The Shocking Age: 5 Facts About How Old Eddie Murphy Was In The Original Beverly Hills Cop (And His Return At 63)

The question of "How old was Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop?" is more than just a trivia fact; it’s a testament to one of the most meteoric rises in Hollywood history. As of December 12, 2025, the release of the original 1984 blockbuster, which launched the iconic character Axel Foley, serves as a stunning benchmark for the comedian's early career dominance.

Eddie Murphy was an astonishingly young 23 years old when Beverly Hills Cop premiered on December 5, 1984, a detail that underscores his unprecedented success. This fact is made even more remarkable by the recent release of the fourth installment, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, which saw Murphy—now 63—reprise the role that defined his early cinematic journey.

Eddie Murphy: Biographical Snapshot & The Axel Foley Timeline

To fully appreciate the scope of his early achievement, it’s essential to look at the timeline of Eddie Murphy’s life and career leading up to his role as Detective Axel Foley, the wisecracking cop from the Detroit Police Department who finds himself in the opulent world of Beverly Hills.

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• Full Name: Edward Regan Murphy
• Date of Birth: April 3, 1961
• Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Age When Filming Beverly Hills Cop: 21–22 years old
• Age When Beverly Hills Cop Released (Dec 5, 1984): 23 years old
• Early Career Milestone: Joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1980 at age 19.
• First Film Role (48 Hrs.): Released in 1982; Murphy was 21.
• Second Film Role (Trading Places): Released in 1983; Murphy was 22.
• Latest Film Role (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F): Released on Netflix on July 3, 2024; Murphy was 63.

The Phenomenon of a 23-Year-Old Box Office King

The success of Beverly Hills Cop is inextricably linked to Eddie Murphy’s youthful charisma and energy. The film, directed by Martin Brest, was a critical and commercial smash hit, cementing Murphy’s status as a global superstar.

A Career Peak Before Age 24

What makes his age so astounding is the sheer volume of high-quality, high-grossing work he had already accomplished. By the time he turned 24, Murphy had not only starred in Beverly Hills Cop but had also achieved a series of career milestones that most actors never reach in a lifetime.

• The SNL Breakout: He was a main cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984, essentially carrying the show during a tumultuous period.
• The Movie Star Transition: His debut film, the buddy cop action comedy 48 Hrs. (1982), was a massive success, followed by the critically acclaimed Trading Places (1983), where he co-starred with Dan Aykroyd.
• The 1984 Dominator: Beverly Hills Cop became the highest-grossing film of 1984 in the United States, earning over $320 million worldwide. This financial triumph, combined with his recent departure from SNL, made him the most bankable star in Hollywood before his mid-twenties.

His performance as Axel Foley—a character originally envisioned for Sylvester Stallone, whose darker take would have drastically changed the film—was a perfect vehicle for Murphy's fast-talking, improvisational style. The film’s theme, "Axel F" by Harold Faltermeyer, became an instant cultural earworm, tying itself forever to Murphy’s youthful energy.

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From Young Turk to Veteran: The 40-Year Gap to Axel F

The gap between the original film and the 2024 sequel, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, is nearly 40 years, offering a fascinating contrast in Eddie Murphy’s career and physical approach to the role.

The Challenge of Reprising Axel Foley at 63

When filming the latest installment for Netflix, Murphy was 63 years old. He openly discussed the physical demands of playing the action-oriented Detective Foley four decades later.

In a candid interview, Murphy quipped about the stark difference: “I did Beverly Hills Cop when I was 21, and I'm 63 now. Now, I would rather not do any stunts.”

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The sequel, directed by Mark Molloy, brings back key original cast members, adding a layer of nostalgia that bridges the generational gap created by Murphy’s age difference. This return highlights the enduring legacy of the character he created as a young man.

Key Cast Members Returning for Axel F

The continuity of the franchise, despite the decades-long hiatus, relies heavily on the return of Murphy’s co-stars, who were also young men when the original film was made.

• Judge Reinhold as Detective Billy Rosewood
• John Ashton as Sergeant John Taggart
• Paul Reiser as Jeffrey Friedman (Axel’s Detroit partner)
• Bronson Pinchot as Serge

The new cast also includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Detective Bobby Abbott and Taylour Paige as Jane Saunders, Axel Foley's daughter, ensuring the franchise appeals to a new generation of viewers on the streaming service.

The Legacy of a Young Hollywood Powerhouse

Eddie Murphy’s age in the original Beverly Hills Cop—just 23—is a crucial element of the film’s lasting appeal. It captured him at the height of his youthful comedic power, transitioning from a sketch comedy star to a global action-comedy lead. The sheer force of his personality and his ability to carry a major studio film at such a tender age is a rare feat in cinema history.

From his debut in 48 Hrs. to his role as Billy Ray Valentine in Trading Places, and finally cementing his superstar status as Axel Foley, Murphy’s early twenties were a whirlwind of box office domination. His subsequent work, including classics like Coming to America and The Nutty Professor, only built upon the foundation he laid as a young man. The recent release of Axel F serves as a powerful reminder of that incredible start, showing a mature, veteran star revisiting the role that made him an icon before he could legally rent a car in many parts of the US.