Eddie Murphy Defends His Controversial Movie Nearly 2 Decades After Its Premiere

Eddie Murphy Defends His Controversial Movie Nearly 2 Decades After Its Premiere  originally appeared on Parade.

Actor and comedian Eddie Murphyis defending his highly criticized 2007 film, Norbit.

Entertainment Weekly reported Murphy said he still has a fondness for Norbit, which he co-wrote with his late brother Charlie Murphy, during an August 2025 interview on 360 With Speedy, hosted by Complex’s Speedy Morman. In addition, he noted that he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance as James (Jimmy) “Thunder” Early in the 2006 musical film, Dreamgirls.

“I love Norbit. Norbit came out right after I got that Oscar nomination. There were articles like, ‘How can he get an Oscar, he did this?’ They’re two different movies,” said the 64-year-old in the interview. “I wrote Norbit with my brother, Charlie, and we think Norbit is funny. It came out and they gave me a Razzie Awards for worst actress, worst actor, and worst actor of the decade. And I was like, ‘Come on now, s— ain’t that bad.’ They was just hatin’ on me.”

He also said he still finds humor in Norbit, wherein he played the characters, Norbit Albert Rice, Rasputia Latimore, and Mr. Wong.

“To this day, I like Norbit. There’s stuff in Norbit that makes me laugh,” said Murphy during the August 2025 interview.

He also said he thinks his movies, Pluto Nash and Holy Man, are worse than Norbit.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Norbit focuses on the titular character who is bullied by his wife, Rasputia, and wants to pursue a romantic relationship with his childhood friend, Kate Thomas (Thandie Newton). In a 2007 interview with Ron’s World, Murphy suggested he wasn’t concerned about those offended by his choice to wear a padded suit and prosthetics to play Rasputia.

In addition, he compared the story of Norbit to the classic fairytale, Cinderella.

“The core of our story is Cinderella. [Rasputia is] his wife, but she’s like the evil stepsister. This is not real people. It’s old story stuff,” said Murphy in the 2007 interview.

In addition, Murphy suggested he didn’t get accolades from critics until he decided to take on more serious roles, like Jimmy in Dreamgirls.

“I got a [Oscar] nomination for stepping outside myself. I didn’t think I would ever [get nominated for an Oscar]. In The Nutty Professor, I played six people, seven people in the movie. But because it’s a comedy. They don’t look at how funny it is. You have to step outside of it for them to notice you,” said Murphy.

Eddie Murphy Defends His Controversial Movie Nearly 2 Decades After Its Premiere  first appeared on Parade on Aug 11, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.