Filed under: Television, Awards, Entertainment
Eddie Murphy won the first Comedy Icon Award at the inaugural 'The Comedy Awards' for making people laugh for more than 35 years. Tracy Morgan presented Murphy with the honor, declaring that Murphy was his main inspiration for pursuing comedy.
Murphy, who is turning 50-years-old this year, graciously accepted the award on Comedy Central and acknowledged that the recognition is a reminder that he's getting older. The comedian said he started doing stand-up shows when he was 15. And in the years that followed, he's consistently entertained viewers with his sketch comedy skits on 'Saturday Night Live,' memorable stand-up specials 'Delirious' and 'Raw' and films such as '48 Hours,' 'Trading Places' and 'Coming to America.'
During his acceptance speech Sunday night he received a standing ovation from the audience and mentioned Richard Pryor, Charlie Chaplin, Bill Cosby and George Carlin as the greatest comedians of all time.
Other award recipients of the night included Tina Fey who won the Best Actress in a Film Award and David Letterman was awarded the highest honor of the night as the first recipient of the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence.