5 Times Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Proved To Be Bros For Life
Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall are not just incredible collaborators on the big-screen but in real life, they are best friends. In fact, the two have known each other for almost 40 years, dating back to their time as young comedians coming up in Los Angeles. Since being introduced to each other by another legend, Keenan Ivory Wayans, the pair have been inseparable and always in support of each other through the highs and lows of life.
The comedic electricity that Murphy and Hall create has produced some of the most iconic moments in film history. So when it came time for Eddie Murphy to be inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame, his man Arsenio was more than happy to do the honors. Murphy and Hall are royalty not only in Black culture, but in comedy history as well.
To pay homage to these giants of comedy, we at BET.com came up with 5 Times Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall Proved To Be Bros For Life.
Arsenio Is The Godfather of Eddie’s Oldest Daughter Bria
Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall’s relationship exists even when the cameras aren’t rolling. They are boys for real. So much so that Arsenio is the Godfather of Eddie Murphy’s oldest daughter, Bria. For Murphy to entrust Arsenio with such an honor speaks to the special bond that they share. But for Bria, it must be hella cool to have Arsenio Hall as her Godfather!
The Coming To America Franchise
By 1988, Eddie Murphy was one of the biggest stars in the world with several blockbuster films to his credit. Arsenio Hall was on the rise as a fill-in host on The Joan Rivers Show and host of The Late Show on the then-new Fox network. When the two joined forces on Coming To America, a comedy classic was born. Not only did they play Prince Akeem (Murphy) and his loyal servant Semmi (Hall), but a good many of the movie’s other cast of characters, from Randy Watson to Rev. Brown. More than 30 years later, they would reprise their roles and their hilarious alter egos in the sequel, Coming 2 America.
The Duo Worked Together On Harlem Nights
While we all remember Murphy and Hall’s performances in the Coming To America films, but Harlem Nights is another classic featuring the two stars. In one of the funniest scenes of the movie, Quick (Murphy) is on the run when the rival gangster’s muscle man, Tommy Smalls is murdered. Smalls’ brother (Hall) believes Quick had a hand in the killing. For his epic crying and hilarious clowning of his partner's miniature firearm, Arsenio Hall probably should have won his own Image Award.
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Eddie Murphy Was a Frequent Guest On The Arsenio Hall Show
Although Johnny Carson was hosting The Tonight Show, Black America was tuning into the baddest, coolest show on late-night, The Arsenio Hall Show. From January 3, 1989, until May 27, 1994, The Arsenio Hall Show was must-see T.V. Hall brought all the musicians and actors we loved onto his interview couch and performance stage. But when Eddie Murphy is your main man, you know he’s going to come through and support. Whether he was promoting his newest project or just wanted to laugh it up with his homie, Murphy was a frequent guest on The Arsenio Hall Show. In the words of Auntie Dionne Warrick, “That’s What Friends Are For.”
They Started “The Black Pack”
Back in the late 80s when Eddie Murphy was rocking leather outfits and Arsenio Hall had a flattop, they formed “The Black Pack.” The crew was essentially the hottest Black content creators on the scene at the time. “We have a group that I like to call the Black Pack,” Murphy said. “We basically hang out together, and bounce ideas off each other.” Members of the clique were Murphy, Hall, Paul Mooney, Robert Townsend, and Keenan Ivory Wayans. All members of the Black Pack were comedians, actors, writers, producers, and directors who came to prominence in Hollywood during the around the same time and they’ve become icons in their own right. Besides, the name “Black Pack” is mad fly.
