'Keep Will Smith’s wife’s name out your mouth!': A look back at the Eddie Murphy’s golden rule for Hollywood success amid iconic Smith-Rock feud

"It's All Love": Eddie Murphy Digged Up Will Smith and Chris Rock Oscars Drama in Golden Globe Speech

"'Keep Will Smith's wife's name out your f***ing mouth!'" That's how Eddie Murphy, the comedy king himself, doled out a slice of wisdom while accepting his Golden Globe. Amid the glitz and glamour of the award ceremony, Murphy decided to turn back the clock and reference the Oscars slap heard around the world.

As reported by Daily Mail, while accepting the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award, Murphy offered three golden rules for success. One of which was a tongue-in-cheek nod to last year's Oscars fiasco involving Will Smith, Chris Rock, and Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia.

"You Have to Say Something About It, Then You Move On"

Murphy defended his controversial one-liner, saying, "No, I haven't spoken to Smith or Rock, but I love both of them." The 'Coming to America' star clarified that he wasn't too concerned about upsetting anyone. According to Entertainment Tonight, Murphy quipped, "I would have worked that joke right in there some kind of way," if he were hosting this year's Oscars.

Love, Friendship, and Some Jokes Along the Way

"Yeah, because in reality, I've worked with Jada. I love Will. I love Will, and I love Chris — and it's all love," Murphy emphasized. The actor co-starred with Jada Pinkett Smith in the 1996 hit comedy 'The Nutty Professor,' a remake of a Jerry Lewis vehicle from the 1960s.

Meanwhile, it's been a rocky year for Will Smith since the Oscars. After the infamous slap, Smith issued an apology the following day and subsequently resigned from the Academy. However, the slap continues to have ripple effects, as it led to a 10-year ban on Smith attending the Oscars ceremony.

The Last Word

In the midst of all the drama and apologies, Eddie Murphy's quip reminds us that comedy sometimes walks a fine line between humor and discomfort. And as Murphy puts it, "You have to say something about it, then you move on."

Eddie Murphy, in his own irreverent way, managed to dig up Hollywood's dirty laundry while also highlighting the fragile nature of friendships in the limelight. All in all, the Golden Globes showed us that whether it's Margot Robbie and Will Smith, or Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock, Hollywood is one big, complicated family where everyone, eventually, gets their moment under the sun—or the spotlight.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)