Eddie Murphy is set to receive one of Hollywood’s highest honors. The American Film Institute (AFI) Board of Trustees has announced that the legendary entertainer will be awarded the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award during a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 18, 2026.
The recognition places Murphy among a celebrated line of artists whose careers have shaped the landscape of film and television. Recent honorees include Francis Ford Coppola, Nicole Kidman, Julie Andrews, Denzel Washington, George Clooney, and Mel Brooks. AFI first introduced the honor in 1973, beginning with director John Ford, and has since recognized a long list of industry giants—from James Cagney and Orson Welles to Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, and Jane Fonda.
Murphy’s selection further solidifies his status as a cultural cornerstone across comedy, television, and film. For more than five decades, he has delivered era-defining work, becoming one of the rare stars with multiple $100M-plus box office hits across three different decades. From the Beverly Hills Cop franchise to family favorites like Daddy Day Care, his influence stretches across generations.
Today, Murphy’s career continues to evolve with new projects across platforms. He can currently be seen in Netflix’s documentary Being Eddie, Amazon’s heist comedy The Pickup, and the holiday film Candy Cane Lane. He also starred in Netflix’s You People and delivered one of his most acclaimed performances as Rudy Ray Moore in Dolemite Is My Name, which earned him Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture (Comedy/Musical) and Best Actor, along with a Critics Choice nomination.
Murphy’s awards journey spans far beyond the big screen. He won an Emmy in 2020 for his return to Saturday Night Live and received the Cecil B. DeMille Award from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in 2023. His work in Dreamgirls earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2006, adding to a career of notable accolades.
AFI’s Life Achievement Award not only honors Murphy’s contributions but also supports the organization’s broader mission. Proceeds from the Gala Tribute will go directly toward AFI’s education and arts programs, continuing its mandate to preserve and celebrate the moving image as an art form.
Eddie Murphy’s legacy is already cemented, but this upcoming honor marks a major milestone in a career that continues to inspire—and entertain—on every level.