Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson Reunite: An Honest, Joyful Conversation After 18 Years

When icons like Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson sit down for a reunion, you know something special will happen. Their recent chat on The Jennifer Hudson Show wasn't just a look back—it was a mix of laughter, memories, and real stories about show business highs, family surprises, and a bond that picked up right where it left off.

In this post, you'll find insider moments from their “Dreamgirls” days, stories about surprise weddings, SNL jokes, and the creative spark that never quits. Let’s get started with everything they shared during this one-of-a-kind interview.

Reuniting After Almost Two Decades

Reflecting on Their Last Meeting: Oscars & Dreamgirls

Time flies, but some memories stay fresh no matter how many years pass. As Jennifer Hudson welcomed Eddie Murphy, the energy in the room was electric. Both were amazed at just how long it had been since their last meeting. Jennifer said, "No way... Yes, 18 years ago." The last time they saw each other? The Academy Awards, right after their roles in the movie Dreamgirls.

Their laughter about how quickly two decades had gone by set the tone. Next year marks 20 years since Dreamgirls put them together in Hollywood’s spotlight. Jennifer teased, recalling, "I was only 25... just a baby!" Eddie agreed, putting everyone back in those unforgettable Oscar-night shoes.

You could see they were both proud of the work they did together. Dreamgirls wasn’t just another film—it was a life-changing project that shaped their careers and the music movie world.

Jennifer Hudson’s Journey to EGOT Status

What started on a film set quickly turned into a tale of music, awards, and breaking barriers. Jennifer Hudson’s rise from Dreamgirls to multi-award stardom is something you don’t see every year. During the interview, Eddie pointed out her incredible haul of awards with genuine admiration.

Jennifer now holds the rare EGOT status, which means she’s won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. She’s in exclusive company—only a handful of artists have ever done it.

Here’s a quick look at her major awards:

Emmy Award
Grammy Award
Oscar
Tony Award

For more on her journey, visit her official page.

Behind the Scenes of Dreamgirls and Music Memories

Eddie’s Dreamgirls Experience: A Dream Project

Eddie Murphy spoke warmly about his experience filming Dreamgirls. For Jennifer, the project was a whirlwind first-film experience. For Eddie, working on Dreamgirls with such amazing new talent left a mark. He called it a dream, saying, "It was a dream for me."

Jennifer recalled the magic—and nerves—of acting opposite Eddie Murphy in her very first movie role. Not only that, she walked away with an Oscar for her performance, making the win even sweeter. Eddie joked about all her award wins, playfully calling it the "E Got," his take on EGOT—with the added E for Eddie, of course.

Their back-and-forth felt less like an interview and more like friends catching up after too long apart.

Eddie Murphy the Singer: Hits and Hidden Gems

Not everyone knows Eddie Murphy’s musical background. During the chat, Jennifer brought up Eddie’s singing chops, with a nod to his hit single from the '80s: “Party All the Time.”

The backstory? Rick James wrote “Party All the Time” in 1984, and the song almost made it to the top of the charts. Eddie laughed as he recalled, "That’s the only reason we didn’t go to number one—Lionel Richie’s song was out." The track landed at number two, but it’s stayed popular over the years.

Here’s a shortlist of Eddie Murphy’s high-profile, yet unreleased, musical collaborations:

Michael Jackson: Recorded tracks together that have never seen public release.
B.B. King: More unreleased gems from studio sessions.
Other major artists: Eddie just smiled and hinted there’s even more locked away.

Eddie confirmed he still records music, always making new tracks. If you want to revisit his music career, start with his music video collection.

Unreleased Tracks: Michael Jackson, B.B. King and More

Looking back, Jennifer teased Eddie about his secret stash of unreleased music, especially his creative time with Michael Jackson. Eddie confirmed it was true, holding up an old photo with Michael and calling attention to how happy he looked.

The best part? Eddie confessed there are many more hidden tracks with other legends, proving his place in music is more than a fun side project—it’s a real passion.

Family Moments and New Chapters

Eddie’s Son’s Surprise Wedding

Personal stories always make an audience lean in, and Eddie’s account of his son’s wedding did just that. Unlike a flashy Hollywood event, his son and daughter-in-law decided on a private ceremony—just the two of them and a preacher. Jennifer playfully pointed out that not having a big wedding meant Martin Lawrence, now his in-law, was off the hook for a party.

The lack of a big event didn’t dull the excitement. Eddie chuckled, sharing that Martin and he are now in-laws, a fact that brought a big grin to both their faces.

Did Eddie Sing at the Wedding?

Naturally, Jennifer had to ask whether Eddie used his musical gifts at the wedding. Eddie laughed and gave an honest answer: “No, I ain’t sing no.” He explained that with no big wedding, there was no stage for a performance—though Jennifer and the audience agreed a party is in order!

The playful banter didn’t stop there. Jennifer suggested that maybe Martin could sing, and the two joked about a possible Eddie and Martin wedding duet in the future.

Comedy Genius at Work: Future Projects with Martin Lawrence

Looking Ahead: New Film Ideas

When Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence team up, fans know to expect plenty of laughs. Eddie shared that the two have talked about collaborating on a movie inspired by the 1960s classic It’s a Mad Mad World. His vision: pack the film with the best Black comedians working today.

Martin Lawrence would definitely be on board, Eddie confirmed. This idea isn’t set in stone yet, but you can sense the energy and excitement as they brainstorm during the interview.

Comedy Characters and Spontaneous Pitches

Eddie’s creative mind races ahead, even in interviews. He suggested Martin’s famous Dragonfly Jones character would make a brilliant movie lead—picturing a fast-paced, action-packed comedy in the spirit of Austin Powers. He even came up with a title on the spot: Enter the Dragonfly.

Here are some of the movie ideas floated during their talk:

Remake of It’s a Mad Mad World with top Black comedians
Dragonfly Jones movie: An action-comedy vehicle for Martin Lawrence’s martial arts spoof persona
Potential cameo or co-direct projects between Eddie, Martin, and other comedy greats

Jennifer played the perfect host, encouraging all these ideas and reacting with genuine excitement.

Creative Collaboration in Action

You could tell that Eddie and Martin’s natural comedy chemistry would translate well into any new film. Eddie admitted he often pitches these ideas off the cuff, sometimes surprising his friends. That open, creative spirit is clearly a hallmark of their friendship.

Saturday Night Live Turns 50: Eddie Murphy’s Reflections

Going Back to SNL After 40 Years

Saturday Night Live celebrates its half-century mark, so it was fitting for Eddie to talk about returning to the stage that helped launch his career. Eddie described joining SNL at just 19 years old, and returning decades later felt surreal.

Being surrounded by generations of SNL alumni gave him “this really great feeling, like, wow—I’m part of this show.” His remarks hit home because SNL isn’t just a comedy show; it’s an American institution that’s brought laughter to millions.

Best Sketches and Impressions: Black Jeopardy & Tracy Morgan

Jennifer brought up one of the standout sketches from Eddie’s return: Black Jeopardy, in which Eddie did a spot-on impression of Tracy Morgan right in front of Tracy himself. Eddie laughed, pointing out the quirks of doing impressions—do it right, and soon everyone follows your lead.

“It was a cool obscure impression to do,” he said, adding that now plenty of comedians imitate Tracy using Eddie’s version as inspiration.

Will Ferrell’s Surprise Moment

Another unforgettable SNL moment came courtesy of Will Ferrell, who made a surprise appearance in a half-dressed, unforgettable getup. Eddie explained that Will never attended rehearsals, so his wild on-air costume caught him completely off guard.

Eddie kept it together on screen but admitted it was tough not to laugh out loud during the performance. He credited Will’s courage and sense of humor, calling him “brilliant” and one of his comedy favorites.

Breaking Character: Why Laughter Is Contagious

Eddie gave a glimpse behind the curtain, talking about moments when he just can’t hold back the laughter. “I start laughing all the time,” he admitted, adding that viewers love it when stars break character for genuine reasons.

But there’s a difference between real and fake laughs on stage. The audience can always tell when someone is putting it on, so Eddie believes in keeping it honest and letting those funny moments happen when they do.

Here are a few of Eddie’s top SNL moments:

Classic impressions (like Tracy Morgan)
Iconic sketches (such as Black Jeopardy)
Scenes where he breaks character and the laughter is real

Those are the moments that stick with audiences for years.

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Closing Thoughts

The reunion between Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson truly felt like a family celebration. Their lively conversation reminded fans how authentic connections and real stories endure long past any award or movie premiere. From Oscar memories to SNL antics and future projects, their friendship is proof that time, talent, and laughter always bring people back together.

Want more heartfelt interviews, music moments, and comedy classics? Make sure to subscribe and follow The Jennifer Hudson Show across your favorite platforms. You never know what magic, stories, or surprises may turn up next.

Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson Reunite: An Honest, Joyful Conversation After 18 Years

Reuniting After Almost Two Decades