Actor and comedian Charlie Murphy endured a battle with leukemia before he died at the age of 57 Wednesday morning, according to a report by NYDailyNews.com’s Edgar Sandoval. Apart from being a successful stand-up comedian, Charlie, the older brother of actor and comedian Eddie Murphy, garnered recognition for his time on Chappelle’s Show.
Here was Murphy’s final tweet before his death.
One to Sleep On: Release the past to rest as deeply as possible.
— Charlie Murphy (@charliemurphy) April 12, 2017
It appeared Charlie was on the path to recovery, but fellow touring comedian Richard Murphy said Charlie contracted pneumonia, worsening his condition.
“He was doing well, but he contracted pneumonia, and that’s what took him out,” Richard said, per Sandoval. “His body wasn’t strong enough to fight the infection. It was very sudden.”
Richard and Charlie were touring together as part of the Comedy Get Down Tour. Charlie had a gig scheduled in Detroit in May.
Said Eddie’s publicist in a statement on Charlie’s death: “Our hearts are heavy with the loss today of our son, brother, father, uncle and friend Charlie. Charlie filled out family with love and laughter, and there won’t be a day that goes by that his presence will not be missed.”
Charlie gained a substantial recognition for recounting his interactions with Prince and Rick James on Dave Chappelle’s Chappelle’s Show. Comedian Eddie Griffin, who Charlie was going to perform with in Detroit, said Charlie was the greatest storyteller he ever hung around.
“It’s gieving time,” Griffin said, per Sandoval. “Charlie Murphy was the greatest storyteller I ever had the privilege of hanging around. He would tell a story and not miss an inflection or a single detail.
“But all that aside, the No. 1 thing about him was the he was a great family man, a great father. That was his main concern.”
Here’s Charlie recalling his interaction with Prince.
And here he is telling his story about James.
