Audie MurphyAudie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1924 – May 28, 1971) was the United States' most decorated combat soldier of World War II. He later became an actor and songwriter. BiographyAudie MurphyFrom an original family of 12 children, Audie Murphy was born into abject poverty. His father abandoned the family, and his mother died when he was 17, leaving him and five younger siblings still at home. He grew up in the rural area of Farmersville and later Greenville, Texas. Desperately needing money, he joined the United States Army in order to earn enough to help support his family. Rejected by the Marines because he was only 5 feet, 5 inches, (165 cm) tall, Audie Murphy fought in World War II with such courage that he received every decoration for valor that the United States had to offer, plus another five decorations were presented to him by Belgium and France. In one notable incident during the battle of the Colmar Pocket, he commanded Company B as it was attacked by six tanks. He ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions in the woods, but stayed forward at his command post to direct artillery fire by telephone. At one point, he climbed atop a burning tank destroyer. Even though it was in danger of exploding, he used its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy, despite being exposed to German fire from three sides. He was shot in the leg, but continued to single-handedly fight off the Germans, killing or wounding about 50 of them. After the war, his photo appeared on the cover of Life magazine and his 1949 autobiography To Hell and Back became a national bestseller. He was signed by Universal Studios, where he starred in more than 27 films. The 1955 film, To Hell and Back, based on his book, held the record as Universal's highest-grossing motion picture until 1975, when it was surpassed by Steven Spielberg's Jaws. In addition to acting in motion pictures, Murphy also became successful as a country music songwriter. However, in spite of his fame and fortune, the trauma of war affected him a great deal and he suffered considerably with what today is known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had a difficult life, suffering from a number of addictions, depression, and insomnia. Audie Murphy died in 1971 when the private plane he was flying in crashed in heavy fog near Roanoke, Virginia. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1996 the Texas Legislature officially declared his birthdate, June 20, as "Audie Murphy Day." In 1999, Governor George W. Bush, also made the same proclamation declaring June 20 to officially be "Audie Murphy Day" in the state of Texas. In the year 2000, Audie Murphy was further honored with his portrait on the 33 cent United States postage stamp. There is also an Audie Murphy Middle School in Fort Hood, Texas, named in his honor. Military honors
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There is also an Audie Murphy Middle School in Fort Hood, Texas, named in his honor. Eddie Murphy's older brother, Charlie Murphy, is also an actor, best known recently for his appearances on Chappelle's Show. In the year 2000, Audie Murphy was further honored with his portrait on the 33 cent United States postage stamp. Murphy claimed that he had just been driving through and she asked him for a ride home. Bush, also made the same proclamation declaring June 20 to officially be "Audie Murphy Day" in the state of Texas. In 1997 a police officer stopped Murphy and found a transvestite prostitute in the passenger's seat. In 1996 the Texas Legislature officially declared his birthdate, June 20, as "Audie Murphy Day." In 1999, Governor George W. Murphy was also a one-hit wonder in the 1980s with the single "Party All the Time". He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Doolitle, Shrek, Bowfinger). Audie Murphy died in 1971 when the private plane he was flying in crashed in heavy fog near Roanoke, Virginia. His record since then has been hit and miss, with several big flops (Holy Man, Pluto Nash) and some hits (Dr. However, in spite of his fame and fortune, the trauma of war affected him a great deal and he suffered considerably with what today is known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had a difficult life, suffering from a number of addictions, depression, and insomnia. Murphy's career continued to slide until 1996, when he would make his comeback in comedies, starting with The Nutty Professor. In addition to acting in motion pictures, Murphy also became successful as a country music songwriter. Richard Pryor had nothing good to say about the film or the star, which stunned Murphy, who had considered Pryor an idol. The 1955 film, To Hell and Back, based on his book, held the record as Universal's highest-grossing motion picture until 1975, when it was surpassed by Steven Spielberg's Jaws. Harlem Nights was savaged not only by the critics, but also by several of the actors in the film. He was signed by Universal Studios, where he starred in more than 27 films. However, in the late 80's and early 90's, Murphy's fame was fading via a series of poor sequels, drab comedies, and ego-driven vehicles that the public avoided in droves. After the war, his photo appeared on the cover of Life magazine and his 1949 autobiography To Hell and Back became a national bestseller. He made vicious comments about gays and AIDS during his 80's standup routines, so vicious that some years later he apologized for the remarks. He was shot in the leg, but continued to single-handedly fight off the Germans, killing or wounding about 50 of them. His early comedy was racy, akin to Richard Pryor, whom Murphy says was the one "that wanted [him] to get into comedy." Characterized by excessive swearing and making fun of gays, singers, and others, Murphy became, in a sense, the Pryor of the 1980s. Even though it was in danger of exploding, he used its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy, despite being exposed to German fire from three sides. A perfect example of this is The Nutty Professor, a remake of the Jerry Lewis classic in which Murphy plays several members of the Klump family as well as Sherman Klump's arrogant alter ego, Buddy Love. At one point, he climbed atop a burning tank destroyer. In many of his films, he plays multiple roles in addition to his main character. He ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions in the woods, but stayed forward at his command post to direct artillery fire by telephone. He is a versatile voice actor and voiced the donkey in the Shrek series and the dragon in Disney's Mulan. In one notable incident during the battle of the Colmar Pocket, he commanded Company B as it was attacked by six tanks. Murphy later starred in many comedies including the Beverly Hills Cop series, Trading Places and Coming to America. Rejected by the Marines because he was only 5 feet, 5 inches, (165 cm) tall, Audie Murphy fought in World War II with such courage that he received every decoration for valor that the United States had to offer, plus another five decorations were presented to him by Belgium and France. His characters include a parody of Buckwheat from the Little Rascals and of Fred Rogers. Desperately needing money, he joined the United States Army in order to earn enough to help support his family. Murphy began his comedy career at the young age of 19, as a performer on NBC's Saturday Night Live television show. He grew up in the rural area of Farmersville and later Greenville, Texas. Eddie Murphy (born Easter Monday April 3, 1961, Brooklyn, New York) is an African-American comedian and actor. His father abandoned the family, and his mother died when he was 17, leaving him and five younger siblings still at home. Shrek 2, 2004, Donkey (voice). From an original family of 12 children, Audie Murphy was born into abject poverty. The Haunted Mansion, 2003, Jim Evers. He later became an actor and songwriter. Daddy Day Care, 2003, Charlie Hinton. Audie Leon Murphy (June 20, 1924 – May 28, 1971) was the United States' most decorated combat soldier of World War II. Showtime, 2002, Trey Sellars. Belgian Croix de guerre with Palm. I Spy, 2002, Kelly Robinson. French Liberation Medal. The Adventures of Pluto Nash, 2002, Pluto Nash. French Croix de guerre with Silver Star. Shrek, 2001, Donkey (voice). French Croix de guerre with Palm. Dolittle. French Legion of Honor. Dolittle 2, 2001, Dr. French Fourragère in Colors of the Croix de guerre. Dr. Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar. The Klumps, 2000, Sherman Klump/Buddy Love/Grandma Klump/Mama Klump/Papa Klump/Young Papa Klump/Ernie Klump/Lance Perkins. Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar. Nutty Professor II. Combat Infantryman Badge. Life, 1999, Ray Gibson. Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Bowfinger, 1999, Kit Ramsey/Jeff Ramsey. Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp. Mulan, 1998, Mushu (voice). World War II Victory Medal. John Dolittle. American Campaign Medal. Dolittle, 1998, Dr. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star, Four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns) and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France). Dr. Distinguished Unit Emblem with First Oak Leaf Cluster. Metro, 1997, Scott Roper. Good Conduct Medal. The Nutty Professor, 1996, Sherman Klump/Buddy Love/Lance Perkins/Papa Klump/Mama Klump/Grandma Klump/Ernie Klump. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. Vampire in Brooklyn, 1995, Maximillian/Father Pauley/Guido. U.S. Beverly Hills Cop III, 1994, Axel Foley. Purple Heart with Second Oak Leaf Cluster. The Distinguished Gentleman, 1992, Thomas Jefferson Johnson. Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device and First Oak Leaf Cluster. Boomerang, 1992, Marcus Graham. Legion of Merit. Another 48 Hrs., 1990, Reggie Hammond. Silver Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster. Harlem Nights, 1989, Quick. Distinguished Service Cross. Coming to America, 1988, Prince Akeem/Clarence/Saul/Randy Watson. Medal of Honor. Eddie Murphy Raw, 1987, Eddie Murphy. Beverly Hills Cop II, 1987, Axel Foley. The Golden Child, 1986, Chandler Jarrell. Beverly Hills Cop, 1984, Axel Foley. Best Defense, 1984, Landry. Eddie Murphy Delirious, 1983, Eddie Murphy. Trading Places, 1983, Billy Ray Valentine. 48 Hrs., 1982, Reggie Hammond. |