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Eddie Murphy ‘never forgot’ about $100,000 bet with Richard Pryor

Home> Celebrity> News

Published 17:26 3 Dec 2023 GMT

Eddie Murphy ‘never forgot’ about $100,000 bet with Richard Pryor

The bet involved Eddie Murphy's album, How Could It Be

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

Eddie Murphy evidently has a good memory, as the actor still remembers a bet all the way from 1985.

Some of you may not know, but the actor and comedian has also released music over the course of his career - five albums, to be precise.

His first album, How Could It Be, was released in 1985, and his fifth and final - titled All I F**kin' Know - dropped in 1998.

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Eddie Murphy seen performing in 1985.
Paul Natkin/Getty Images

But Murphy is largely known for his comedy; so much so that an his late friend Richard Pryor bet him $100,000 that he couldn't create an album that had no jokes in it.

Recently reminiscing about his debut album on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel read out the liner notes in the album's booklet.

"Special thanks to Michael Jackson and Prince. Simply because it's hip to have your names on my album," part of it read.

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Eddie Murphy pictured with Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx.
Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images

Going on to note his hefty wager with Pryor, the booklet went on: "And to Richard Pryor, my idol, with whom I have a $100,000 bet. No motherf**ker, I didn't forget."

Explaining the remarks to Kimmel, the Shrek favorite said: "He bet me $100,000 that I wouldn't put out a music album where there's no jokes or nothing.

"It's just all music. He said, ‘You’ll never do it.' And I bet him $100,000. And I did it. And he never paid me."

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Murphy shared the anecdote with Jimmy Kimmel.
Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images

Even though the pair went on to star in Harlem Nights together afterwards, Murphy still didn't bring up the debt that Pryor owed him.

"I never said anything. But he owes me," the 62-year-old went on to quip.

But he may be waiting quite a while for his money as Pryor sadly passed in 2005 at the age of 65.

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Like Murphy, Pryor was also best known for his comedy, but dabbled in music as well.

Murphy has a new festive film with Tracee Ellis Ross.
MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images

Murphy recently featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to plug his new Christmas movie, Candy Cane Lane.

The synopsis for what might be your new festive favorite film reads: "A man is determined to win the neighborhood's annual Christmas decorating contest. He makes a pact with an elf to help him win--and the elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, which brings unexpected chaos to town."

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Tracee Ellis Ross, Nick Offerman and Jillian Bell also star in the Amazon Prime movie.

Featured Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc/RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Topics: News, Celebrity, Music, Eddie Murphy, Money

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

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@niamhshackleton

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