Lawrence told the story while honoring his idol at the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy.

Martin Lawrence jokes about Eddie Murphy once snubbing him — then becoming his in-law (exclusive)

Lawrence told the story while honoring his idol at the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy.

By Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence is a former associate editor at **. He left EW in 2022.

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May 29, 2026 12:00 p.m. ET

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Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence at the 'Beverly Hills: Axel F' premiere in 2024. Credit:

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

- Martin Lawrence honored his idol at *The AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy*, which debuts on Netflix on Sunday.

- In an exclusive clip from the ceremony, Lawrence recalls Murphy rejecting his request for a photograph early in his career.

- The duo's children married last year and now have a baby together.

Martin Lawrence can't believe he's gone from being turned down by Eddie Murphy for a picture to getting all the photos that he wants with his idol.

In an exclusive clip from Netflix's *The* *AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy*, Lawrence honors the man who went from being his comedy inspiration, to his costar, to his in-law. Murphy's son and Lawrence's daughter are married and recently welcomed their first baby together.

"I remember when I first came to California, I had the honor of meeting my idol, Eddie Murphy," Lawrence recalled. "Went up to his security, 'Can I meet him,' and they said, 'Yeah, you can meet him.' And Eddie was leaned over so cool, and I said, 'Eddie Murphy, I'm Martin Lawrence. Brotha, can I take a picture with you?' Eddie looked me in the eyes and said, 'No.'"

Lawrence would soon follow in Murphy's footsteps, transitioning from rising stand-up comedian to television and movie star. Lawrence and Murphy collaborated for 1999's *Life*, an Oscar-nominated dramedy about two bickering men who get arrested in 1930s Mississippi and subsequently spend the rest of their lives locked up together.

The two comedians became family last year when Murphy's son Eric and Lawrence's daughter Jasmin tied the knot. Jasmin gave birth to their first child earlier this year. "Our gene pool is going to make this funny baby," Murphy joked.

Eddie Murphy confirms arrival of his and Martin Lawrence's first shared grandchild, Ari Skye

A 'Bad Boy for Life': Martin Lawrence on his struggles with fame and return to the spotlight

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"Now I can get all the pictures with him," Lawrence says of Murphy at the tribute. "I love you with all my heart and soul. You're my brother, my friend, and you are my in-law."

*The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy* premieres Sunday, May 31, on Netflix.

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