Eddie Murphy reminisces about a memorable conversation he had with the late Marlon Brando.
In excerpts from a newly released interview on the New York Times podcast The Interview, Eddie Murphy recounted visiting Brando’s home after his debut film role in 1982’s 48 Hrs., where Brando expressed his dislike for Clint Eastwood.
READ: New York Businesses Ordered to Require Masks Indoors or Vaccine Proof
Eddie Murphy
“This is how long ago it was: He was saying, ‘I can’t stand that kid with the gun.’ I asked, ‘What kid with the gun?’ He replied, ‘He’s on the poster!'” Murphy, now 63, recalled.
“‘Clint Eastwood?’ ‘Yeah, that guy!’ He referred to Clint Eastwood as ‘that kid,'” added the star of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.
Interestingly, Brando, who passed away in 2004 at age 80, was only six years older than Eastwood, who recently celebrated his 94th birthday in May.
According to Murphy, this visit to Brando’s home was their second meeting; the first was at a rooftop restaurant at the L’Ermitage luxury hotel in Los Angeles.
Reflecting on these encounters, Murphy said, “I was dining with these famous people whom I watched on television growing up. After 48 Hrs., Marlon Brando called my agent and wanted to meet me.”
“Now looking back, I think, ‘Wow, that’s crazy. The greatest actor of all time wanted to have dinner with me!'” Murphy continued on the podcast. “But back then, I just thought, ‘That’s how it goes. You make a movie, and Marlon Brando calls.'”
During their second meeting, Murphy recalled enthusiastically discussing Brando’s 1972 masterpiece The Godfather. However, Brando dismissed the praise with nonchalance. “He said, ‘Eh, The Godfather.’ Not just The Godfather—acting,” Murphy remembered. “He said, ‘Acting is nonsense, and anyone can act.'”
