"Eddie's always had the power," says his friend Robert Townsend, "but now he's flexing his muscles more." And why not? Murphy, 27, may be the most popular movie comedian since Charlie Chaplin. Beverly Hills Cop ranks No. 9 among all-time box-office champs; Cop II was last summer's monster hit; Raw, released at Christmas, was the top-grossing concert film ever. Now Murphy has upended his strutting, misogynist image to play an innocent prince pursuing an independent woman. In Coming to America, Eddie is ready for love.
Hollywood's moneymen surely love Murphy. Last week CBS signed him to a three-year contract for shows...