Stars turn out for Murphy celebration
However riotous the Eddie Murphy stories from Arsenio Hall, Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler and Russell Brand, the highlight of Spike TV’s tribute to Eddie Murphy was the comedian’s duet with Stevie Wonder.
Murphy joined the subject of one of his most classic impressions for a rousing rendition of Wonder’s 1973 hit “Higher Ground” during the taping of the Spike TV special “Eddie Murphy: One Night Only,” which is set to air Nov. 14. The Roots served as the house band.
Jamie Foxx, Tyler Perry, Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock and Keenan Ivory Wayans were also among those paying tribute to Murphy on Saturday.
Murphy beamed throughout the two-hour program, saying he was touched by the tribute.
“I am a very, very bitter man,” he said with a beguiling smile. “I don’t get touched easily, and I am really touched.”
Samuel L. Jackson said Murphy “changed the course of American film history” by giving Jackson his first speaking role on the big screen, in 1988’s “Coming to America.”
“If it weren’t for Eddie, we might not have all the wonderful films that I’ve made,” Jackson said.
Murphy, 51, insisted before the tribute that he is retired.
“I’m just a retired old song and dance man,” he said, adding that he only makes rare appearances these days. “That’s what you do when you’re retired: You come out every now and then and talk about the old days.”
Sandy benefit raises $23 million
NBC says its benefit concert for Superstorm Sandy victims drew $22.9 million in online and telephone donations to the American Red Cross.
Friday’s hourlong telethon included performances by artists native to the areas hardest-hit by Sandy, including New Jersey natives Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi and Billy Joel of New York’s Long Island. Others who took part in the special included Sting, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Tina Fey and Jon Stewart.
The telethon’s mood was somber but hopeful, from Aguilera’s “Beautiful” to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
The birthday bunch
Actress Elke Summer is 72. Singer Art Garfunkel is 71. Actor-playwright Sam Shepard is 69. Singer Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) is 65. Actor Robert Patrick (“The X-Files”) is 54. Singer Bryan Adams is 53. Actress Tilda Swinton is 52. Actress-singer Andrea McArdle is 49. Actress Tatum O’Neal is 49. Actress Judy Reyes (“Scrubs”) is 45. Singer-guitarist Ryan Adams is 38. Guitarist Kevin Jonas (The Jonas Brothers) is 25.