Charlie Murphy, comedian and brother to well-known actor Eddie Murphy, has died in a New York City hospital after a battle with leukemia, his manager confirmed Wednesday. He was 57, and the death was “unexpected,” according to his rep.
Murphy was undergoing chemotherapy at the time of his death.
Arguably, some of Murphy’s finest work was as a writer for fellow comedian Dave Chappelle‘s Chappelle’s Show, which ran from 2003 to 2006. He would often appear in sketches alongside Chappelle, which earned Murphy a vast following.
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One sketch in particular, Charlie Murphy’s Hollywood Stories, was an immense fan favourite.
It featured Murphy recounting his adventures in the ’80s (along with his famous brother’s entourage) and his interactions with various celebrities from the era, including Rick James and Prince.
The Rick James sketch in particular is still quoted in pop culture (“I’m Rick James, b***h!”), and Murphy always insisted that his stories had a basis in reality.
Aside from his lengthy touring career as a stand-up comic, Murphy also appeared in various TV shows and movies, including Are We There Yet? and The Boondocks. He worked behind the camera with his brother on many of his films, as well.
He most recently starred in Adult Swim’s Black Jesus.
Notable celebrities were shocked by Murphy’s sudden passing, including Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Ice Cube and other members of the acting and comedy community.
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Murphy was born in Brooklyn, New York, and before he went into showbiz served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 to 1983.
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Murphy is Eddie Murphy’s only sibling. His wife, Tisha Taylor Murphy, died in 2009 after her own battle with cancer. Murphy leaves behind three children. His management is asking the public for privacy during this difficult time.
As of this writing, Eddie Murphy has not commented on his brother’s passing.
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