Eddie Murphy’s remarkable ability for character immersion reached new heights during the filming of “Coming to America,” so much so that Jesse Jackson failed to recognize him in one of his roles, mistaking him for a completely different actor. The comedian’s transformative skills, central to his career, shine as defining features of the Eddie Murphy character transformations that continue to captivate audiences and surprise even his peers.
Murphy’s Disguise in “Coming to America” Leaves Jesse Jackson Stunned
In the 1988 comedy classic “Coming to America,” Eddie Murphy took on several different parts, showcasing his skill at completely embodying distinct identities, including Clarence, the memorable elderly barbershop owner. After the film’s premiere, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson approached him to express gratitude for seemingly giving a break to older Black actors he believed appeared in the movie.
“When we did the original Coming to America, at the afterparty, Jesse Jackson came up to me and he was like, ‘Hey, you know, I wanna say thank you for looking out for some of the older Black actors and putting them in the film, you know, and giving them a shot because those guys are gonna become stars,’”
— Eddie Murphy, as recalled in his Netflix documentary Being Eddie.
Comedian Reveals the True Identity Behind the Barbershop Characters
Murphy later recounted that Jackson had no idea the older men in the barbershop scenes were actually Murphy himself, in heavy makeup and prosthetics.
“I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’”
— Eddie Murphy, Being Eddie.
“He said, ‘Those guys in the barbershop. Man, they’re funny, and those guys will get famous because of this.’”
— Eddie Murphy, Being Eddie.
The revelation came as a shock to Jackson when Murphy finally confessed:
“I was like, ‘Motherf—er, that was me’,”
— Eddie Murphy, Being Eddie.
“And he was like, ‘What? What? That was you? Now I got to go see the movie again.’”
— Eddie Murphy, Being Eddie.
A History of Memorable Transformations and Character Roles
Eddie Murphy had a history with impersonations and transformative roles even before “Coming to America.” Years earlier, he had portrayed Jesse Jackson on a 1984 episode of Saturday Night Live, demonstrating his penchant for both comedic impressions and character work. In “Coming to America,” it was the first time he appeared in multiple roles within a single film, playing not just Prince Akeem Joffer of Zamunda but also Randy Watson, the soul singer, Clarence the barber, and Saul, an elderly Jewish regular—each character sporting distinct voices, personalities, and appearances.
This pioneering effort would become an Eddie Murphy trademark, as he continued to play multiple roles in later movies. He portrayed three characters in “Vampire in Brooklyn” (1995), seven in “The Nutty Professor” (1996), two in “Bowfinger” (1999), eight in “Nutty Professor II: The Klumps” (2000), and three in “Norbit” (2007). Murphy’s costar Arsenio Hall also played several characters in “Coming to America,” and both actors revisited all their roles for the 2021 sequel, “Coming 2 America.”
Murphy’s Philosophy on Character Creation and Makeup
Murphy’s commitment to transformation extends to his vocal work, physicality, and use of elaborate makeup. He shared in his Netflix documentary how inhabiting a character means losing himself completely:
“When I get a voice or a character, the way my voice sounds, I can lose it completely. There’s no sign of my voice. Characters are like real people.”
— Eddie Murphy, Being Eddie.
The roots of his interest in transformative performance trace back to his childhood, drawing inspiration from films like the 1939 adaptation of “Hunchback of Notre Dame” starring Charles Laughton. Watching classic characters change through makeup became a favorite pastime for him, laying the groundwork for his lifelong fascination:
“I’ve always been a fan of makeup movies. There’s some makeup, they turn into another person,”
— Eddie Murphy, Being Eddie.
“I always gravitated to stuff like that. And I watched that stuff over and over and over and over again.”
— Eddie Murphy, Being Eddie.
The Enduring Impact of Murphy’s Transformative Talent
Murphy’s expertise in character transformation has left a lasting influence on both comedic and cinematic traditions, demonstrating how dedication to craft can blur the lines between performer and persona. By astonishing audiences—and even peers like Jesse Jackson—Murphy underscores how deeply authentic and convincing such performances can be. His work continues to inspire admiration for the versatility and creativity behind every elaborate transformation, ensuring that the legacy of Eddie Murphy character transformations remains an unforgettable piece of entertainment history. “Being Eddie” is available for streaming on Netflix, offering an inside look at Murphy’s extraordinary process.
