‘Being Eddie’ reveals Eddie Murphy’s funeral donations to late Black icons
In the new Netflix documentary “Being Eddie,” comedy legend Eddie Murphy reveals a hidden legacy of generosity. Murphy, 64, discloses that he privately paid for the funerals of Redd Foxx and Rick James—two pioneers who influenced his life and career.
The documentary, released November 7, 2025, also shares how Murphy bought a tombstone for Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas, the original star of “The Little Rascals,” who was buried in an unmarked grave.
Why Eddie Murphy paid for the funerals of Redd Foxx and Rick James
Murphy calls Foxx and James “cautionary tales” in “Being Eddie.” Redd Foxx, who died broke and in debt, had no funds for burial when he passed in 1991. Murphy stepped in, honoring the man he called a comedy idol and co-star in “Harlem Nights.”
Rick James, Murphy’s longtime friend and producer of his 1985 hit “Party All the Time,” also died in financial distress. Murphy covered all burial costs after James died in 2004. “I’m always burying these people,” Murphy reflects in the film.
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Eddie Murphy honors Buckwheat actor with long-overdue tombstone
Murphy also made sure Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas, who appeared in 82 “Our Gang” shorts from 1934 to 1944, received proper recognition. After discovering Thomas was buried in an unmarked grave, Murphy quietly paid for a tombstone.
Though they never met, Murphy’s SNL impersonation of Buckwheat in the early 1980s became a defining moment in his rise to fame. The gesture shows respect for a fellow Black performer whose legacy faded after childhood stardom.
Murphy shares emotional toll and explains his choice to skip funerals
In *Being Eddie*, Murphy admits he rarely attends funerals, including those he helps fund. “It’s just too much for me,” he says. Instead, he prefers to help from the background. He adds that when he dies, he plans to be cremated.
The Netflix documentary touches on his grief over the loss of his half-brother Charlie Murphy in 2017, a pain that still lingers. The segment offers rare insight into how Murphy copes with loss and honors those who came before him.
Fans react to Eddie Murphy’s funeral donations with praise and emotion
Since “Being Eddie” premiered, social media has been flooded with praise for Murphy’s quiet generosity. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) called the stories “heartbreaking,” “beautiful,” and “the definition of class.”
People Magazine’s post on Murphy’s funeral donations went viral, drawing over 6,000 views within hours. Many noted the irony: a billionaire star paying final respects to legends who died penniless, often ignored by the industry they helped build.
‘Being Eddie’ explores legacy, loss, and Black excellence
Directed by Angus Wall, the documentary features interviews with Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Arsenio Hall, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, and more. They reflect on Murphy’s 50-year journey from teen comic to global icon.
“Being Eddie” shows the entertainer not just as a performer, but as a man shaped by those who came before him—and who gives back without asking for applause.
Why Murphy’s quiet acts matter in Hollywood’s legacy gaps
The Eddie Murphy funeral donations spotlight a harsh truth: many Black entertainers who helped build the industry were left without financial support in death. Murphy’s gestures fill a gap that systemic inequities created.
By using his wealth to honor legends like Redd Foxx, Rick James, and Buckwheat, Murphy is preserving legacies that might otherwise be forgotten. *Being Eddie* reminds us that giving back is often the truest form of tribute.
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