Actor and comedian Eddie Murphy recently opened up about a conversation he had with Robin Williams just before they took the stage at the 1988 Academy Awards. During a new interview promoting his documentary Being Eddie, Murphy revealed that Williams questioned whether he should deliver a pointed speech criticizing the Academy’s failure to properly honor Black artists. Despite Williams’ reservations, Murphy proceeded with the address, which challenged the Oscars’ track record on recognizing African American talent.
Backstage doubts from Robin Williams about Murphy’s speech delivery
Prior to the ceremony, Murphy shared that Williams approached him backstage, urging caution about how the speech might be received. Murphy recalled to Entertainment Weekly,
“I remember being with Robin Williams backstage. I was like, ‘I’m gonna say this,’”
and Williams responded, “‘But why go there?’” Murphy explained that Williams’ concern was less about the message’s content and more about whether the tone struck the right balance of humor and seriousness. Murphy said,
“I was like, ‘Oh, you don’t think it’s funny?’ It was more, is it funny? Rather than it’s controversial,”
emphasizing his intention to mix comedy with a pointed critique.
Murphy delivers a critical message on the Academy’s racial recognition
Despite Williams’ counsel, Murphy delivered the speech before announcing the Best Picture winner, Bernardo Bertolucci for The Last Emperor. He began by revealing that he initially declined the opportunity to present an award due to the Academy’s neglect of Black actors’ accomplishments. Murphy highlighted the scarcity of Black Oscar winners across six decades, naming Hattie McDaniel, Sidney Poitier, and Louis Gossett Jr. as the only Black actors to have received the accolade at that point.
Humor and hope amid persistence for racial equality in film awards
Murphy acknowledged the risks of his candid remarks, noting,
“Actually, I might not be in any trouble ’cause the way it’s been going is about every 20 years we get one,”
and added,
“So we ain’t due to about 2004. So by that time, this will all be blown over.”
He expressed a desire for Black artists to gain rightful recognition and insisted that Black people would no longer occupy a marginal position in society, refusing to “ride the caboose of society” or “bring up the rear.”
Reflecting on the speech’s impact, Murphy admitted he didn’t focus on possible backlash but aimed to be humorous while addressing a critical and relevant issue.
