'I Forced Myself to Stop': Eddie Murphy Recalls Retiring Trademark Laugh

Eddie Murphy's trademark laugh from the 1980s may have been a part of the original Beverly Hills Cop, but that's one element that won't be back in the new Netflix sequel. Murphy long ago made himself stop laughing that way, recalling why he felt compelled to do so.

Murphy recently spoke with CBR's Kevin Polowy to promote Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, the fourth installment of the Beverly Hills Cop movie series. When asked about the absence of Axel Foley's unique laugh from the 80s films, Murphy shared how that just happened to be his real laugh that wasn't directly tied to his Beverly Hills Cop character. The actor went on to recall how comedians relentlessly poked fun at him by exaggerating his laugh when doing impersonations, and that left Murphy concerned that he'd be known for the way he laughed above all else. He then "forced" himself to stop laughing that way, but Murphy has still observed that the impersonations have nevertheless continued.

Eddie Murphy holding gun on Beverly Hills Cops 3

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"In the 80s, I was like, 'I don't want to be known for a laugh,'" Murphy said, recalling how it was the go-to joke for every comedian doing an impression of him. "That's all they did was that laugh... It was like, 'Hey, you know what, I'm going to stop laughing.' I forced myself to stop laughing, which is really an unnatural thing. You laugh, and it's like, 'I have to stop laughing like that.' And now I don't laugh like that anymore."

"I forced myself to stop laughing, which is really an unnatural thing."

On why he retired the laugh, Murphy added, "The impressions, and just... we're making too much of it. Even still! If you say do an impression, they'll do that laugh. They'll talk like me, and they'll talk like the Donkey [character from Shrek]. If you say, do Eddie Murphy, They talk, 'Hey, how you doing! [Exaggerated laugh] And it's like, that's not me."

Beverly Hills Cop 4

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Beverly Hills Cop 4 Axel F

Murphy may no longer laugh the same way, but he still brings his familiar brand of humor back with him in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. The film reunites Murphy with fellow franchise stars Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot. Also starring are Taylour Paige, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Kevin Bacon. Mark Molloy directed the film.

Axel Foley Returns to California in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

The official synopsis of the new movie reads, "Detective Axel Foley (Murphy) is back on the beat in Beverly Hills. After his daughter’s life is threatened, she (Paige) and Foley team up with a new partner (Gordon-Levitt) and old pals Billy Rosewood (Reinhold) and John Taggart (Ashton) to turn up the heat and uncover a conspiracy."

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F will start streaming on Netflix on July 3, 2024.

Source: CBR

Beverly Hills Cop Axel F 2024 Poster

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Detective Axel Foley finds himself drawn back to the opulent environs of Beverly Hills to investigate the untimely demise of a long-time confidant.

Director Mark MolloyRelease Date July 3, 2024Cast Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Eddie Murphy, Kevin Bacon, Judge ReinholdWriters Kevin Etten, Tom Gormican, Danilo Bach, Daniel Petrie Jr., Will BeallRating RMain Genre ActionGenres Comedy, Thriller, CrimeProducer Jerry Bruckheimer, Eddie Murphy, Chad Oman.Production Company Eddie Murphy Productions, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Netflix, Paramount Pictures.