Comedian Charlie Murphy Dead at 57 After Battling Leukemia

Comedian Charlie Murphy has died after battling leukemia. He was 57.

The comedian’s representative said Murphy, who was Eddie Murphy’s older brother, died Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reported.

Murphy was a standup comedian best known for his role as a writer on Chappelle’s Show. In a series of sketches called “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories,” he would share tales of ’80s Hollywood, including his and his brother’s interactions with Rick James and Prince. Murphy also hosted the Chappelle’s Show’s “lost episodes” with Donnell Rawlings after Dave Chappelle left the show.

In addition, Murphy co-wrote some of his younger brother’s movies and was an actor himself. He was most recently on tour last month as part of “The Comedy Get Down Tour” that featured Cedric “The Entertainer,” Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley and George Lopez.

Comedians mourned Murphy’s death on Twitter, with Chris Rock saying, “We just lost one of the funniest most real brothers of all time.”

His wife, Tisha Taylor Murphy, died in 2009 from cervical cancer. He is survived by three children.

Correction: The original version of this story misstated Charlie Murphy’s role on Chappelle’s Show. He was a writer who appeared as himself; he did not portray Prince or Rick James.