Imagine holding onto a grudge for over two decades just because of a single, biting joke—now that's the kind of drama that Hollywood dreams are made of, and it's exactly what happened between comedy legends David Spade and Eddie Murphy. But here's where it gets controversial: was Spade's punchline really crossing the line into something more hurtful, or was it just harmless showbiz banter? Stick around as we dive into the details, because the resolution might surprise you more than you think.
David Spade, the hilarious star known for films like 'Tommy Boy,' recently spilled the beans about his rocky history with Eddie Murphy, the iconic comedian behind 'Coming to America.' During a lively chat on his 'Fly on the Wall' podcast featuring guest Dana Carvey, Spade, now 61, revealed that Murphy, 64, harbored deep resentment toward him for nearly 30 years—all stemming from a cheeky remark Spade made on 'Saturday Night Live' back in December 1995.
Picture this: In his notorious 'Spade in America' sketch, Spade quipped, 'Look, children, it’s a falling star,' as a photo of Murphy flashed on screen, adding, 'Make a wish.' He even doubled down with, 'Yes, that’s right. You make a Hollywood Minute omelet, you break some eggs.' These lines were poking fun at Murphy's career at the time, and they clearly struck a nerve. For beginners in the comedy world, this is akin to roasting a fellow performer in front of millions—it's all in good fun for some, but it can feel personal and cutting to others.
Spade admitted on the podcast that he genuinely admires Murphy, calling him a hero. But after that joke, their friendship took a nosedive. 'I do love Eddie Murphy,' Spade shared with Carvey. 'We had some bumps in the road along the way, early on. It was weird going from being a super fan to having him hate me overnight, and to try to win him back for the last 25 years.' He recalled how Murphy confronted him over it: 'I made fun of him and it didn’t go well, and he called me and we had it out. Actually, he had it out. I didn’t fight back really, because I did feel a little guilty about it, and he did make some sense.'
And this is the part most people miss—the reason it stung so deeply. Murphy had just released 'Vampire in Brooklyn,' which bombed at the box office, so the timing couldn't have been worse. From Murphy's perspective, as he later told The New York Times in a June 2024 interview, the joke felt like a 'racist' cheap shot from someone he considered 'one of the family' on SNL. 'It was like, “Yo, it’s in-house! I’m one of the family, and you’re f–king with me like that?” It hurt my feelings,' Murphy explained. He elaborated further in his Netflix documentary 'Being Eddie,' released last month, comparing it to his 'alma mater' taking a jab at his career: 'Called me a falling star.'
Despite the hurt, both comedians have moved past it. They mended fences during the 'SNL' 50th anniversary special in February, where they chatted and cleared the air. Spade noted, 'We talked a little bit and everything’s fine, and then he admitted on the show... he said, “Yeah, we’re all good.” So we’re all good... Eddie, he just totally let it go.' Earlier this year, Spade reiterated on another podcast episode that 'everything bad has evaporated' between them, describing their reunion as friendly with 'no weird vibes.'
But here's where it gets controversial again: Should comedians be held accountable for jokes that land poorly, especially if they touch on sensitive topics like race or career lows? Was Spade's apology and persistence enough, or does forgiveness in showbiz come with strings attached? What do you think—does this feud highlight the thin line between humor and hurt, or is it just par for the course in comedy? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree with Murphy's take or if you side with Spade's regretful perspective. After all, in the world of laughter, where do we draw the boundaries?
