Eddie Murphy Reflects on 1988 Oscars Speech
At the 1988 Oscars, Eddie Murphy used his moment as a presenter to highlight the Academy's oversight of Black performers. However, before delivering his speech, fellow comedian Robin Williams advised him to reconsider one aspect.
Robin Williams' Advice
Murphy recalls backstage conversations with Williams: "I remember being with Robin Williams backstage. I was like, 'I'm gonna say this.' And he goes to me, like, 'But why go there?'"
Concerns About Tone Over Content
Williams' concern wasn't about the speech's controversial content but rather Murphy's delivery. Murphy explains, "I was like, 'Oh, you don't think it's funny?' It was more, is it funny? Rather than it's controversial."
He aimed to balance humor with a pointed message: "I was trying to be funny and say a little something, but be funny too. Have a little edge to what I said."
The Speech and Its Impact
Murphy ultimately proceeded with his speech while presenting the Best Picture award, which went to Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor. He also shared that he initially declined the Academy's invitation to present.
"I remember being with Robin Williams backstage. I was like, 'I'm gonna say this.' And he goes to me, like, 'But why go there?'"
"I was trying to be funny and say a little something, but be funny too. Have a little edge to what I said."
Author's summary: Eddie Murphy's 1988 Oscars speech spoke out on racial issues in Hollywood, with Robin Williams encouraging him to refine its humorous tone.