Eddie shares stories from his performances in Saturday Night Live, Coming To America, The Nutty Professor, Dolemite is My Name, Harlem Nights, Beverly Hills Cop, 48 HRS, Trading Places, and Dreamgirls in this interview covering his acting career. He talks about working with Richard Pryor, meeting Marlon Brando, his knack for imitations, voice acting, and important lessons he has learned throughout his career. This Q&A moderated by Jenelle Riley, Variety, is part of the SAG-AFTRA Conversations series, an essential resource for actors, filmmakers and students of discussions with performers, exploring the process and profession of acting.

The views expressed in the presentation materials and films, and by the guests and moderators are solely those of the organization and/or individual providing them and do not reflect the opinions of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, its staff or Board of Directors.

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0:00 Introduction
0:42 SAG card
2:15 Starting comedy
3:30 Saturday Night Live
10:37 48 HRS, Trading Places, leaving SNL
15:23 Beverly Hills Cop
17:36 Coming 2 America
20:51 Harlem Nights
24:29 The Nutty Professor, voice acting
31:23 Children
35:58 Dreamgirls
38:40 Dolemite Is My Name
42:36 Rudy Ray Moore
50:34 Richard Pryor
53:15 Navigating business, Marlon Brando
59:10 Acting coaches, music
1:04:03 Childhood, imitations
1:07:32 Important lessons, advice
1:12:43 Reactions to imitations
1:14:02 Role you’d love to play
1:17:13 What’s next