Res. No. 1460

Resolution honoring the life of comedian Charlie Murphy.

By Council Members Cornegy and King

                     Whereas, Charlie Murphy was born on July 12, 1959 in Brooklyn, New York and raised on Long Island; and

Whereas, According to his 2009 book, The Making Of A Stand-Up Guy, as an adolescent, Murphy was charged as a youthful offender on his first offense and after violating his parole, spent ten months in county jail; and

Whereas, Upon being released from jail in 1978, Murphy enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a boiler technician for six years; and

Whereas, Following his service, Murphy worked as a hip hop manager and the head of security for his younger brother, the celebrated comedian, Eddie Murphy; and

Whereas, In 1989, Murphy made his feature film debut alongside his brother in “Harlem Nights,” and went on to appear in other films, including “CB2,” “Jungle Fever,” “Night at the Museum” and “Lottery Ticket;” and

Whereas, Murphy also received screenwriting credits on several films, including “Vampire in Brooklyn” and “Norbit,” which starred his brother; and

Whereas, In 2001, Murphy made his stand-up debut at the age of 42; and

Whereas, Murphy rose to fame as a co-star and writer on Dave Chapelle’s “Chapelle’s Show” from 2003-4, with his ‘True Hollywood Story sketches,’ in which he recounted peculiar celebrity encounters he and brother, Eddie, had with Rick James, Prince and others; and

                     Whereas, On April 12, 2017, following a battle with leukemia, Murphy passed away at the age of 57 in New York City; and

Whereas, Murphy is remembered by fellow comedians as a great storyteller and one of the funniest comedians; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York honors the life of comedian Charlie Murphy.

CGR

LS #10779

5/2/2017