--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A Murphy [Eddie Murphy] movie is like a…" description: "\"A Murphy [Eddie Murphy] movie is like a Sidney Poitier comedy - he's that intensely good... He revolutionized acting. He's literally black Brando. Befo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/scott-raab-19060_acting_a-murphy-eddie-murphy-movie-is-like-a-si_2423987.jpg" --- # A Murphy \[Eddie Murphy\] movie is like a Sidney Poitier… ![“A Murphy [Eddie Murphy] movie is like a Sidney Poitier comedy - he's that intensely good... He revolutionized acting. He's literally black Brando. Before Eddie Murphy, there were two schools of acting for a black actor: Either you played it LIKE THIS or youplayeditlahkdis. He was the first black…” quote by Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/scott-raab-19060_acting_a-murphy-eddie-murphy-movie-is-like-a-si_2423987.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/scott-raab-19060_acting_a-murphy-eddie-murphy-movie-is-like-a-si_2423987.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/536/scott-raab-19060_acting_a-murphy-eddie-murphy-movie-is-like-a-si_2423987.jpg) > “A Murphy \[Eddie Murphy\] movie is like a Sidney Poitier comedy - he's that intensely good... He revolutionized acting. He's literally black Brando. Before Eddie Murphy, there were two schools of acting for a black actor: Either you played it LIKE THIS or youplayeditlahkdis. He was the first black guy in a movie to talk like I am talking right now. That did not exist for black actors before him.” [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Eddie Murphy broke acting stereotypes for Black performers, blending humor and dramatic depth, reshaping industry expectations. **In simple terms:** Murphy changed how Black actors can act, mixing comedy and drama. Key Takeaway Recognize pioneering talent. Themes representation innovation film history racial dynamics Mood reflective inspirational Type historical analytical When to use this quote - casting decisions - film studies - diversity initiatives Key Concepts typecasting cultural impact artistic evolution Questions to Reflect On - How did Murphy’s style differ from peers? - What barriers remain for Black actors today? A Different Perspective His influence may be overstated compared to other pioneers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Acting Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting-black-2905605/) [Actors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actors/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-actor/) [Black Brando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-brando-6144377/) [Black guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-guys/) [Brando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brando/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Eddie murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eddie-murphy/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guy/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murphy/) [Murphy Eddie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murphy-eddie-6144376/) [Murphy Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murphy-movie-3611150/) [Right now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-now/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Sidney Poitier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sidney-poitier/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) ## Related quotes > [Art should be witty, like a good Eddie Murphy movie, to make your life a little easier and better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-quigley/art-should-be-witty-like-a-good-eddie-murphy-movie-to-make-your-life/) [William Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-quigley/) > [You cannot act a color. Do not tell me I'm acting black, because I'm not. I'm acting whatever you want to call it -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-bregoli/you-cannot-act-a-color-do-not-tell-me-i-m-acting-black-because-i-m/) [Danielle Bregoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-bregoli/) > [I know I'm a black actor, but really, I'm an actor who happens to be black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephan-james/i-know-i-m-a-black-actor-but-really-i-m-an-actor-who-happens-to-be/) [Stephan James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephan-james/) > [It's great to be black in Hollywood. When a black actor does something, it seems new and different just by virtue of the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/it-s-great-to-be-black-in-hollywood-when-a-black-actor-does-something/) [Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/) > [I don't see myself as a 'black actor,' I'm just Shemar Moore the actor. I'm very proud to be black, but I'm just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shemar-moore/i-don-t-see-myself-as-a-black-actor-i-m-just-shemar-moore-the-actor-i/) [Shemar Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shemar-moore/) > [I was lucky to get into drama school and become a professional actor. No-one ever mentioned the colour of my skin. It's only when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harewood/i-was-lucky-to-get-into-drama-school-and-become-a-professional-actor/) [David Harewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harewood/) > [I was reluctant to play Othello. It seemed like such a 'black actor' cliche, but when I finally did, in my 40s, I related…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paterson-joseph/i-was-reluctant-to-play-othello-it-seemed-like-such-a-black-actor/) [Paterson Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paterson-joseph/) > [A black actor is perfect for 'Kojak.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-hammer/a-black-actor-is-perfect-for-kojak/) [Bonnie Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-hammer/) > [You know what? I never really factor Hollywood into anything. I'm a black actor, so I can't really control what Hollywood thinks. I gotta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-foxx/you-know-what-i-never-really-factor-hollywood-into-anything-i-m-a/) [Jamie Foxx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-foxx/) > [I believe it's important to have equal opportunities as a black actor. My way of fighting for it is through my art, by not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-kirby/i-believe-it-s-important-to-have-equal-opportunities-as-a-black-actor/) [Malachi Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-kirby/) > [I never thought about being the first black actor to win, even though everybody else talked about that. If I stop to think as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-sy/i-never-thought-about-being-the-first-black-actor-to-win-even-though/) [Omar Sy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-sy/) > [As a black actor, you always have the feeling that there's not as much work out there as for a white counterpart, but is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-missick/as-a-black-actor-you-always-have-the-feeling-that-there-s-not-as-much/) [Dorian Missick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-missick/) > [You get into these executive offices, and people say, 'Oh, we have this project. Wait a minute, guys, we need diversity - let's choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldis-hodge/you-get-into-these-executive-offices-and-people-say-oh-we-have-this/) [Aldis Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldis-hodge/) > [The pilots I did test for, I was the only black actor testing against white actors for parts that were written white.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-august-richards/the-pilots-i-did-test-for-i-was-the-only-black-actor-testing-against/) [J. August Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-august-richards/) > [ We \[black actors\] are more respected in Europe, because in Europe, I'm not a black actor - I'm an action star. In America, I'm… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-williamson/we-black-actors-are-more-respected-in-europe-because-in-europe-i-m/) [Fred Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-williamson/) ## More by Scott Raab > [One of the wonderful things about Portlandia - and I'm not just blowing smoke, although I can blow smoke, but I'm not - is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/one-of-the-wonderful-things-about-portlandia-and-i-m-not-just-blowing/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [I did a thing called 24 Hour Plays, a thing they do every year on Broadway. A bunch of playwrights and actors get together,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/i-did-a-thing-called-24-hour-plays-a-thing-they-do-every-year-on/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [The Clash, in particular, transcends any category.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/the-clash-in-particular-transcends-any-category/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [Somebody'll be me, tomorrow or whenever. I've been doing this awhile. My time's limited. I've been doing this awhile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/somebody-ll-be-me-tomorrow-or-whenever-i-ve-been-doing-this-awhile-my/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [ I said \[to my mom\], "I want to go to the parachute regiment." She said, "Whew, that's tough. But okay, I understand." ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/i-said-to-my-mom-i-want-to-go-to-the-parachute-regiment-she-said-whew/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [For each show, we do maybe 15 versions before it goes on air. So I know every show microscopically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/for-each-show-we-do-maybe-15-versions-before-it-goes-on-air-so-i-know/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [Pro Publica distorts the relationship between organizations and their consultants,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/pro-publica-distorts-the-relationship-between-organizations-and-their/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [If you are the leader, you don't have the right to say things like "Ugh, didn't eat this week I was so busy." "Haven't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/if-you-are-the-leader-you-don-t-have-the-right-to-say-things-like-ugh/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [A movie is a miracle, even if it turns out to be a disappointment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/a-movie-is-a-miracle-even-if-it-turns-out-to-be-a-disappointment/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [I think there's a core of real anger or misery inside every true stand-up comic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/i-think-there-s-a-core-of-real-anger-or-misery-inside-every-true/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [One of the best compliments I ever got was "You know what I like about you? You're smart enough to be scared. So many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/one-of-the-best-compliments-i-ever-got-was-you-know-what-i-like-about/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [My dad is a little Scottish guy with tattoos all over his arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/my-dad-is-a-little-scottish-guy-with-tattoos-all-over-his-arms/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [The comics I've talked to have varied styles as stand-ups, but the throughline is that it's the most intense thing they've ever done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/the-comics-i-ve-talked-to-have-varied-styles-as-stand-ups-but-the/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [ I remember when I had my show \[The Chris Rock Show on HBO\], I used to run my show. It was so hard to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/i-remember-when-i-had-my-show-the-chris-rock-show-on-hbo-i-used-to/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) > [I'm consciously working very hard at not eating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-raab/i-m-consciously-working-very-hard-at-not-eating/) [Scott Raab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) [Explore all 33 Scott Raab quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-raab/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) [Ryan Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-newman/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. 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