A day after Charlie Murphy died of cancer at the age of 57, members of the comedian’s family have issued a statement to the public.
These members, of course, include Murphy’s very famous brother, Eddie.
Scroll down for a look at what those who knew Charlie best and loved him most had to say about his unexpected passing…
“Our hearts are heavy with the loss today of our son, brother, father, uncle and friend Charlie,” the statement reads.
It continues:
“Charlie filled our family with love and laughter and there won’t be a day that goes by that his presence will not be missed. Thank you for the outpouring of condolences and prayers.
“We respectfully ask for privacy during this time of great loss for all of us.”
Murphy kept his Leukemia diagnosis secret from his co-workers, according to TMZ insiders.
And while his relatives were aware that Charlie was sick, they were under the impression that he was getting better. Sources say they were stunned by his death on Wednesday.
According to Murphy’s manager, the star passed away in a New York City hospital, having been undergoing chemotherapy treatments for an unspecified period of time prior to his passing.
Family members, however, told TMZ shortly afterward that they spoke to Charlie often; that he would frequently joke about how they should leave him alone; and that he offered no signs that the situation was so dire.
Murphy famously co-starred on Chappelle’s Show.
He appeared in some of the most memorable skits from this beloved program, including segments in which he parties with Rick James and Prince.
Charlie also co-wrote some of his brothers films, such as Norbit and Vampire in Brooklyn, while co-starring in Are We There Yet?, The Boondocks and Black Jesus.
Murphy most recently toured with Cedric the Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, George Lopez and D.L. Hughley on The Comedy Get Down.
All of these comedians, along with many others in Hollywood, expressed their surprise and sadness over Murphy’s passing on social media yesterday.
Here’s a look at what they said:
Charlie’s wife, Tisha Taylor Murphy, died in 2009 from cervical cancer.
They had two children, and he had another child from a previous relationship.
In an interview with Variety last September, Eddie Murphy opened up about how his older brother was responsible for his career in comedy.
“Charlie is actually my best impression,” the former Saturday Night Live icon said at the time, explaining:
“I’ve been doing him since I was two or three. He was my first impression. I wish he would get famous because people could see this great impression that I do.”
Tweeted Hughley in a nice summation of his close friend:
“After every gig, he rushed home to be with his kids. He died with gigs on the books. #RIP #mybrotha #charliemurphy #CGD.”
May Charlie Murphy, and all the celebrities who died in 2017, rest in peace.