DOB: April 3, 1961

Background: Murphy is an American actor and comedian who was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began writing comedy routines and started performing when he was just 15 and was heavily influenced by Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby.

Filmography: When he was just 19, his big breakthrough happened when he was hired as a featured performer on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." He immediately started getting film offers and had major success right away with "48 HRS" and "Trading Places". He left SNL behind for a full-time film career with "Beverly Hills Cop," "Best Defense," "The Golden Child," "Delirious," "Raw," "Coming to America," "Boomerang," "Harlem Nights," "The Nutty Professor," "Mulan," "Dr. Dolittle," "Shrek," "Daddy Day Care," "The Haunted Mansion," "Bowfinger," "Dreamgirls," and "Tower Heist." He is scheduled to host the 84th Annual Academy Awards in February, 2012.

Academy Awards:

Best Supporting Actor Nomination
"Dreamgirls" (2006); lost to Alan Arkin ("Little Miss Sunshine")

Emmy Awards:

Best Comedy Supporting Actor Nomination
"Saturday Night Live" (1983); lost to Christopher Lloyd ("Taxi")

Best Variety Performance Nomination
"Saturday Night Live" (1984); lost to Cloris Leachman ("SAG 50th Anniversary")

Best Variety Writing Nomination
"Saturday Night Live" (1984); lost to "Late Night with David Letterman"

Best Animated Program Nomination
"The P.J.'s" (1999); lost to "King of the Hill"

Grammy Awards: Win - Best Comedy Recording ("Eddie Murphy: Comedian," 1983)

Golden Globe Awards: Win - Best Film Supporting Actor ("Dreamgirls," 2007)

Best Film Comedy/Musical Actor Nominations
"The Nutty Professor" (1997); lost to Tom Cruise ("Jerry Maguire")
"Beverly Hills Cop" (1985); lost to Dudley Moore ("Micki and Maude")
"Trading Places" (1984); lost to Michael Caine ("Educating Rita")

Best New Male Star of the Year Nomination
"48 HRS" (1983); lost to Ben Kingsley ("Ghandi")

SAG Awards: Win - Best Film Supporting Actor ("Dreamgirls," 2007)

Best Film Ensemble Nomination
"Dreamgirls" (2007); lost to "Little Miss Sunshine"