Eddie Murphy surprised him about the advice Sidney Poitier once gave him.
With a new Apple TV+ documentary Call Sheet Number One: Hollywood’s Major Black Men, Police officer Beverly Hills The actor shared what Oscar winner told him not to star in 1992 Malcolm x. At the time, the film was originally directed by Norman Hudyson, by Poitier. In the heat of the night The director starred Denzel Washington before Spike Lee took over as director.
“They were talking about what to do Malcolm xMurphy recalled. “Norman Yudyson was putting it together. They were going to use it. Malcolm x’s autobiography Alex Haley. And they got closer to me about playing Alex Haley. At the same time, I bumped into something Sidney Poitier and asked him, “Yeah, I’m thinking of playing Alex Haley!” And Sidney Poitier said, “You’re not Denzel [Washington]and you’re not Morgan [Freeman]. You are a breath of fresh air and don’t fuck it! ”
Murphy admitted that he “didn’t know” whether Poitier’s advice was “injury or compliment,” but was only shocked to be compared to Washington and Freeman. “I was like, ‘What?’,” he added.
Other locations Hollywood’s leading black menMurphy speculated about why Poitier didn’t put him in the same group as Washington or Freeman.
“I was in the unknown sea. For Sydney and everyone, when I came across it, it was kind of new.” Dream Girls The actor said. “They had no references for me, they couldn’t give me any advice. [were] All over the world, they had none with young black people. So no one could give me any advice. Everything was really big and broke really quickly. ”
Lee Malcolm x Haley was not included as a character. The film was ultimately a huge success, winning two Oscar nominations. The best costume designs from Washington Best Actors and Ruth E. Carter.
