At the 2023 Golden Globe Awards, Eddie Murphy caused quite a stir with his joke about Will Smith and Chris Rock. The joke was in reference to the infamous moment at the 2022 Oscars when Smith slapped Rock for poking fun at Jada Pinkett Smith.
Murphy made the joke in his acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille award for his work in film and television. He presented a blueprint for achieving success, prosperity, longevity and peace of mind, then concluded the speech with the joke.
“I’ve been in show business for 46 years, and I’ve been in the movie business for 41 years, so this has been a long time in the making and greatly appreciated,” Murphy began his speech, thanking his partner Paige Butcher and his 10 “amazing” children.
He added, “I’ve been doing this for a long time so I could literally stand up here and keep saying names until they play the piano, but I’m gonna wrap it up and just say something to all the new up-and-coming dreamers and artists that are in the room tonight. I wanna let you know that there is a definitive blueprint that you can follow to achieve success, prosperity, longevity and peace of mind.”
Murphy then shared that blueprint that he has followed his “whole career,” saying: “It’s very simple, just do these three things: Pay your taxes, mind your business — and keep Will Smith’s wife’s name out your f—ing mouth!”
The joke was met with both laughter and criticism. Some people praised Murphy for his comedic genius, while others felt the joke was tired and unnecessary.
The incident highlights the importance of being mindful of the power of words and jokes. Offensive jokes can have serious consequences, and it’s important to be aware of the potential impact of jokes before they are made.
Murphy’s joke demonstrated the power of words and how, when used responsibly, they can bring laughter and joy. Although the joke caused controversy, it also highlighted the importance of understanding the power of words and the impact they can have.
