Eddie Murphy and Forrest Whitaker

It seems that many of the comedy greats got their start on the small stage—-doing stand-up comedy, that is. Murphy is no exception, though his onstage performances were something to behold, and it took someone with a fair amount of tolerance for raunchy and relative topics to appreciate Murphy’s genius. Murphy cleaned up his act and began taking roles in film, including Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, The Nutty Professor, and The Golden Child. Now regarded more as a serious actor than a former raunchy comedian, he has earned the respect of his colleagues and the following of many a devoted fan.

Forrest Whitaker, in stark contrast to Eddie Murphy’s lighter work, is well respected as a character actor who takes his craft very seriously. Earning critical acclaim for his work in The Bird, The Crying Game, Platoon, The Way of the Samurai, and many others, people continue to be amazed by his ability to portray characters with depth and emotion that few others can dredge up. Whether he functions in a leading or a supporting role, he is likely to leave you with a memorable performance that will tug at your heartstrings.