Eddie Murphy Says He Doesn’t Want a Funeral: ‘Just Let Me Go Out Quietly’

Eddie Murphy Says He Doesn’t Want a Funeral: ‘Just Let Me Go Out Quietly’ https://ift.tt/2OMe8Bz

Before revealing he doesn't want a funeral, the comedian joked that the 'Beverly Hills Cop' theme song should be played at his service

Matt Winkelmeyer/FilmMagic

Eddie Murphy at the 2023 Golden Globes

Eddie Murphy has specific wishes his family knows to follow upon his death.

In an interview with reporter Kevin McCarthy posted to Instagram on Wednesday, July 3, the comedian revealed that he doesn't want a funeral after joking that people should play the Beverly Hills Cop theme music at the event to make people "smile."

He reenacted his own acapella version of the jingle, stating that it should be played as he's buried.

"That's just a joke, 'cause I'm never having a funeral," he said.

Murphy went on to clarify: "I mean, I'm gonna die like everyone else. But [my loved ones] know...no funeral. Just let me go quietly."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kevin McCarthy (@kevinmccarthytv)

The interview was promoting his latest movie, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, the fourth installment in the action-comedy franchise, which was released on Wednesday, July 3.

Murphy reprises his role as Axel Foley in the film, a cop who returns to Beverly Hills after his daughter's life is threatened. It's been a decade since the third film was released.

Speaking with McCarthy, the actor joked that he's been asked how he feels about playing "the Black James Bond" and tells whoever asks him, "I don't have to be some Black James Bond. I have Axel Foley and he has theme music and everything."

Jimmy Kimmel Live/YouTube

Eddie Murphy

Related: The Cast of 1984's Beverly Hills Cop: Where Are They Now?

The Oscar-nominated actor has starred in many memorable comedy franchises, although only Beverly Hills Cop is action-heavy and his other characters don't have catchy theme music.

Following the success of Beverly Hills Cop and its sequel, Murphy led 1998's classic Coming to America as Prince Akeem, an African prince who goes to New York to find a wife. Its sequel, Coming 2 America, was released in 2021.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Eddie Murphy in 2023

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

He also played Professor Sherman Klump in The Nutty Professor, released in 1996. The film franchise, in which Sherman takes a chemical that makes him thin but changes his personality, got a sequel in 2000.

Murphy followed up that film in 1998 when he led the reboot of the Dr. Dolittle franchise, playing the titular character, who realizes he can talk to animals. He reprised the role in 2001.

Most recently, Murphy voiced Shrek's sidekick Donkey in four Shrek feature films.

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is now streaming Netflix.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.