Charlie Murphy — Eddie’s brother and NJ resident — dies at age 57

NEW YORK — Charlie Murphy, Eddie Murphy's brother, died at from leukemia at Manhattan hospital on Wednesday.

Born in Brooklyn, Murphy had made his home in Tewksbury in Hunterdon County in recent years with his two children.

TMZ reported the 57-year-old, who had appeared on Dave Chappelle's Comedy Central show "The Chapelle Show" had been undergoing chemotherapy and, according to family, had been doing better.

Murphy, who played prison guard Marshal Williams on the Starz show "Power," kept his battle with cancer a secret, according to TMZ, and told only very close family.

Vinnie Brand, owner of the Stress Factory comedy club in New Brunswick, told New Jersey 101.5 he was sad at hearing of Murphy's death and said he considered Murphy a close friend.

"I loved the guy. I found out two weeks ago he had leukemia," Brand said, and thought that he was going to be getting a bone marrow transplant soon.

"He was a brilliant storyteller. He'd go on stage and captivate people with his crazy stories. He was a down to earth guy and a really good guy," Brand said. "He would work to standing ovations every show."

Brand said that Murphy had a great smile and within three or four seconds of taking the stage "everyone just knows him already."

"He was just so happy and fun. Many, many nights at the club we've wrap up at 4:30 in the morning because after the show we would get to hang with Charlie."

Murphy became a household name after appearing on Dave Chappelle’s popular Comedy Central series, "Chappelle’s Show" with his famous skits, Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories. The Rick James and Prince skits were some of the show’s most popular, and remain cultural reference points years later.

Murphy went on to host the Charlie Murphy’s Crash Comedy series and the stand-up special "Charlie Murphy: I Will Not Apologize." Prior to appearing on "Chappelle’s Show" he appeared in the films Mo’ Betta Blues, CB4 and Jungle Fever and more.

Some remembrances on Twitter:

Boombox contributed to this report.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com

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