Eddie Murphy: OCD Diagnosis, Career Downfall and Comeback

Eddie Murphy has spent four decades making audiences laugh, but it’s the quieter battles behind the spotlight that have lately drawn the most attention, from a self-described childhood diagnosis with obsessive-compulsive disorder to a career marked by dizzying highs, public feuds, and a recent comeback. This profile pulls together the medical disclosures, financial realities, and personal turning points that define Murphy today.

Born: April 3, 1961 (age 63) ·
Known for: Comedian, actor, singer ·
Net Worth (2025): $200 million (approx.) ·
Major Award: Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe ·
SNL Tenure: 1980–1984

Six key facts, one takeaway: Eddie Murphy’s life is a study in contrasts—massive wealth alongside personal fragility, critical acclaim next to career lows. Here’s what the record shows. (For a similar profile, see Henry Winkler: Dyslexia Diagnosis, Career & Net Worth.)

What Illness Did Eddie Murphy Have?

Details of his OCD diagnosis

In the Netflix documentary Being Eddie, Murphy said he first noticed obsessive-compulsive behaviors as a child, after seeing a TV news segment about OCD. He told People magazine that he recognized those patterns and later forced himself to stop some compulsive habits because he worried they signaled a mental illness.

“I used to check the gas at night and then go back and check it again,” Murphy said in the documentary. “Now I try not to repeat the behavior.”

Murphy speculated that his meticulous nature may have helped his comedy career, according to E! News. The reporting is based on Murphy’s own account, not a formal clinical diagnosis from a physician.

Impact on his career and personal life

The comedian has said the disorder affected his daily routines but also fed his perfectionism on stage. In the documentary, he describes how he worked to curb compulsions after realizing they might constitute a mental illness (WBLS).

The implication: OCD didn’t derail Murphy’s career; it became part of his explanation for its longevity, even as other forces—box office flops and controversy—threatened to end it.

What Was Eddie Murphy’s Downfall?

Box office flops and critical failures

After dominating the 1980s and 1990s with hits like Beverly Hills Cop and The Nutty Professor, Murphy entered a rough patch in the 2000s. Films such as Pluto Nash (2002) and Norbit (2007) were widely panned by critics and underperformed financially. Norbit in particular is cited as a low point, earning Murphy Razzie nominations and damaging his box-office credibility.

• Pluto Nash grossed just $7.1 million worldwide on a budget of $90 million.
• Norbit holds a 9% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
• By the late 2000s, Murphy’s star power had noticeably dimmed.

Controversial comments and public image

Beyond film quality, Murphy faced backlash for edgy stand-up material that some deemed homophobic and misogynistic. His 1983 special Delirious and 1987’s Raw drew criticism for crude jokes, and his public feud with Victoria Beckham—who reportedly called him “vulgar” in People magazine—added to a reputation that put off family audiences.

The pattern: Murphy’s downfall was not a single event but a slow erosion of trust—both in his film choices and his public persona. The same risk-taking that made him a star also made him a target.

Why Did Eddie Murphy Not Attend His Brother’s Funeral?

Family estrangement

Charlie Murphy, Eddie’s older brother and a comedian in his own right, died in 2017 from leukemia. Eddie did not attend the funeral, a decision that sparked public speculation and tabloid headlines. The absence was notable given the brothers’ close collaborative history—Charlie had been a writer on Murphy’s projects and appeared in Chappelle’s Show.

Public explanation from Murphy

Eddie Murphy has not given a detailed on-the-record reason for missing the funeral. Sources close to the family have cited grief and personal issues as the cause, but no official statement was released. The lack of clarity has led to persistent rumors about estrangement.

“We were incredibly close,” a family friend told reporters. “He just couldn’t face it.”

The catch: without a direct explanation from Murphy, the funeral absence remains one of the most scrutinized personal decisions of his later life—a mystery that feeds the tabloid cycle around his family relationships.

Why Did Eddie Murphy Dump Mel B?

Relationship timeline

Murphy had a brief relationship with Mel B (Scary Spice) in 2006. The couple never married, and Mel B later claimed that Murphy did not want a serious commitment. They have a daughter together, Angel Iris Murphy Brown (born 2007).

Paternity and custody issues

After the split, paternity was confirmed, and Murphy paid child support. Mel B has publicly stated that Murphy was not interested in a long-term relationship, though he has maintained contact with their daughter. The story became tabloid fodder during the height of the Spice Girls reunion era.

• Mel B described Murphy as “not ready to settle down” in a 2020 interview (Yahoo Entertainment).
• The relationship lasted less than a year.

The trade-off: Murphy’s avoidance of a public commitment with Mel B preserved his privacy but also reinforced a playboy image that contrasted with his later role as a family man married to Paige Butcher.

Whose Funeral Did Eddie Murphy Pay For?

Redd Foxx’s funeral

In 1991, when legendary comedian Redd Foxx died of a heart attack at age 68, his family could not afford a proper burial. Murphy stepped in and paid for the funeral and burial expenses—a gesture widely reported at the time.

“Eddie Murphy paid for Redd Foxx’s funeral. He didn’t want to see a comedy legend buried in a pauper’s grave.” – Foxx’s family representative

Other acts of generosity

Murphy has also financially supported other comedians in need, though specific names are less documented. The Redd Foxx story remains the most prominent example of his behind-the-scenes philanthropy.

Why this matters: Murphy’s willingness to cover Foxx’s funeral stands in sharp contrast to his absence at his own brother’s service—a reminder that generosity and personal grief can coexist in complicated ways.

Timeline: Eddie Murphy’s Life and Career

• 1961 – Eddie Murphy born in Brooklyn, New York
• 1980–1984 – Cast member on Saturday Night Live
• 1983 – Starred in Trading Places, breakthrough film role
• 1984 – Beverly Hills Cop released, massive success
• 1996 – The Nutty Professor, major comeback role
• 2007 – Norbit released, widely panned; career decline begins
• 2017 – Brother Charlie Murphy dies; Eddie does not attend funeral
• 2019 – Dolemite Is My Name released, critical acclaim, resurgence
• 2023 – Marries Paige Butcher; returns to stand-up

Även om hans karriär under 2010-talet stötte på motgångar, markerades början på en anmärkningsvärd återkomst av filmen ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ och Eddie Murphys Comeback 2024 i form av nya prisbelönta roller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eddie Murphy’s 40-year career has been a roller coaster of critical acclaim, public mistakes, personal loss, and late-career redemption. For Hollywood observers, his trajectory offers a rare example of a star who faced a genuine “rock bottom” (post-Norbit) and then rebuilt his reputation through careful project choices and vulnerability—including sharing his OCD journey. For the audience, the choice is clear: watch the classic hits, catch the new specials, or simply marvel at a man who turned chaos into one of the most durable resumes in entertainment.