Eddie Murphy Accepts His Golden Globe Honor and Tells a Will Smith Slap Joke

Image source: Getty / Amy Sussman

Hollywood icon Eddie Murphy received the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at this year's Golden Globes ceremony. The actor, comedian and former Golden Globe winner accepted the honor on Tuesday evening, presented by Tracy Morgan and Jamie Lee Curtis, thanking the HFPA, as well as his partner, Paige Butcher, and his 10 children - Eric, 33, Brian, 33 years old. , Christian, 32, Myles, 30, Shayne, 28, Zola, 23, Bella, 20, Angel, 15, Izzy, 6, and Max, 4 — for their "love, support and inspiration".

"I've been in show business for 46 years, and I've been in film for 41 years. So it took a long time to prepare," he said. Murphy kept his acceptance speech brief, joking, "I could literally stand here and keep saying 'thank you' until they play the piano." However, he left some advice for the other stars - and ended with one hell of a punchline.

"To all the new dreamers and up-and-coming artists in the room tonight, I want to let you know that there is a definitive plan you can follow to achieve success, prosperity, longevity, and peace. of spirit," he says. "I've followed it all my career. It's very simple, it's three things, just do these three things: pay your taxes, mind your own business and keep the name of Will Smith's wife out of your fucking mouth!"

According to Variety, the Cecil B. DeMille Award has been presented to recipients since 1952, recognizing talented individuals for their "outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment." However, the award was not awarded last year as the Globes was boycotted by talent, media and creatives due to a lack of diversity at the HFPA (at the time there was no no black limbs) and other issues. /p>

Murphy now joins past winners including Jane Fonda (2021), Tom Hanks (2020), Jeff Bridges (2019), Oprah Winfrey (2018), Meryl Streep (2017) and Denzel Washington (2016). And his honor couldn't have come at a better time as the 61-year-old star returns to his acting bag for Netflix's romantic comedy 'You People,' directed by Kenya Barris, which stars Jonah Hill, Nia Long, Lauren London and other familiar faces. Murphy's next film project was also announced recently: an upcoming Prime Video holiday movie titled "Candy Cane Lane", in which he will star alongside Tracee Ellis Ross.

To many, Murphy is loved for his iconic filmography which includes everything from Beverly Hills Cop, Nutty Professor and Shrek franchises to classics like “Coming to America” (which got...