Martin Lawrence took the stage at the AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Eddie Murphy, and he told a story about the complicated journey from starstruck fan to family.
Lawrence, who was among the star-studded group of speakers celebrating Murphy’s legacy, opened up about the first time he ever tried to meet his idol. As a young comedian fresh to California, Lawrence worked up the nerve to approach Murphy’s security and ask for a moment with the man who had inspired him to pursue comedy in the first place. Security said yes. Murphy, however, had a different answer.
“I said, ‘Brother, can I take a picture with you?'” Lawrence recalled. “Eddie looked at me, so smooth and cool, looked me in the eyes, and he said, ‘No.’ And my face was cracked.”
Martin’s been waiting to tell this story for a minute! 😂. The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy, now on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/a9BHaYIcBP
— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) May 31, 2026
The crowd erupted. Lawrence let the moment breathe before delivering the punchline that the entire room was waiting for. “And then I took a picture with Robert Townsend.”
But what started as a story about getting shut down landed somewhere far more meaningful. Lawrence reminded the audience that a lot has changed since that awkward encounter in a California pizzeria. Murphy’s son, Eric Murphy, is in a relationship with Lawrence’s daughter, Jasmine, making the two comedy legends actual family.
“Now I can get all the pictures I want with him because we’re in-laws,” Lawrence said. “Now ain’t that right, Ed?”
Lawrence closed his tribute the way only he could, with love that clearly runs deep despite the rocky first impression. “Eddie, I love you, man, with all my heart. You’re my brother, my friend, and you are my in-law, brother.”
