Eddie Murphy’s ‘White People’ Comment Resurfaces; Slams Critics For Tripping About All-Black ‘Boomerang’ Cast
Eddie Murphy's clapback to the critics who raised concerns over "Boomerang's" casting has resurfaced.
Murphy wrote, produced and starred in the 1992 rom-com. Some criticized the film for its all-Black cast, but Murphy stood up for the movie and defended it when he appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1992. His response to the all-Black criticisms resurfaced on Instagram, and many expressed support for him.
"The coolest thing about 'Boomerang' and the most political thing about 'Boomerang' is that it's a movement. All Black cast and it has nothing to do with being Black or nothing. Just people," Murphy said.
"Boomerang" featured Halle Berry, Martin Lawrence, David Alan Grier, Grace Jones, Chris Rock, Tisha Campbell and Lela Rochon. Late actors Geoffrey Holder, John Witherspoon, and Earth Kitt were also among the cast members.
Read also: Eddie Murphy Declined When John Belushi, Robin Williams Once Offered Him Coke: 'That's Providence'
During the interview, Leno cited a movie review from the Los Angeles Times, which seemingly criticized and questioned the film's all-Black casting.
"The most intriguing aspect of 'Boomerang' turns out to be not its story but its racial composition, for this film takes pains to create a reverse world from which white people are invisible," Leno read.
"This cat at the L.A. Times is tripping because there were, well, there are white people in the movie, but there are no white leads in it," Murphy said in response. "You take a picture like 'Boys in the Hood,' no one tripped about that because it was a movie that dealt with a violent thing. But a regular thing, and it was business, and people asked, 'Where are the white people? Who's running that office?'"
For Leno, the reaction sprang from the "cultural bias" of white people who were not accustomed to seeing Black artists in those roles -- as successful businessmen. The host added that he saw Black people as "Batman."
The resurfaced interview received several responses from social media users, with many praising Murphy. One even called him an "underrated activist." Several also said they were inspired by the film.
"Eddie Murphy is an underrated activist! He needs his flowers for the good he has done for the black community," one commented.
"There were no roles like this before this movie, so he created it. This movie is the mother of all black love movies and black romance comedies. This movie paved the way for 'Love Jones,' 'The Best Man' and all of the classics," a second person opined.
"I love Boomerang! I wanted to be an administrator in my field so I could run it just like Marcus Graham!" another user remarked.
Last month, Murphy shared on the New York Times' "The Interview" podcast how comedians John Belushi and Robin Williams allegedly offered him coke when he was just 19 in the '80s. The "Norbit" star said he turned it down and was glad he did because being famous at a young age was like a "minefield" for Black artists. He considered his decision a "providence."
"When you get famous really young, especially a Black artist, it's like living in a minefield. Any moment something could happen that can undo everything," Murphy said.
"It was like, all of this stuff is going on, and I'm totally oblivious. Now, at this age, I can look back and be like, 'Wow, I came through a minefield for 35 years.' How do you make it through a minefield for 35, 40 years? Something has to be looking over you."
