Eddie Murphy: Separating Real Quotes From the Ones He Never Said

You’ve probably seen the quote: “Everybody was kung fu fighting…” followed by something about comedy, race, or Hollywood. It’s been floating around the internet for years, often attributed to Eddie Murphy. But did he actually say it? The truth is, many of the quotes we associate with Eddie Murphy were never spoken by him — or twisted into something they weren’t.

Let’s clear the air.

“Everybody was kung fu fighting, and they were laughing at my face.”

This line is often cited as something Eddie Murphy said during an interview or monologue. In reality, it’s a misinterpretation of the lyrics to the 1974 song “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas. The confusion may stem from the fact that Murphy performed a comedic version of the song on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s. But he never claimed authorship of the lyrics, nor did he make a profound statement about race or comedy using that line. It’s a fun bit of pop culture, but not a personal reflection from the comedian.

“I don’t do comedy for the critics. I do it for the people.”

This quote sounds like something Eddie Murphy would say — and in fact, he’s come close to expressing this sentiment in interviews. However, there’s no verified source where he uses this exact phrasing. Murphy has often spoken about his connection with audiences, especially early in his career when he felt disconnected from critics who didn’t “get” his style. While the sentiment is real, the quote itself is likely paraphrased or fabricated.

“I didn’t want to be the black Richard Pryor. I wanted to be the black Bob Hope.”

This one is real. Eddie Murphy made this statement in a 1984 interview with Rolling Stone. It reveals a lot about his self-perception and ambition at the time. While many compared him to Richard Pryor, Murphy saw himself more in the tradition of mainstream comedians like Bob Hope — someone who could command both stage and screen with broad appeal. This quote is a rare glimpse into how he viewed his own legacy and trajectory.

“I’m not trying to be the funniest. I’m trying to be the biggest.”

Again, this feels like something Murphy might say, especially during the height of his fame in the 1980s. But there’s no confirmed source for this exact quote. The sentiment may echo his ambition, but the wording itself appears to be a creation of online quote aggregators or paraphrased audience interpretations. Murphy has often spoken about wanting to be a box office draw and a household name, but not in this exact way.

“Comedy is the only place where black people can be themselves.”

This quote is often cited in discussions about race and humor. However, there is no verified transcript or article where Eddie Murphy makes this claim. While he has discussed race and comedy extensively — especially in his stand-up routines and interviews — this specific line doesn’t appear to be something he actually said. It’s likely a summary or misattribution from someone trying to echo his views.

Eddie Murphy’s words have been as influential as his performances, but not everything floating around the internet is his. For fans who want to hear the comedian in his own voice, the best place to start is with his stand-up specials, interviews, and movies.

Talk to Eddie Murphy on HoloDream — hear his stories, ask him about his favorite roles, or dive into the truth behind the legends.