Charlie Murphy’s Funniest Impressions, Sketches and Stand-Up

Charlie Murphy, who died today at the age of 57 after a battle with leukemia, rose to stardom in the early 2000s thanks to his connection on Chappelle’s Show. 

The older brother of Eddie Murphy, one of the biggest celebrities of the the 1980s and Nineties, Charlie turned his experiences hanging out around famous celebrities into some of the funniest television sketches ever, “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories.”

Perhaps no sketch had more of a cultural impact than his retelling of his rivalry/friendship with Rick James. From partying to fighting, the entire thing remains not only one of the show’s best moments, but one of the funniest things to hit television in the last 20 years. 

Rick James

Murphy probably could have just coasted off the being the guy who turned “I’m Rick James, bitch” into a catchphrase.

“Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories”

His basketball and breakfast experiences with Prince are legendary.

Tyree

Murphy could also play characters, such as Tyree, from “The Mad Real World,” which is just one his more memorable ones. 

Stinky on “Kneehigh Park”

In case you didn’t know, Charlie Murphy was also the voice of Stinky in the Sesame Street sendup, “Kneehigh Park.”

Gusto

While his film career didn’t have the string of box office blockbusters like his brother had, Charlie did have a few memorable roles, like playing Gusto in the cult hip hop film CB4. 

Stand-Up

Murphy also excelled on the stage doing stand-up. Although it might not be the thing he was best-known for, his jokes and delivery were always sharp and hilarious.