The NAACP has announced that legendary entertainer and film icon Eddie Murphy will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame during this year’s ceremony.
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
The 52nd edition of the NAACP Image Awards, which honours the accomplishments of people of colour in the fields of television, music, literature and film, will air live on BET and simulcast across ViacomCBS networks on Saturday 27 March.
The Hall of Fame Award, which will be presented by Eddie Murphy’s collaborator and long-time friend Arsenio Hall, is bestowed on an individual who is a pioneer in his or her respective field and whose influence will shape the profession for generations to come. As one of the most commercially successful actors in the history of the motion picture business, Murphy has entertained and kept audiences laughing for over 40 years.
Murphy began his career doing stand-up comedy as a teenager and later joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. At age 21, Murphy starred in the box-office hit 48 Hours, and went on to star in more than 70 films including Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Harlem Nights, The Nutty Professor, Dr. Dolittle Shrek, Dreamgirls, Dolemite Is My Name, and Coming 2 America, which secured the number one opening weekend of any streaming movie in the past year. An Academy Award nominee, he has been recognized for his work with two NAACP Image Awards, as well as Golden Globe, Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, and Grammy Awards.
“Eddie Murphy’s work continues to bring joy and laughter to individuals around the world, and he is an amazing example of Black excellence, creativity, and artistry.”
Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP: “We are honoured to celebrate one of the most influential comedic geniuses in the entertainment industry and an individual who has inspired a generation of Black talent. To this day, Eddie Murphy’s work continues to bring joy and laughter to individuals around the world, and he is an amazing example of Black excellence, creativity, and artistry.”
Image Award Outstanding Female Artist nominee Jazmine Sullivan will perform along with Grammy Award-winning singer Maxwell, who will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut album Urban Hang Suite during the awards.
Presenters for the live show include Alicia Keys, Andra Day, Arsenio Hall, Cynthia Erivo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michelle Obama, Misty Copeland, Regina King, Samuel L. Jackson, the cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas, Swizz Beatz, and Tracy Morgan.
Visit the NAACP website here.
