Remember Eddie Murphy’s unforgettable laugh? Well, you might not hear it much anymore. The legendary actor behind characters like Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop actually made a big change to his laugh. But what’s the reason?
It’s because Murphy wanted people to focus on his acting skills rather than just his funny giggle. His laugh had become such a trademark that it was constantly imitated, which left the Hollywood star worried it was drowning out his talent.
The Reason Why Eddie Murphy Halted His Iconic Beverly Hills Cop Laugh
Eddie Murphy‘s infectious laugh was a beloved part of his comedic persona, especially the booming one from Axel Foley in earlier Beverly Hills Cop films. However, it became so popular that everyone started copying it. Comedians and fans alike found it irresistible to mimic.
It got to the point where people only seemed to notice his laugh, not his acting skills. And this constant association with the laugh became a source of frustration for the actor. The 63-year-old said in an interview with CBR‘s Kevin Polowy:
In the 80s, I was like, ‘I don’t want to be known for a laugh.’ 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.
Changing his laugh wasn’t easy for Murphy. It shows how dedicated actors can be when they want to step out of their usual roles. Murphy changed his laugh to stop being seen only as the funny actor and to show he could do more. This hard work has paid off. The Brooklyn native might have changed his laugh, but he still brings his signature humor back in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.
Eddie Murphy is All Set to Reprise His Role in the New Beverly Hills Cop movie
Eddie Murphy is reprising his role as Detective Axel Foley in the new Beverly Hills Cop movie, titled Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. The film also sees the return of some familiar faces from the franchise, including Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot.
Newcomers to the cast include Taylour Paige, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Kevin Bacon. Mark Molloy is the one directing the movie. The movie follows Foley as he returns to Beverly Hills to investigate a threat against his daughter. He teams up with his daughter (Paige), a new partner (Gordon-Levitt), and his old friends from the police department to solve the case.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F will be available on Netflix starting July 3, 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Eddie Murphy stop doing his famous laugh?
Eddie Murphy said in an interview that he deliberately forced himself to stop his signature booming laugh in the 1980s because it had become so widely imitated that it was overshadowing his acting talent. He wanted people to focus on his performances rather than just the laugh associated with characters like Axel Foley.
Was it difficult for Eddie Murphy to change his laugh?
Yes, according to Murphy, changing something so natural and instinctive was genuinely difficult. He described having to consciously catch himself and stop mid-laugh until it became habit, calling it an unnatural adjustment that took real effort to maintain over time.
Is Eddie Murphy reprising his role as Axel Foley?
Yes. Eddie Murphy returned as Detective Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, which follows Foley investigating a threat against his daughter, played by Taylour Paige. The film also brought back franchise veterans Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot alongside new cast members.
