The Making of a Stand-Up Guy

CHARLIE MURPHY is the outrageously funny comedian from Chappelle's Show, whose breakout role -- as himself -- in his True Hollywood Stories about Rick James and Prince rank among the best sketch comedy performances of all time. A successful stand-up comedian, screenwriter, and actor, Charlie has led an incredible life of highs and lows on his way to becoming a stand-up guy.

In his raucous and revealing memoir, Charlie details his life on the road with Eddie Murphy, his nights on the town with Rick James ("the first man I ever met who had a swimming pool in his living room"), and his crazy movie audition with Chris Rock. He takes us backstage with Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx; on the set with costars Denzel Washington, Vanessa Williams, and Sammy Davis, Jr.; in the studio with Stevie Wonder; and off the wall with Michael Jackson and Mike Tyson.

Along the way, Murphy reveals the ups and downs of his fascinating life -- growing up in Brooklyn, getting in trouble with street gangs on Long Island, doing time in jail, serving in the Navy, and supporting his brother's meteoric rise to fame as both protector and collaborator. After selling screenplays and landing roles in seminal films like Jungle Fever and CB4, Charlie decided to get up on stage -- at the age of forty-two -- and give stand-up comedy a try. And the rest, as they say, is history...

Filled with hilarious Hollywood antics and raw personal insights, The Making of a Stand-Up Guy is Charlie's story of finding his passion, seizing the day, and finally stepping into the spotlight with mic in hand. This is the real Charlie Murphy, unfiltered and unapologetic, in his own words.