Before becoming a comedian, he served in the United States Navy for six years.
Charlie Murphy, the comedian who famously rocketed to fame on Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show, has reportedly died after a battle with leukemia. He was 57.
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The older brother of comedy titan Eddie Murphy, died Wednesday in a New York City hospital, according to reports. His manager told TMZ that he was undergoing chemotherapy.
Before becoming a comedian, Murphy served in the U.S. Navy for six years.
The comedian was popular on the stand-up circuit, but also appeared in TV shows like Power, Black Dynamite, Black Jesus, and Are We There Yet?
He also onscreen in his brother’s films Norbit and Harlem Nights, as well as the Spike Lee films Mo’ Better Blues and Jungle Fever.
His passing comes a week before the one-year anniversary of Prince's death. In a strange coincidence, one of Murphy's most beloved Chappelle's Show skits was when he recounted a story about playing basketball with the "Purple Rain" singer.
In 1997, Murphy married Tisha Taylor Murphy, who passed away from cervical cancer in 2009.
Murphy is survived by his three children – two with Tisha Taylor Murphy and one from a previous relationship.
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Many of his friends and colleagues took to social media to mourn the star.
We just lost one of the funniest most real brothers of all time . Charlie Murphy RIP. pic.twitter.com/AAwItp5AJC
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) April 12, 2017
This is a text message that Charlie sent us from a recent @comedygetdown Show @realdlhughley… https://t.co/STVoYiyeeW
— George Lopez (@georgelopez) April 12, 2017
After every gig, he rushed home to be with his kids. He died with gigs on the books. #RIP #mybrotha #charliemurphy #CGD pic.twitter.com/JIV1U2Y98W
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) April 12, 2017
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