Eddie Murphy Defends Controversial Film Norbit Amid Oscar Debate

Eddie Murphy continues to defend his 2007 comedy 'Norbit,' a film widely panned by critics and believed to have cost him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in 'Dreamgirls.' Despite 'Norbit' receiving multiple Golden Raspberry Awards and a mere 9% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Murphy expressed in a 2024 interview that he loves the film and finds it funny, emphasizing that it was co-written with his brother Charlie Murphy. He rejected the notion that 'Norbit' was among his worst movies, instead citing titles like 'The Adventures of Pluto Nash' and 'Holy Man' as bigger disappointments. Murphy highlighted the timing issue, noting that 'Norbit' was released shortly after his Oscar-nominated performance in 'Dreamgirls,' leading to critical backlash that unfairly linked the two films. While 'Norbit' was a box office success grossing $159 million worldwide, the critical response overshadowed Murphy’s acclaimed work, resulting in Razzie nominations for Worst Actor, Worst Actress, and Worst Actor of the Decade for his multiple roles in the film. Murphy’s defense reflects his disregard for critical reception when it comes to his comedic work and his pride in the personal and creative investment in 'Norbit.'