US EditionIconic comedian was nearly talked out of giving crucial Oscars speech
Eddie Murphy ignored Robin Williams' advice and highlighted the Academy's low recognition of Black actors, noting only three had won Oscars by 1988, with 23 total awarded since.
- On Tuesday, Eddie Murphy said Robin Williams questioned his Oscars speech, asking `But why go there?`, during a backstage exchange recounted to Entertainment Weekly.
- Murphy planned the remark because he initially declined to present, saying `I'm not going because they haven't recognized Black people in motion pictures` and wanted to highlight only three Black actors had won Oscars.
- Murphy framed the remark with an impression of his manager, using the `caboose` metaphor while saying he wanted to be funny and have a little edge during his onstage delivery at the presentation of Best Picture.
- Ignoring Robin Williams, Murphy went onstage and delivered the bit that got laughs before announcing Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor as Best Picture.
- The reporting suggests broader effects, noting Murphy's words may have had some impact as Black actors like Denzel Washington, Whoopi Goldberg, and Cuba Gooding Jr. won Oscars, with 23 total awarded since 1929 and Da'Vine Joy Randolph winning last year.
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11 Articles
The Independent
The Independent (US)Eddie Murphy says Robin Williams tried to dissuade him against critical Oscar speech
Murphy presented the Best Picture trophy at the 1988 Academy Awards
Eddie Murphy Was Warned Before Calling Out Oscars For Snubbing Black Talent
Eddie Murphy has revealed that Robin Williams tried to talk him out of making his now-famous remarks at the 1988 Academy Awards, when he publicly criticized the Oscars for failing to recognize Black performers. In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Murphy recalled being backstage moments before presenting the Best Picture award. “I remember being with Robin Williams backstage,” he said. “I was like, ‘I’m gonna say this.’ And he goes to m…
cassiuslife.com
Eddie Murphy Says Robin Williams Questioned Him Over Speech About Oscars Lacking Black Winners
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Eddie Murphy has been making the rounds to promote his Netflix documentary, Being Eddie, and in the process, he pulled back the curtains on a moment he shared with a fellow comedy legend. While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Murphy recalled preparing his speech when he was tapped to present an award at the 1988 Oscars, and Robin Williams disagreed with his idea of mentioning that the Oscars didn’t acknowledg…
Nearly four decades ago, Eddie Murphy decided to use his time on the Oscar podium to criticize the Academy for turning its back on black actors.
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