By Charlie Murphy
Simon Spotlight Entertainment
240 pages
$24.99
There’s a lot to Charlie Murphy, as evident by his autobiography “Charlie Murphy: The Making of a Stand-Up Guy,” which was released Tuesday. Comedian, writer, actor, security detail and former Navy man are all part of his resume.
But the one descriptive term that still grates on Murphy is what many still know him mainly by: He’s Eddie Murphy’s brother.
“There was a time in my life when it would get annoying,” said Murphy during a recent phone interview. Considering the success he’s had on his own, “It’s really frustrating for people to still do that now.”
“I appreciate all the love,” he added.
That Charlie, 50, has yet to reach the heights of his younger brother is true, but Charlie has carved out a career of his own.
Other than his fraternal relations, Murphy is probably best know for his hilarious role on “Chappelle’s Show,” relaying his adventures with Rick James. Dave Chappelle yelling “CharlieMurphyyyy” quickly became a part of pop culture.
Murphy also wrote the movie “Norbit,” though while not a critical success, did well at the box office.
But it’s been more recently that Murphy started his stand-up comedy routine.
“I’m all of those things,” Murphy said. “My first foray into the business was writing. With comedy, that’s an extension of that. My acting has benefited from my stand up, and my stand up has benefited from my acting.”
Lately, he’s focused mainly on his stand up.
“I eat, sleep and breath comedy now,” Murphy said.
Murphy’s book addresses his life growing up in Brooklyn and then Long Island, his relationships with his father and his stepfather, time in jail, Navy career, working as security for Eddie, writing screenplays, acting and finally doing stand up.
“Basically, I want them to get a better understanding of me,” Murphy said of what he hopes readers get from the book.
One theme throughout the book is Murphy’s ability to adapt to different situations, be it in jail, on a ship in the service or on a comedy stage for the first time.
“For whatever reason, when I’m challenged, I learn really quick to assimilate,” Murphy said. His time in the Navy was a major challenge, encountering racism like he hadn’t experienced before. “I hadn’t been around many people different than me. It forced me to grow up really fast.”
Even switching from the discipline of his Navy years to doing security for his brother in the ’80s wasn’t a big deal.
“It wasn’t that difficult at all,” Murphy said. “At the end of the day, I can adapt to the situation.”
Murphy was first approached about doing a book shortly after the Chappelle skits hit it big. He balked at first. But with the success of his stand-up career, he felt the time was right.
“I felt I had grown as a comedian,” said Murphy. “I felt more comfortable after my experience on the road.”
And what’s the message he hopes readers get from the book?
“If you give up, you’ll never know how close you came to winning the game.”
