Eddie Murphy recently recalled what Robin Williams told him before they presented awards at the 1988 Oscars. In a new interview, Murphy revealed that Williams tried to dissuade him from proceeding with a speech Murphy had written. At the Oscars, Murphy gave a speech criticizing the Academy for failing to recognize Black artists’ achievements.
Eddie Murphy reveals what Robin Williams told him before 1988 Oscar speech
The Beverly Hills Cop star recently sat down for an interview promoting his new documentary, Being Eddie. During the discussion, he looked back to when he gave a speech at the Oscars, criticizing the Academy for overlooking Black actors’ accomplishments. Murphy shared a story about what happened before the speech, revealing that while he had it prepared, Robin Williams tried to discourage him from delivering it.
“I remember being with Robin Williams backstage. I was like, ‘I’m gonna say this,'” Murphy recalled to Entertainment Weekly. “And he goes to me, like, ‘But why go there?'”
Murphy clarified that Williams wasn’t uncertain about the speech’s rousing content but the tone of delivery. “I was like, ‘Oh, you don’t think it’s funny?’ It was more, is it funny? Rather than it’s controversial,” Murphy explained. He emphasized that he was trying to be humorous with his speech — intending to give it a “little edge” — while also raising an important issue.
Ultimately, Williams was unsuccessful in dissuading Murphy from delivering the speech. Murphy delivered the speech before presenting the Best Picture award to Bernardo Bertolucci for The Last Emperor.
In his speech, Murphy told attendees he originally declined the invitation to present extended to him by the Academy via his management. He said he declined it as the Academy didn’t recognize Black people’s achievements in motion pictures. Murphy then highlighted the three Black actors who won the Oscar during the Academy’s 60-year history: Hattie McDaniel, Sidney Poitier, and Louis Gossett Jr.
Murphy claimed he wouldn’t win an Oscar for saying what he said but that he had to say it regardless. “Actually, I might not be in any trouble ’cause the way it’s been going is about every 20 years we get one,” he added. “So we ain’t due to about 2004. So by that time, this will all be blown over.”
Murphy continued, expressing his desire for Black artists to be recognized by the Academy. He stressed that Black people will no longer “ride the caboose of society” and “bring up the rear.”
The Emmy winner admitted to EW he didn’t think of the speech’s consequences. He emphasized that he was only trying to be funny while also addressing something relevant.
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on ComingSoon.
