Charlie Murphy

The massive success of Chappelle’s Show was due largely to Dave Chappelle’s quirky sensibility and skewed take on race. But several of the program’s most enduring pieces—most notably, “I’m Rick James, bitch!”—were the brainchild of co-star and Eddie Murphy-sibling Charlie Murphy. Since the release of Chappelle’s Show on DVD, Murphy’s cross-cultural appeal has increased both in and out of that shadow. His live act remains chatty and conventionally funny, as showcased in his 2010 Comedy Central special, I Will Not Apologize. He also dug into his comedic and personal history with the 2009 memoir, The Making Of A Stand-Up Guy, and appears alongside his brother in the 2011 comedy Tower Heist.

Updated 02/22/2012