Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence’s families became connected in May when Eddie’s son Eric Murphy married Jasmin Lawrence, Martin’s daughter. The union marked a natural extension of their existing relationship, as the couple had been together for several years prior to getting married. Speaking during the premiere of his new film The Pickup on July 28, Eddie reflected on the event, noting that no large celebration had taken place yet.
“They were together for a couple years, so she already had been in the family,”
Eddie told E! News.
“There hasn’t been a party yet. They were gonna have a big wedding, then they went off and did a little thing.”
Eddie expressed his supportive stance, emphasizing that he does not pressure his children about major life decisions such as expanding the family. The 64-year-old shared, “I’m never pushing them.” He added,
“I think it’s a beautiful blessing and whenever it happens, it happens.”
Martin Lawrence also voiced his approval of Eric during an appearance on Jennifer Hudson’s show on May 28, describing Eric as a great young man. Both fathers share a protective yet respectful approach to parenting their grown children.
“I think we are both protective,”
Martin Lawrence explained.
“We want the best for our children. We let them do their own thing and make their choices and stay out of their business and let them find their way.”
When Eric and Jasmin chose to elope quietly rather than hosting an elaborate wedding, Martin was fully supportive. Eddie even joked during his May appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show that this meant Martin was spared the financial burden of a large celebration.
Eric and Jasmin, both in their late twenties and thirties, expressed excitement over formalizing their relationship, with Jasmin calling their love a blessing in their November engagement announcement.
“God truly blessed us with a love that feels like destiny,”
Jasmin wrote on Instagram.
“We couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter.”
Eric echoed her sentiments in a birthday tribute, calling Jasmin the love of his life and expressing gratitude for the ways she inspires him.
“The moments we spend together make time stand still,”
he said.
“You make me a better man in every way. Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life. Thank you for being the LOVE of my life!”
An Overview of Eddie Murphy’s Family
Eddie Murphy’s family is expansive, spanning multiple relationships and a variety of children whose ages range widely. His eldest son, Eric Murphy, was born in July 1989 to Eddie’s former partner Paulette McNeely. Eddie also shares children with ex-wife Nicole Murphy—including daughters Bria, Shayne, Zola, and Bella, as well as son Myles—and with ex-partners Tamara Hood and Mel B. Alongside his wife Paige Butcher, Eddie has two youngest children, Izzy and Max.
Despite the broad age gap between his oldest and youngest children, Eddie maintains a consistent parenting style. Describing himself as laid back but attentive, he elaborated in a July 2024 CBS Mornings interview with Gayle King,
“I’ve always been the same type of dad,
he said.
I’m just laid back. I’m not the hard disciplinarian. I’m like a cool dad, but I don’t let them get away with all kinds of stuff. I’ve always been there for everything—the little school plays and all that stuff.”
However, Eddie admits he is more lenient with his youngest children, allowing them greater freedom.
“My new ones, my two little ones, they really have it,”
he added,
“They get to go wild and loud.”
Eric Murphy’s Career and Family Life
Eric Murphy remains more private than his famous father, focusing on behind-the-scenes work such as voiceover roles for animated projects including Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate and Megamind Rules! He has also contributed voice work to some of Eddie’s films. Eric shared in a July 2024 Instagram post how notable it was to perform automated dialogue replacement (ADR) alongside his dad for the latest Beverly Hills Cop film.
“People often tell me I sound just like my Dad, and I recently got to put that to the test by doing ADR for him in the new Beverly Hills Cop film,”
Eric wrote.
“The process of ADR, or Automated Dialogue Replacement, is where we re-record dialogue in a studio to enhance audio quality or match lip movements. It was such a fun and incredible experience!”
Eric’s relationship with Jasmin Lawrence, daughter of his father’s longtime friend Martin Lawrence, has been welcomed by both families. Eddie reflected on their union during a CBS Sunday Mornings interview, commenting on their chemistry and mutual attraction.
“We thought it was cool,”
Eddie remarked.
“They’re both beautiful. They look amazing together. And it’s funny, everybody’s like, ‘What! That baby gonna be funny.’”
Regarding who would cover wedding expenses, Martin Lawrence revealed in December 2024 during an episode of the Big Boy’s Neighborhood podcast that Eddie had insisted Martin cover the costs this time around, as Eddie had paid for multiple weddings previously.
“Eddie said I gotta pay for it,”
Martin shared.
“He said I gotta pay for it ’cause he paid for his last daughter’s wedding, like, the last six weddings. He said it’s my turn now. I don’t mind.”
Insights Into Eddie Murphy’s Ex-Wife Nicole Murphy and Their Children
Eddie Murphy married Nicole Mitchell in 1993 following their meeting at a NAACP Image Awards after-party. Their marriage lasted 12 years, ending in divorce in 2005, but their relationship remained amicable for the sake of their children: Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola, and Bella.
Nicole spoke in July 2024 to HYPE+ about their ongoing positive relationship.
“My kids adore their dad, and I’ll always have love for Eddie no matter what. That’s never gonna go away,”
she said.
“But we’re cool. We’re good. We’re friends.”
She explained her decision to retain the Murphy surname despite often being asked about it, emphasizing the significance of the name given her years of marriage and five children.
“I always said I would drop Murphy if I get remarried,”
Nicole noted.
“And I always get asked that question, ‘How come you still have Murphy? Blah, blah, blah blah, blah.’ And I’m like, ‘Listen, I was married to that man for years, OK? I earned my name, I deserve my name, I have five children with that name.’ I didn’t see any harm in keeping my last name. It doesn’t matter…It’s a process changing your name.”
After their divorce, Nicole has been linked romantically to other notable figures, including a seven-year engagement to former NFL player Michael Strahan, which ended in 2014.
Bria Murphy’s Career and Role in Her Father’s Films
Bria Murphy, Eddie’s eldest daughter with Nicole, was born in November 1989, just months after Eric. She has pursued acting and appeared in several projects including a cameo as an officer in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024), which featured a number of family members.
Eddie described a cherished scene in an interview with Today where Bria’s husband, Michael Xavier, playfully tasered him on set shortly after their wedding.
“She’s the one that arrests me,”
Eddie explained.
“And the other scene when I get arrested in the movie, that’s my son-in-law tasing me in the neck. It was right after they got married he was on the set tasing me in my neck. I was like, ‘This is surreal.’”
Bria admitted to Entertainment Tonight that she was initially nervous to work with her father, as she is “a daddy’s girl” and wanted to avoid making mistakes, but ultimately enjoyed the experience immensely. Bria’s previous acting credits include Daddy Day Care (2003), The Perfect Match, The Game, and Conflict of Interest. She is also an artist.
Christian Murphy’s Low-Key Public Presence
Christian Murphy, Eddie’s son with Tamara Hood born in November 1990, has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Facebook and social media glimpses shared by family reveal close-knit celebrations and appearances at premieres, including the event for Eddie’s 2016 film Mr. Church.
Christian has shown support for his family on Instagram, sharing photos with siblings and acknowledging their bond. One post from the movie premiere was captioned “Best looking family in #america.”
Myles Murphy’s Family and Occasional Public Appearances
Born in November 1992, Myles Murphy is one of Eddie and Nicole Murphy’s children and has maintained a low-profile public life. He has appeared at several of his father’s film premieres and even has his own growing family.
Myles married Carly Murphy in September 2023. Together they have daughters Evie, born in July 2019, and Zuri, expected in October 2024. Carly has shared moments of their life on social media, including touching interactions with Eddie.
“She’s calling me Papa,”
Eddie said in a 2020 Vanity Fair interview, explaining,
“She can’t talk yet. But that’s what it will be.”
Shayne Murphy’s Reality TV Journey and Passions
Shayne Murphy, born in October 1994 to Eddie and Nicole, gained recognition as a contestant on the second season of ABC’s reality series Claim to Fame in 2023. Though she was eliminated, Eddie sent her a heartfelt message that was shared towards the end of the show.
“Shayne, I love you so very much,”
Eddie said in a video,
“and I’m so proud of you my baby girl.”
Shayne responded with equal affection, praising her father’s status as a legendary entertainer while highlighting his devotion as a parent.
“He is a legendary comedian and entertainer,”
Shayne said.
“But beyond that, he is the best dad in the world.”
In addition to reality television, Shayne runs a social media account titled Shayne’s Kitchen, where she shares her interest in food and art.
Zola Murphy’s Quiet Presence and Family Life
Born on Christmas Eve 1999, Zola Murphy is another of Eddie and Nicole’s daughters who has maintained a relatively private life. Her mother once called her
“The best Christmas gift I have ever had.”
Zola has appeared on the VH1 show Hollywood Exes alongside her sisters and stays connected with fans mainly via Instagram, where she posts about travel and fashion.
Bella Murphy’s Acting Ambitions
Like her sister Bria, Bella Murphy, Eddie and Nicole’s youngest child born in January 2002, has pursued acting and appeared in her father’s 2021 film Coming 2 America. Despite her family connection, she auditioned for the role and was determined to prove her talent on her own merits.
“I just wanted to be good,”
Bella explained in a 2021 interview with Good Morning America.
“I didn’t want people to watch it and be like, ‘Oh, that must be his daughter ’cause she can’t keep up with everyone else.’”
Eddie expressed immense pride over Bella’s accomplishments during an interview on the WTF With Marc Maron podcast.
“If you have kids, you go see your kid in something at school and it’ll fill you up,”
he said.
Your kid could paint something and put it on the refrigerator and your eyes get wet from that. So imagine going to work and your baby girl is at your job with you and she’s contributing to what’s going on and she’s doing a good job too and she’s got fight scenes and doing all this karate fight scenes. Every day, I was just filled up.”
Bella has since extended her acting resume with roles in series like Dollface and Fairyland.
Relationship with Mel B and Their Son Angel Murphy
Eddie Murphy began dating Spice Girls star Mel B in 2006. She recalled their initial meeting as intense but quickly felt the warmth of his family values and old-school respectfulness.
“I went for a dinner party at his house, and it was very intense that attraction—and I left actually because it was a bit too much,”
she recounted on Good Morning Britain in 2018.
“But he’s such a lovely person. He’s all about family, and he’s very just respectful and very old school. And we courted for quite some time before anybody knew.”
During their relationship, Mel B became pregnant and they planned to marry, but their relationship ended by the end of 2006. Their son Angel was born in April 2007, and although paternity was initially questioned publicly, a DNA test confirmed Eddie as Angel’s father.
“Eddie had remarked to a journalist that we were no longer together and had cast doubt on whether he was the father of our child,”
Mel revealed. She added that Eddie is now actively involved in Angel’s life.
Angel Murphy, who has grown into his teenage years, is celebrated by Mel with heartfelt messages on social media.
“You’ve been shining light in my life since day one,”
Mel wrote on Instagram for Angel’s 17th birthday in 2024.
You [brought] me so much joy and peace and watching you grow has been [the] best [rollercoaster] I [could] wish for watching you grow into the amazing person you are fills me with an SOOOO much pride an love [every day].
Mel, now engaged to Rory McPhee, continued her tribute for Angel’s 18th birthday in 2025.
“You are so special and so bright and so talented!!”
Mel expressed.
I couldn’t be prouder of watching you grow and become the person you are but you’ll forever be my babyyyy I [hope] you keep chasing [your] dreams and be kind to everyone around you like you always have been my Angel. Love you always.
Life with Wife Paige Butcher and Their Young Children
Eddie Murphy’s current wife, Australian model Paige Butcher, and he publicly confirmed their relationship around 2012. They have two children together: daughter Izzy, born in May 2016, and son Max, born in November 2018. The couple married in July 2024.
Eddie has often spoken fondly of his role as a father to all nine of his children, stating on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that his kids are the joy of his life, and joking that he would welcome even more children if Paige agreed.
“I love kids, and my kids are the joy of my life,”
Eddie said, later adding,
“I would have 10, if Paige is up for it.”
Both Izzy and Max have been introduced to Eddie’s family film legacy, primarily watching animated films like Shrek and Mulan. Eddie shared with E! News in 2024 that they have also seen Doctor Dolittle and will soon watch Daddy Day Care.
Paige Butcher maintains a private lifestyle, avoiding social media accounts to keep her family life out of the public eye. She explained in a 2013 Vanity Fair interview that being in a relationship with a celebrity motivated her to limit the personal information available online.
“I had Facebook for about a year, then I moved on to Instagram, got rid of both,”
Paige said.
“Went to Twitter, then eventually got rid of all of them.”
On her reason for stepping back, she shared:
“I’m in a relationship with a celebrity, so I felt like there’s already enough of me out there,”
she said.
I felt like I was giving out too much information. I was giving people too much access. I like to keep as much private as possible now. As you say, people will use anything against you. The more you put out, the more you get back. I just wasn’t using it. And I was really boring. I would just post my volunteer work.”
Significance of the Murphy-Lawrence Family Connection
The marriage of Eric Murphy to Jasmin Lawrence unites two prominent Hollywood families linked by friendship and mutual respect. Both Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have nurtured their children’s independence while providing guidance rooted in care and protection. This alliance exemplifies a new generation carrying forward legacies in both the entertainment industry and family values.
Given their fathers’ shared histories and collaborative projects, Eric and Jasmin’s relationship gained early affection and acceptance, signifying not only familial unity but also cultural continuity. The elopement reflected a modern, personal approach to family milestones, avoiding traditional pressures and focusing on genuine connection.
As the children of iconic performers build their own paths—whether through acting, behind-the-scenes work, or other creative fields—the Murphy-Lawrence union promises an ongoing influence on Hollywood’s next wave, melding talent, friendship, and family bonds.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Eddie Murphy quit his laugh?
A. Right now, Eddie Murphy is not a billionaire because his net worth is around $200 million. Still, he ranks as the sixth-highest-grossing American actor worldwide. His movies have earned nearly $7 billion at the global box office.
Q. Why did Eddie Murphy stop laughing?
A. The first actor to get a BAFTA nomination for a voice-over was for Best Supporting Actor in “Shrek” (2001). He avoids alcohol and cigarettes, and only consumes caffeine. He is also the only “Saturday Night Live” (1975) actor who hosted while still being part of the cast.
Q. Why did Eddie Murphy lose his laugh?
A. Eddie Murphy realized his laugh became a trademark, so he chose to change it. The issue arose when people started imitating him, always including his laugh. Before that, he hadn’t noticed it much. Murphy told Cbr, “In the 80s, I didn’t want my laugh to define me.”
Q. Is Eddie Murphy a smoker?
A. The only actor to get a BAFTA nomination for just voice work was for Best Supporting Actor in Shrek (2001). He doesn’t drink, smoke, and only uses caffeine as a drug.
