What's Inside?
- Eddie Murphy officially joins 'Pink Panther' reboot as Inspector Clouseau, promising a fresh, diverse take on the classic comedic detective.
- Murphy is also working on 'Shrek 5' and a George Clinton biopic, keeping his career momentum strong and varied.
- He shares heartfelt thoughts on son Eric’s marriage to Jasmin Lawrence, strengthening decades-long friendship with fellow comedian Martin Lawrence.
In a twist as bold as it is nostalgic, Eddie Murphy is officially donning the mustache and trench coat of Inspector Clouseau. The beloved comedy veteran confirmed that he will headline a reboot of The Pink Panther, breathing new life into one of cinema’s most iconic characters. With an already-packed slate that includes Shrek 5 and a George Clinton biopic, Murphy’s role as Clouseau promises a fresh spin on the bumbling French detective.
Eddie Murphy Is the New Inspector Clouseau in Upcoming ‘Pink Panther’ Reboot
The announcement came during Eddie Murphy’s appearance on TODAY, where he casually dropped the bombshell while discussing his upcoming projects with Al Roker. “I’m getting ready to do George Clinton, [of] Parliament-Funkadelic,” Murphy said. “I’ve already started Shrek 5. And I’m going to be — I’m Inspector Clouseau in the next Pink Panther.”
When Roker pressed him on the cultural angle of the character — famously French in all past iterations — Murphy leaned into the humor with a cheeky grin. “Maybe,” he said.
“Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he’s Black. He’s Black, for sure.”
Originally portrayed by Peter Sellers in 1963, Inspector Clouseau is an internationally adored figure of slapstick absurdity — a detective so inept he somehow always gets the job done. Sellers’ take turned Clouseau into a household name, followed by portrayals from Alan Arkin, Roger Moore, and Steve Martin. Now, Murphy, no stranger to physical comedy or reinvention, will bring his signature energy to the role.
Murphy has long been linked to the franchise, with reports of his involvement dating back to 2023. But hearing it straight from the man himself has sealed the deal.
Of course, this isn’t the only thing on Murphy’s plate. In The Pickup, he co-stars with Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer, diving into a high-stakes action-comedy. The film marks a reunion of sorts, as both he and Davidson are SNL alumni. “We have a lot in common,” Murphy said.
“We both started doing stand-up when we were really young, and we both lost our dads when we were really young.”
Still, Murphy is quick to point out the physical toll of action scenes now. “When you get our age, you have to pay,” he joked. “If you whip somebody’s ass when you’re our age, you kind of whip your own ass, too.”
Eddie Murphy Breaks Silence on Son’s Romance With Jasmin Lawrence, Daughter of Longtime Friend Martin Lawrence
Additionally, Murphy’s real-life script took a heartwarming turn when his son Eric married Jasmin Lawrence, daughter of fellow comedian Martin Lawrence.
Speaking to Extra at the L.A. premiere of The Pickup, Murphy shared his thoughts on the family tie-up. “We were friends for years and years,” he said.
“So, you know, it’s just cool to say, ‘Hey, now we’re in the family.’ Martin and I have been buddies for years.”
Despite the high-profile connection, the vibe is surprisingly low-key. “Really normal,” Murphy said of their family get-togethers. “I think people think jokes are just flying — and it’s not like that.”
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The wedding itself was an intimate affair. “They were gonna have a big wedding, then they went off and did a little thing,” Murphy revealed.
“She already had been in the family.” As for becoming a grandfather again? He’s leaving it up to fate. “I’m never pushing them. It’s a beautiful blessing and whenever it happens, it happens.”
Jasmin and Eric seem blissfully in sync. In their engagement announcement, Jasmin called their love “destiny.” Eric added in a touching tribute, “You make me a better man in every way. Thank you for being such an inspiration in my life.”
Murphy has a lot to celebrate, and now he is having the best of times.
