Eddie Murphy Reveals Robin Williams Warned Against Oscars Speech

At the 1988 Oscars ceremony, Eddie Murphy used his moment on stage to call out Hollywood for its history of overlooking Black performers. Before delivering his pointed remarks, the comedian was warned by fellow entertainer Robin Williams, who questioned whether Murphy’s message would come off as humorous.

Murphy recounted the moment backstage, telling Entertainment Weekly,

“I remember being with Robin Williams backstage. I was like, ‘I’m gonna say this.’ And he goes to me, like, ‘But why go there?’”

The hesitation wasn’t about the content of the speech but rather the tone with which Murphy planned to deliver it.

An Attempt to Blend Humor and Advocacy in a High-Stakes Moment

Murphy explained that Williams’ concern focused on whether the speech would be funny enough, not simply controversial.

“I was like, ‘Oh, you don’t think it’s funny?’ It was more, is it funny? Rather than it’s controversial,”

he said, adding,

“I was trying to be funny and say a little something, but be funny too. Have a little edge to what I said.”

Despite the warning, Murphy proceeded to give his speech while presenting the Best Picture award to Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor. He began by sharing that he almost declined the Academy’s invitation due to their lack of recognition for Black talent.

Highlighting the Oscar’s History of Exclusion

On stage, Murphy directly addressed the Academy’s record. He recalled telling the audience,

“I’m not going because they haven’t recognized Black people in motion pictures,”

noting that only three Black performers—Hattie McDaniel, Sidney Poitier, and Louis Gossett Jr.—had won Oscars in the film awards’ 60-year existence.

He continued with self-awareness about the unlikelihood of his own award recognition:

“And I’ll probably never win an Oscar for saying this, but hey, what the hey, I gotta say it,”

and humorously remarked,

“Actually, I might not be in any trouble ’cause the way it’s been going is about every 20 years we get one, so we ain’t due to about 2004. So by that time, this will all be blown over.”

A Firm Stand for Black Recognition in Hollywood

Murphy recounted dialogue with his manager in the speech, emphasizing the need for systemic change.

“So I came down here to give the award. I said, ‘But I just feel that we have to be recognized as a people. I just want you to know I’m gonna give this award, but Black people will not ride the caboose of society, and we will not bring up the rear anymore. And I want you to recognize us.”

Reflecting on his motivation for the speech, Murphy told EW,

“I wasn’t thinking of the ramifications of it,

and added,

”

I was just trying to be funny in the moment and I wanted what I was saying to be relevant.”

Mixed Response and Long-Term Impact on Recognition

In the Netflix documentary Being Eddie, Murphy expressed frustration that his powerful message did not receive significant media attention the following day. Nevertheless, the Academy’s voters appeared to respond within a few years. Two years after his speech, Denzel Washington earned the next Black acting Oscar for his role in Glory.

Murphy, despite being nominated in 2007 for Best Supporting Actor in Dreamgirls, has yet to win an Oscar himself. He lost that year to Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine.

Chronicling a Trailblazing Career and Advocacy Through Comedy

Being Eddie, directed by Angus Wall and available on Netflix as of November 12, profiles Murphy’s extraordinary journey from adolescent stand-up to major film star. The documentary covers his early days on Saturday Night Live and highlights his many blockbuster roles including 48 Hrs., Trading Places, and Beverly Hills Cop.

Throughout his career, Murphy has persistently used his platform to emphasize the importance of Black representation in entertainment, often challenging barriers and paving the way for others.

The film also features interviews with a wide range of influential figures who either worked with or were inspired by Murphy, such as Arsenio Hall, Brian Grazer, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Jamie Foxx, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Tracy Morgan.