Netflix and the American Film Institute have announced that “The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy” will premiere on the streaming platform on May 31, marking the first time the prestigious ceremony will be made available on Netflix. It's also a first-time honor for a Saturday Night Live star.
The honor itself will be presented to former Saturday Night Live cast member Eddie Murphy during a gala ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 18. The award recognizes Murphy’s decades-long career as both a box office powerhouse and a defining comedic voice in film.
The AFI Life Achievement Award celebrates individuals whose work has significantly advanced the art of film and made a lasting impact. Screen legends like John Ford, Orson Welles, and Bette Davis were among the first to receive the award when it began in the 1970s. More recent recipients include Francis Ford Coppola, Nicole Kidman, and Denzel Washington.
Given that elite company, it's no surprise that Murphy will join the list. Murphy’s career achievements span generations. He's an Emmy Award winner, and he earned a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for his supporting role in Dreamgirls, which also earned an Academy Award nomination. His filmography includes iconic hits such as 48 Hrs., Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor, and the Shrek series.
Before his film success, Murphy rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian in 1980 and quickly became a breakout star on Saturday Night Live, joining the cast at just 19 years old. Arguably no other cast member could match Murphy's star power during his prime on SNL, and he helped define what a performer could accomplish once leaving the sketch series.
Murphy inspired an entire generation of comedians thanks to his success on Saturday Night Live and in the movies. Fellow SNL alumni Chris Rock and Pete Davidson cite Murphy as an influence, as have SNL hosts like Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart.
With this recognition, Murphy becomes the first former Saturday Night Live cast member to receive the AFI Life Achievement Award and one of a select group of comedians to be honored. Past comedic recipients include Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Mel Brooks, Steve Martin, and Diane Keaton.
The upcoming special is expected to feature tributes from Murphy’s collaborators and fellow stars from the comedy world. It's another opportunity to celebrate a career that has shaped modern comedy and left an everlasting mark on Hollywood.