Edward Regan Murphy, popularly known as Eddie Murphy, is an American actor and comedian who started by doing stand-up comedy shows. Ranking number 10 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time, it was no surprise that he later found his way into acting.
He started getting recognition when he became a regular cast member for the sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” (1980-1984). But what made him rise to worldwide stardom was his 1984 film, “Beverly Hills Cop”. The movie made Eddie Murphy a box-office superstar.
His most notable films include “Dreamgirls” (2006), “Dolemite Is My Name” (2019), “The Nutty Professor” (1996), “Trading Places” (1983), and “Coming to America” (1988).
His hard work and obvious love for his craft weren’t left unnoticed as he had won 44 acting awards (a Grammy Award and an Emmy Award included) and 102 nominations. He also received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2015 and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2023.
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There has been ongoing speculation surrounding Eddie Murphy’s sexual orientation, fueled by rumors, tabloid reports, and public speculation regarding his personal relationships and past remarks, prompting discussions and curiosity among fans and the public. These made people wonder, is Eddie Murphy gay? Let’s find out.
VOTE: What is Eddie Murphy’s Sexuality?
Eddie Murphy’s Eventful Dating History
If there’s one thing to describe Eddie Murphy’s love life, it’s colorful. Did you know that the actor had been through several relationships in the past? And most of these romances were high-profile. That’s no longer a surprise considering the fact that he was one of Hollywood’s A-list actors.
The comedian actually had 10 children from several relationships. There’s no greater joy than fatherhood, he once said.
Things happen in cycles, and right now, I’m in a cycle where there’s no higher blessing than having a child. There’s no sweeter blessing than seeing your grandchild.”
Murphy said after his son Myles welcomed a baby girl in January 2020
Now let’s take a look at the actor’s dating history — from his ex-wife Nicole Murphy, whom he shared five children with, to his 14-day marriage to Tracey Edmonds.
Whitney Houston (mid-1980s)
In spite of the fact that the American singer had been dating Bobby Brown at the time, Whitney Houston was said to have fallen hard for Eddie Murphy. Houston’s friend, Ellen White, once told PEOPLE that The Bodyguard actress once made her friends watch Murphy’s 1988 movie, “Coming to America”, over and over again. That’s how smitten she was with the comedian.
White would also recall how (even in the middle of a party where cameras were flashing around them) Murphy and Houston “looked at each other and talked and laughed like they were the only two people in the room.”
Robyn Crawford, another good friend of Houston, shared in her book, “A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston”, that the singer was more interested in Murphy (more than her then-boyfriend Bobby Brown) but the comedian was elusive.
Crawford also shared that on the day of Houston’s wedding with Brown, she received a call from Murphy, telling her that she was making a mistake.
Nicole Mitchell (1988 – 2005)
Popularly known as Nicole Murphy, Nicole Mitchell was a model. The couple met in 1993 and got married five years later. They had 5 children together — Bria, Shayne, Zola, Bella, and Myles. They were married for 12 years before they filed for divorce in 2005.
The welfare of our children is our main concern and their best interest is our first priority.”
Eddie Murphy said in a statement
The two remained friends after the breakup. In fact, they attended the premiere of their daughter Bria’s film, “Amateur Night” (2016), together.
Eddie and I are friends. He’s my babies’ daddy so we speak to each other and have a great relationship and I think that’s important when you have children involved. We can be in the same room and hang out, it’s all good!”
Nicole said in an interview with Radar Online
Paulette McNeely (1989)
Eddie Murphy briefly dated Paulette McNeely sometime in 1989. There was so little information about the relationship. All the public knows is the fact that she was the mother of Eric Murphy, one of Eddie’s sons. Eric was born just four months before Bria Murphy, Eddie’s eldest daughter with wife, Nicole.
Tamara Hood (1990)
The comedian was also linked to Tamara Hood sometime in 1990. They also have a son together, Christian Murphy, who was born November the same year.
Melanie Brown (2006)
Popularly known as Spice Girl Mel B, Melanie Brown had a brief romance with the comedian in 2006. They shared one daughter together, Angel Iris Murphy Brown, whom Murphy denied paternity at first. Brown, however, insisted that it wasn’t an accident. It was a planned pregnancy and they, in fact, intended to get married and start a family together.
This was a completely planned pregnancy. This wasn’t some random, ‘Oops I fell over and I’m pregnant.’ I don’t live my life like that. … As soon as I had my IUD removed we proceeded to get pregnant. It happened quicker than we expected but it was perfect timing.”
Melanie Brown told Essence in a 2007 interview
In an interview with Larry King, Brown shared that what they had was real. It may be short, but it was genuine.
Our relationship may have been brief but it was intense. We were very much in love and wanted to have a family together. That’s that. I mean we’re both tattooed. You don’t tattoo somebody’s name on your body if it’s brief and unimportant, let’s put it that way.”
Murphy confirmed his paternity through a DNA test. However, Brown sued him for sole legal and physical custody of their daughter.
It was messy at first, but it eventually ended well between them. Brown shared that Murphy was an amazing father to their daughter and that Angel loved her dad, too. She sometimes stays with him when Brown has to work.
She (Angel) texts Eddie and is on the phone with him all the time. She loves her dad.”
In an interview with the press for her book Brutally Honest which was released in November 2018, Melanie Brown admitted that the comedian was the love of her life.
He always will be. I mean, I’ve never really spoken about it before, so this book, I wanted to address it because a lot of people have a misconstrued thing of how everything actually did happen. And at the end of the day we have a beautiful daughter together, Angel, who is 11 years old, and she’s actually staying with him right now whilst I’m here working.”
Tracey Edmonds (2007)
Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds took “whirlwind romance” too literally. They were married for 14 days!
The couple got engaged in 2007.
We want to make it fun and casual — small.”
Edmonds told the press when asked about the wedding details
They held the wedding on a private French Polynesian island on January 1, 2008.
“It was simply perfect,” Edmonds said to describe the wedding — which almost didn’t happen because of the heavy downpour. They just ran to the beach when the rain stopped for a short while and just barely finished the ceremony before it started raining again.
It must be a bad omen since they got separated just two weeks after the wedding. The wedding guests told PEOPLE that Murphy didn’t look like he was that invested in the wedding. The couple was even said to be fighting the entire time.
After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forgo having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further. While the recent symbolic union in Bora Bora was representative of our deep love, friendship and respect that we have for one another on a spiritual level, we have decided to remain friends.”
Murphy and Edmonds said in a combined statement
Paige Butcher (2012 – present)
The actor started dating Australian model Paige Butcher in 2012. They had their first child, Izzy Oona Murphy, in 2016. The couple welcomed their second child (Murphy’s tenth), Max Charles Murphy, in 2018. The couple was reported to be engaged a few months before Butcher gave birth to their son.
A source told PEOPLE that the couple wished to give their daughter a younger sibling. The same source also revealed that Paige Butcher was very close to Eddie Murphy’s children.
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Eddie Murphy’s Sexuality
It’s funny how some fans doubt the comedian’s sexuality, considering how eventful his love life was — having been linked to several high-profile women all throughout his life.
While it was obvious that the actor was not gay, he was, however, involved in some homophobic issues in the past. The comedian was found to have made comedic content for gay people in the early days of his career as a stand-up comedian. Some of his comedy material from the 80s is said to have included derogatory remarks against gay people. He even said insensitive jokes about AIDS which was rampant among the gay community at that time.
The comedian later apologized for the derogatory remarks and insensitive jokes he had made toward the gay community. He blamed it on his ignorance.
Just like the rest of the world, I am more educated about AIDS in 1996 than I was in 1981. I think it’s unfair to take the words of a misinformed 21-year-old and apply them to an informed 35-year-old man.”
Eddie Murphy said in his apology statement
Is Eddie Murphy Gay?
No, Eddie Murphy is not gay. It’s ridiculous how these gay rumors about him have not died down when it is evident, based on his eventful dating history, that he has always been into women. The comedian has been married twice and has fathered 10 children from several relationships. His dating history alone is enough to put all those gay rumors to rest.