Mel Brooks makes rare public appearance to honour Eddie Murphy in Netflix AFI special

Comedy legend Mel Brooks made a rare public appearance at the age of 99 to pay tribute to Eddie Murphy during The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy, which premiered on Netflix on Sunday.

In a pre-recorded message that opened the special, Brooks reflected on the history of comedy and praised Murphy as a performer whose influence extends far beyond stand-up and film. The filmmaker described Murphy as “a man full of greater surprises” and credited him with helping to “drive culture forward”.

Brooks began his tribute by discussing early screen comedy icons including Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd before connecting their legacy to Murphy’s impact on entertainment. He noted that only a select few performers manage to succeed across multiple mediums while creating characters that resonate deeply with audiences.

The appearance marked a rare moment in the spotlight for Brooks, who has largely kept a low public profile in recent years. The Oscar-winning creator of classics including Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and The Producers received the AFI Life Achievement Award himself in 2013.

Murphy was honoured with the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award during a gala ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles in April. The recognition celebrates individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on the art of film.

The tribute special celebrated Murphy’s decades-long career, from his breakout years on Saturday Night Live to blockbuster films such as Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Dreamgirls and Dolemite Is My Name. Brooks specifically highlighted Murphy’s ability to move between stand-up comedy, television and film while continually reinventing himself.

The Netflix special also featured tributes from several major stars and comedians, including Martin Lawrence, who reflected on his long friendship with Murphy and joked about going from being denied a photo with his idol to becoming his in-law after their children married.

Murphy joins an acclaimed list of AFI Life Achievement Award recipients that includes Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, Julie Andrews and Francis Ford Coppola.

For many viewers, however, one of the most memorable moments of the evening was seeing Brooks return to celebrate a fellow comedy icon, bringing together two generations of entertainment history in a heartfelt tribute.