At the American Film Institute Gala Tribute in Hollywood, Eddie Murphy was the recepient of the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award, America’s highest honor for a career in film from the American Film Institute (AFI).
Byron Allen, Jerry Bruckheimer, Colman Domingo, David Alan Grier, Sugar Ray Leonard were some of the attendees who came to support Murphy as he received the award at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.
The event featured tributes honoring Murphy, including speeches from Dave Chappelle, Arsenio Hall, Kevin Hart, Martin Lawrence, Eva Longoria, Tracy Morgan, Mike Myers, Chris Rock, Robert Townsend and Stevie Wonder.
“Eddie and I have Brooklyn in our blood. However, Eddie and I took different paths,” shared Spike Lee who presented Eddie with his accolade. “He made us laugh and made our nation feel better. I took a camera and told stories about how our nation could be better. We both push culture forward. We’re still not even done.”
Murphy has starred in more than 70 films and with “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Daddy Day Care,” he is on a very short list of actors who have starred in multiple $100 million-grossing pictures over the past three decades.
The event will premiere on Netflix on May 31, 2026.
