Noah Wyle Says Eddie Murphy Cursed Him Out at Age 9
By @sharedot · · 6 pages
- Comedy
- Eddie Murphy
- Noah Wyle
- Snl
- Good Hang Podcast
Noah Wyle tells Amy Poehler's podcast that Eddie Murphy refused an autograph and swore at him when Wyle was just 9 years old.
A Comedy Hero's Harsh Rejection, 45 Years Later
Noah Wyle, now 55 and starring in "The Pitt," shared a story he says he has carried for more than four decades: as a 9-year-old "Saturday Night Live" fan, he approached Eddie Murphy, then an SNL superstar, and asked for an autograph, telling the comedian, "I really like you on 'SNL.'"
According to Page Six's account of the interview, Murphy — now 65 — asked the young Wyle why he was "up that late" watching the NBC sketch show before telling him to "f–k off" over the autograph request.
The "ER" alum recounted the exchange this week on Amy Poehler's podcast "Good Hang," laughing about it with Poehler, herself an SNL alum.
Watch Wyle Tell the Story Himself
Watch on YouTube · Good Hang with Amy Poehler · 1:15:08
The story comes from Wyle's appearance this week on "Good Hang with Amy Poehler," where the actor walked Poehler — who was on "SNL" from 2001 to 2008 — through the run-in, the vow it inspired, and his family's merciless teasing.
The clip matters because it is the source of every detail: both Page Six and Wide Open Country built their coverage from this interview, including Wyle's claim that the incident happened over 45 years ago and his admission that he now "always" signs autographs for kids.
Poehler's own advice during the conversation — skip the studio and just enjoy hosting — is also part of the same chat.
Why It Stings — and Why Fans Are Delighted
Wide Open Country notes the exchange "clearly scarred" Wyle for decades — but also taught him a lesson. "So, I always sign an autograph," Wyle insisted, adding, "Whenever a nine-year-old needs an autograph from me, I sign that so fast."
Fans get a comedy legend behaving badly in a way the teller himself now finds hilarious, with the moral built in.
The Framed Gift, and Wyle's SNL Pitch
The story has become legendary in the Wyle household. Per Page Six, Wyle's 10-year-old daughter Frances — now 11 — last year printed a picture of Murphy and wrote on it, "Dear Noah, you're a great kid, Eddie Murphy," misspelling Eddie as "E-D-D-Y."
She framed the tale with a fake story about spotting Murphy, and Wyle keeps the gag gift framed in his office, calling it "the greatest gift."
Wyle also told Poehler he "would love" to host SNL, saying he recently "put the bee in the bonnet" of creator Lorne Michaels — though Poehler advised him not to live in the studio all week. Wide Open Country speculates the dream ending would be a Murphy cameo.
A rep for Murphy did not immediately respond to Page Six's request for comment.