Comedian turned actor Eddie Murphy is a Hollywood A-lister is whose outstanding gift as an actor has made him one of the world’s biggest stars. Over the past four decades, the New York native has been able to pick and choose the type of work he wants to do. It seems that has always been the case for the go-getter, whose estimated net worth is $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Gave Up Shoes
During a 2019 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” he recounted to the host and fellow “Saturday Night Live” alum one of his early jobs as a shoe salesman in Long Island. He took on this part-time gig while attending Nassau Community College and performing stand-up comedy in the late ’70s.
At just 17, his comedic prowess was already making waves. Performing at adult spots like The Winner’s Circle, a Westbury nightclub, promoters advertised him in a local paper as a comic “considered by many the funniest man in the U.S.” according to Newsday.
Fallon talked about his work history and later brought up Murphy’s stint at a shoe store during the interview, saying, “Right before you landed ‘SNL,’ you were fired from your job as a shoe salesman.”
Murphy quickly corrected him, saying, “I wasn’t fired. I quit that job.”
“I had worked at Chandler’s Shoes at the mall out on Long Island,” The “Coming to America” actor explained. “And I quit.”
Fallon then turned to the camera and quipped, “Everyone at Chandler’s Shoes, you missed out, and we’re so happy.”
Chandler’s Shoes, part of Edison Brothers Stores Inc., was a major shoe retailer with a history dating back to the early 20th century. By the time Murphy worked there, Chandler’s was celebrating its 55th anniversary.
The father of ten has never publicly shared why he decided to leave the store, but the bold move set the “Raw” entertainer on a path to greatness.
After quitting his job at Chandler’s, Murphy focused intently on his entertainment career.
His grandmother had been told by a fortuneteller that one of her children would become a big star, and Murphy seemed destined to fulfill that prophecy.
At 18, Murphy was performing in various comedy clubs and soon signed a three-year contract with agent and manager King Broder, who played a crucial role in Murphy’s early success. Broder helped Murphy land key projects, including “Saturday Night Live” and “Beverly Hills Cop,” the highest-grossing movie of 1984.
However, their relationship soured, leading to a legal battle in 1987. Broder claimed breach of contract, asserting that Murphy owed him a 25 percent commission on his earnings until 1986.
The star disputed this, arguing he was misled about Broder’s client roster, which supposedly included stars like Tina Turner and Teddy Pendergrass. The dispute ended in a settlement for an undisclosed amount.
“We settled because it was something that got blown out of proportion,” Murphy remarked. “I still have a couple of dollars left.”
Leaving Chandler’s Shoes and settling with Broder were pivotal decisions in Murphy’s early career, paving the way for him to become one of world’s greatest comedians, not a small feat for a teen shoe clerk from Roosevelt, New York.
