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LOS ANGELES<\/strong> \u2013 Eddie Murphy<\/a> took a moment to look out at the star-studded room at the American Film Institute ceremony \u2014 at his family, his peers, the people who have shared his journey \u2014 and let it all sink in.<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing all of my family, all my kids, my beautiful wife, and seeing all the different people I worked with, I\u2019m just really filled up,\u201d said Murphy, who received the life achievement award<\/a> at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday night. \u201cThis is a special moment. I wish y\u2019all could feel what I\u2019m feeling, see what I\u2019m seeing. I almost teared up. I\u2019m going to get backstage and cry.\u201d<\/p>\n Just before accepting the award, Murphy was met with a standing ovation, stepping onstage and moving through the ballroom as the applause followed. Along the way, he passed Spike Lee<\/a>, Martin Lawrence<\/a>, Dave Chappelle<\/a>, Chris Rock<\/a>, Arsenio Hall and Judge Reinhold. <\/p>\n The tribute, which also featured appearances from Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Eva Longoria, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Kenan Thompson, will premiere as a special on Netflix on May 31.<\/p>\n Murphy, 65, has moved from a teenage stand-up sensation to a breakout force on \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d to a box office mainstay with films like \u201cBeverly Hills Cop,\u201d \u201cComing to America,\u201d \u201cThe Nutty Professor\u201d and the \u201cShrek\u201d franchise.<\/p>\n Large images from those defining moments filled the venue stage, tracing a career that has crossed stand-up, television and film.<\/p>\n \u201cEddie made us laugh and made our nation feel better,\u201d said Lee, who presented the award to Murphy. \u201cI took a camera and told stories on how our nation could be better. \u2026 We both pushed culture forward. … Every step of this journey, Eddie has been true to himself.\u201d<\/p>\n Comedians pointed to Murphy\u2019s influence across generations.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no us without you,\u201d Rock said. <\/p>\n Lawrence, who starred in the film \u201cLife\u201d with Murphy, shared a personal moment from early in his career, recalling how Murphy once declined his request for a photo. But now, that shouldn’t be a problem since their children married each other in 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I can get all the pictures I want,\u201d Lawrence said with a smile. \u201cBecause we’re in-laws.\u201d<\/p>\n Arsenio Hall, Murphy\u2019s longtime collaborator on \u201cComing to America,\u201d spoke about Murphy advocating for him in the film and highlighted the depth of his talent. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen Eddie does a family film, he plays a whole damn family,\u201d Hall said.<\/p>\n Chappelle reflected on studying Murphy\u2019s stand-up as a teenager watching \u201cRaw.\u201d He described Murphy as one of the defining figures in the industry and shared a recent visit to his home, where seeing Murphy\u2019s grandchildren playing offered a deeper perspective on his life.<\/p>\n \u201cI would watch him every day after school like I was taking a class,\u201d said Chappelle, who also spoke on an interview where he considered revisiting \u201cChappelle’s Show,\u201d<\/a> a project he once stepped away from, calling it one of the most meaningful experiences of his career. <\/p>\n Chappelle said Murphy encouraged him to revisit the idea, and even joked about joining the project if it comes to fruition. <\/p>\n \u201cYou are still the hero I want to be,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Stevie Wonder described Murphy\u2019s impact as something that extends beyond comedy. He showed his deep admiration for the comedian-actor.<\/p>\n \u201cLaughter can make life livable,\u201d Wonder said. \u201cEddie is more than a comedian \u2026 he is a universal reminder.\u201d<\/p>\n Mike Myers, who co-starred in the \u201cShrek\u201d films with Murphy, credited him with helping define one of animation\u2019s most beloved characters, calling his character portrayal of Donkey a \u201cmasterpiece.\u201d <\/p>\n Jennifer Hudson delivered a musical tribute with performances from \u201cDreamgirls,\u201d backed by a house band led by Rickey Minor.<\/p>\n