Eddie Murphy explains why he thinks The Nutty Professor is his best performance of all time. A remake of the 1963 film of the same name, 1996’s The Nutty Professor, sees Murphy playing Sherman Klump, an obese and lovable professor that discovers a unique chemical that magically induces his weight loss. In addition to Murphy, the film featured a leading cast including Jada Pinkett Smith, James Coburn, Larry Miller, Dave Chapelle, and John Ales. The Nutty Professor was well-liked during the time of its release, and inspired the sequel Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.

Speaking with The New York Times, Murphy explains why he thinks The Nutty Professor is his best role. When asked about what he thinks his best part is, he mentioned both Bowfinger and The Nutty Professor, but it was clear that the latter film ultimately came out on top. Murphy attributed this status to “those makeups that Richard Barket did” that made the role so transformative. He also pointed out the uniqueness of his Sherman Klump role, saying that he couldn’t “think of another person” that would be able to play the part quite like he did. Check out the full quote from Murphy below:

For me there’s no comparison. I like “Bowfinger,” but “Nutty Professor” — that stuff is real. Those makeups that Rick Baker did, that turn you into another person and there’s no sign of me: I could walk in a room, and a person wouldn’t even know it was me. Let’s put it this way: I like “Bowfinger,” but I could think of 20 other actors that could have played that role. I can’t think of another person that could do “Nutty Professor.”

What Are Some of Eddie Murphy’s Other Iconic Roles?

Given all the actor’s other iconic roles, it is notable to hear Murphy speak about The Nutty Professor being his best performance. Though he does not fully articulate what about the Nutty Professor part makes it so notable, the connection to the film’s makeup related to the outlandishness of the role. Literally and figuratively, there is a larger-than-life quality of Sherman Klump as well as his Buddy Love persona. This type of comedy is quintessential Murphy, making his statement that few other actors could play him understandable.

Over a decade before The Nutty Professor hit the big screen, Murphy debuted in another of his major roles, Axel Foley. Axel Foley is the star of Beverly Hills Cop, which was a hit at the time of its release and went on to spawn two sequels. As in the case of The Nutty Professor, the legacy of that character has also lived on throughout time, as Axel Foley is making a return appearance this year in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. The sequel is set to release on Netflix this week on July 3.

In the post-2000 era, Murphy’s career is perhaps most synonymous with the character of Donkey in the Shrek series. Like Sherman Klump, Donkey is a lovable goofball, who, in this case, is the sidekick to Shrek‘s titular ogre. Donkey is also an enduringly beloved Murphy character, and the actor will voice him again in Shrek 5 as well as a Donkey spinoff of the Shrek universe. Even with all of these other well-liked Murphy roles, Murphy seems clear that The Nutty Professor is his favorite.

Source: NYT