Charlie Murphy spent years making people laugh, both as a stand-up comedian and as the older brother of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. When he died of leukemia in April 2017 at age 57, the public’s attention turned not only to his legacy but also to the absence of his brother Eddie at his funeral.

4 related posts

Full name: Charles Quinton Murphy · Born: July 12, 1959 · Died: April 12, 2017 (age 57) · Cause of death: Leukemia

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Charlie Murphy died of leukemia on April 12, 2017 (BBC News)
  • Eddie Murphy paid for the funeral but did not attend (The Root)
  • They had a close relationship with no known feud (BBC News)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact details of his leukemia treatment
  • Whether Eddie Murphy made any public statement explaining his absence
3Timeline signal
  • Born July 12, 1959
  • Died April 12, 2017
  • Private funeral April 20, 2017
4What’s next
  • Charlie Murphy’s comedy legacy continues to be remembered
  • Ongoing name confusion with actress Charlie Murphy from Peaky Blinders

Seven key facts about Charlie Murphy, all sourced from major outlets:

Label Value
Full name Charles Quinton Murphy
Birth July 12, 1959
Death April 12, 2017
Cause of death Leukemia (complications from) – confirmed by publicist NBC Philadelphia
Age 57
Profession Comedian, actor, magician BBC News
Sibling Eddie Murphy BBC News

What did Charlie Murphy pass away from?

  • Leukemia diagnosis: Charlie Murphy had been battling leukemia for several years before his death (People magazine).
  • Official cause of death confirmation: His publicist Domenick Nati confirmed that the cause was leukemia (NBC Philadelphia).

Leukemia diagnosis

Multiple outlets reported that Charlie Murphy had been undergoing treatment for leukemia at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. The Independent (UK news outlet) described it as a battle with the disease, though specific treatment details remained private.

Official cause of death confirmation

On April 12, 2017, the Murphy family released a statement saying their “hearts are heavy with the loss today of our son, brother, father, uncle and friend Charlie” (BBC News). The family also noted that Charlie “filled our family with love and laughter” (People magazine).

Bottom line: Charlie Murphy died of leukemia at age 57, confirmed by his publicist and major news outlets. The family statement emphasized his role as a loving brother and father.

Why did Eddie Murphy not go to Charlie Murphy’s funeral?

  • Eddie Murphy’s policy on funerals: Eddie Murphy has a long-standing policy of not attending funerals, including his brother’s (The Root).
  • Public statements: He later explained that he pays for funerals but avoids the ceremonies themselves (The Root).

Eddie Murphy’s policy on funerals

In a 2021 interview, Eddie Murphy said he “doesn’t do funerals” and that this applied to Charlie’s service as well. He noted that he had paid for several funerals for friends and family but chose not to attend because he finds them overwhelming (The Root).

Public statements from Eddie Murphy

No reported feud or estrangement existed between the brothers. The decision was purely personal. The Root reported that attendees at Charlie’s funeral included Cedric the Entertainer, Dave Chappelle, D.L. Hughley, and George Lopez.

Bottom line: Eddie Murphy’s absence was not a sign of conflict but a consistent personal policy. He paid for the funeral and remained close to Charlie until his death.

Did Eddie Murphy and Charlie Murphy get along?

  • Brotherly bond: The two were close and often collaborated professionally (BBC News).
  • Charlie Murphy’s role in Eddie Murphy’s career: Charlie worked as a writer for Eddie’s projects and appeared alongside him in films like Norbit (BBC News).

Brotherly bond

Family statements and interviews confirm that the Murphy brothers shared a strong bond. Eddie Murphy once described Charlie as his “best friend” in a BBC News profile.

Charlie Murphy’s role in Eddie Murphy’s career

Charlie Murphy contributed as a writer on Eddie’s hit comedy Life and made cameo appearances. He also built his own reputation through stand-up and Chappelle’s Show, where his “True Hollywood Stories” sketches became iconic (NBC Philadelphia).

The upshot

Charlie Murphy was not just “Eddie’s brother” – he was a talented comedian who carved his own lane. The close relationship with Eddie was genuine, and the funeral absence was a matter of personal preference, not estrangement.

Three major outlets covered the story, with slight differences in emphasis:

Source Cause of death Funeral attendance Eddie Murphy’s role
BBC News Leukemia Not attended by Eddie Paid for funeral
The Root Leukemia Not attended by Eddie; other celebrities attended Paid for funeral, shared policy
The Independent Leukemia Not mentioned Not mentioned

Timeline of Charlie Murphy’s life and death

  • – Born Charles Quinton Murphy in Brooklyn, New York.
  • – Began career as a stand-up comedian and writer for his brother Eddie.
  • – Appeared in Chappelle’s Show skits, gaining widespread fame for “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories.”
  • – Hospitalized at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for leukemia treatment.
  • – Died of complications from leukemia at age 57.
  • – Private funeral held in New York; Eddie Murphy not in attendance but paid for services.

What we know for sure vs. what’s still unanswered

Confirmed facts

  • Charlie Murphy died of leukemia on April 12, 2017.
  • Eddie Murphy paid for the funeral but did not attend.
  • Eddie Murphy and Charlie Murphy had a close relationship.
  • Charlie Murphy’s final tweet was about releasing the past.

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature of Charlie Murphy’s leukemia treatment.
  • Whether Eddie Murphy made any public statement about his decision.

Voices on the record

“I don’t do funerals. I’ve paid for a lot of funerals, but I don’t go to funerals.”

— Eddie Murphy, as reported by The Root

“Our hearts are heavy with the loss today of our son, brother, father, uncle and friend Charlie.”

— Murphy family statement, via BBC News

Charlie Murphy left behind a comedy legacy that outlives the headlines. The bond between the Murphy brothers was real, and Eddie’s absence at the funeral was a reflection of his own personal policy, not a rift. The unanswered questions about the exact details of Charlie’s illness and Eddie’s private feelings remain, but the facts we have point to a loving family that chose to grieve in their own way.

Additional sources

people.com, youtube.com, imdb.com, msn.com, reddit.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, instagram.com

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What caused Charlie Murphy’s death?

Charlie Murphy died of complications from leukemia on April 12, 2017, as confirmed by his publicist and family (BBC News).

Did Eddie Murphy have a falling out with Charlie Murphy?

No. The two were close throughout their lives. Eddie Murphy simply has a policy of not attending funerals (The Root).

What were Charlie Murphy’s last words?

His final tweet read: “Release the Past to Rest as Deeply…” No further statement was made to the media.

Who paid for Charlie Murphy’s funeral?

Eddie Murphy covered the funeral expenses, as reported by The Root.

Is the actress Charlie Murphy related to Cillian Murphy?

No. The Irish actress Charlie Murphy (Peaky Blinders) is unrelated to Cillian Murphy and also unrelated to the comedian Charlie Murphy.

What was Charlie Murphy known for?

He was a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, best known for his work on Chappelle’s Show and as the brother of Eddie Murphy (BBC News).

How old was Charlie Murphy when he died?

He was 57 years old (BBC News).

Related reading