Comic legend Charlie Murphy passed away today, so unexpectedly, so suddenly, saddening the entire culture. You’ll be hard pressed to find somebody over the age of 12 or 13 who didn’t know who Charlie Murphy is. In fact, to this new generation, Charlie is probably more well known that his funnyman GOAT brother Eddie. Charlie’s two comedic sketches where he details some wildly hysterical times with Prince and Rick James on “Chappelle’s Show” are unquestionably two of the funniest segments to ever air. Ever! Then there’s the endless gut busting, iconic appearances he’s made in other TV shows and films including “CB4,” “Black Dynamite,” “Black Jesus,” the Boondocks” and most recently “Meet The Blacks.”
Immediately after the news of his death today (reports says he succumb to Leukemia), his friends and peers took to social media to pay their respects and reflect on how he touched everyone’s lives.
“Wow… This is crazy,” Kevin Hart wrote on his Instagram page. “All I can say is RIP. Thank you for not only being a friend but for believing in me when I was young in this comedy game. Charlie murphy did the rewrite for the first movie that I ever did called “Paper Soldiers.” … His stories were legendary & unbelievable & heartfelt. I’m lucky to have known you and I am even luckier to be able to say that I was a friend. You will be missed man. #RIPCharlieMurphy.
“You made us smile,” LL Cool testified on IG. “U brought lots of joy to the world and made life easier for millions. Rest in paradise big homie. #CharlieMurphy.’
“Rest in paradise Charlie Murphy,” Raekown posted via Twitter, his sentiment mirrored by Joey Badass and N.O.R.E. who scribed “RIP to Charlie Murphy. Legend” and “Rest in power Charlie Murphy. Damn, that’s was the homey!!! respectively.
Meanwhile Chance The Rapper declared “Charlie Murphy was a great man. God bless, we already miss you.”
Stephen A. Smith announced Murphy’s passing on his ESPN radio program “The Stephen A. Smith Show. “My heart goes out to Charlie Murphy’s family. My heart goes out to him and his family. I was a huge, huge fan of Charlie Murphy. Sad. Just sad. My condolences.”
“Damn, sorry to hear about my friend Charlie Murphy,” Ice Cube lamented on his IG page. “He took a chance on a young director in ‘The Player’s Club.’ Always made me laugh. RIP.”
Neal Brennan who co-created co-wrote and directed on “Chappelle’s Show” was heartfelt on his Instagram posting, speaking on how Charlie impacted him. “RIP Charlie Murphy. First stuff I ever officially directed were the Rick James and Prince stories. Dude changed my life. One of the most unique people I ever met. So funny. So weird. I truly don’t think anyone had ever used the term “Habitual Line-Stepper” before Charlie said it that day. Unforgettable dude. Sad day for the culture.”
Bow Wow who co-starred with Murphy in “Roll Bounce” and “Lottery Ticket” was at a lost for word. “Wow! Lottery ticket is on @mtv now. Right Now! RIP Charlie Murphy. I don’t know what to say man…” he typed on IG.
“I haven’t seen anything as funny as Charlie Murphy & Dave Chappelle’s skits on the Chappelle’s Show!” Magic Johnson tweeted. “Great memories seeing Charlie live at the Forum in LA during the Comedy “Get Down” tour.
Chris Rock’s tweet was short but profound and summed it up nicely, “We just lost one of the funniest most real brothers of all time. Charlie Murphy RIP.”
Prior to his passing, Murphy had recently finished filming a role for the new season “Power.”
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