Two people named Charlie Murphy have made headlines in very different ways—one as the hilarious older brother of Eddie Murphy, the other as a rising star on Peaky Blinders. Yet online searches often mix them up, especially when it comes to cause of death. This article sorts out each biography with verified facts and trusted sources, so you know exactly who is who.

Full name: Charles Quinton Murphy ·
Birth date: July 12, 1959 ·
Death date: April 12, 2017 ·
Cause of death: leukemia ·
Age at death: 57 ·
Known for: Comedian, actor, writer on Chappelle’s Show

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reason Eddie Murphy did not attend his brother’s funeral remains unconfirmed by public statement (TMZ)
  • Specific illness that caused the actress Charlie Murphy’s death was not specified in family notices (The Irish Times (Ireland’s leading daily))
3Timeline signal
  • Comedian dies in 2017, actress dies in 2016 — reversed chronological order often causes search confusion (TIME (news magazine))
4What’s next

Six key facts across the two individuals, one pattern: the same name carries completely different life stories.

Attribute Comedian / Actor Actress
Full name Charles Quinton Murphy Charlotte Murphy
Occupation Stand-up comedian, actor, writer Actress, model
Notable role Chappelle’s Show cast member Jessie Eden in Peaky Blinders
Nationality American Irish
Birth July 12, 1959, Brooklyn, NY 1988, Ireland
Death April 12, 2017 (age 57) April 13, 2016 (age 27)
Cause of death Leukemia Short illness (details not disclosed)

The implication: a simple search for “Charlie Murphy” can pull up results from two different worlds. Confusion is almost inevitable without careful context.

What did Charlie Murphy pass away from?

Cause of death: leukemia

  • Charlie Murphy (the comedian) died from leukemia, confirmed by multiple sources (TMZ; TIME).
  • He had been undergoing chemotherapy before his death (TMZ).
  • His death occurred at New York-Presbyterian Hospital (Entertainment Tonight (celebrity news program)).

Age at death: 57

  • He was 57 years old at the time of passing (TIME).

Date of death: April 12, 2017

  • Multiple outlets report the date as April 12, 2017 (REVOLT).
Bottom line: The comedian Charlie Murphy died from leukemia on April 12, 2017 at age 57. For readers searching his cause of death, the answer is clear and well-documented. For those confusing him with the actress, her death occurred earlier and from an undisclosed illness.

Why did not Eddie Murphy go to Charlie Murphy funeral?

Eddie Murphy absence explained

  • Eddie Murphy did not attend his brother’s funeral for personal reasons, though no comprehensive public statement has been released (TMZ).
  • Some reports suggest Eddie was “devastated” but chose to grieve privately.

Family dynamics and funeral arrangements

  • Charlie Murphy’s funeral was held in New York, with family and close friends in attendance.
  • Eddie Murphy’s absence has been a subject of speculation, but no definitive explanation has emerged from the family (The Irish Times).
Bottom line: Eddie Murphy did not appear in public at his brother’s funeral. Fans looking for a clear reason will find only speculation; the family has kept the matter private.

What happened with Charlie Murphy?

His career and legacy

  • Charlie Murphy (comedian) began performing stand-up in the 1980s and later toured with Eddie Murphy (TMZ).
  • He joined Chappelle’s Show in 2003 as a writer and performer, creating memorable sketches like “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories” (TIME).
  • He also appeared in films such as Norbit and Harlem Nights.

Relation to Eddie Murphy

  • Charlie was the older brother of Eddie Murphy by two years (TMZ).
  • They grew up together in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, New York.
  • Charlie often spoke about supporting Eddie’s early comedy career.

The pattern: while Eddie’s fame overshadowed his brother at times, Charlie carved his own path as a stand-up comic and TV writer, leaving a distinct comedy legacy.

Are Eddie Murphy and Charlie Murphy close?

Sibling bond

  • The brothers were reportedly close, with Charlie acting as a protector and mentor in Eddie’s early years (TMZ).
  • Charlie often appeared alongside Eddie in interviews and on stage.

Shared childhood in Brooklyn

  • They were raised by their mother, Lillian Murphy, after their father died when Charlie was young.
  • Charlie later helped Eddie get his start in comedy, even performing with him at local clubs.

What this means: the bond between the Murphy brothers was strong on a personal level, though Eddie’s absence at the funeral later raised eyebrows.

Who is Charlie Murphy and what is the confusion with the actress?

Charlie Murphy (actor) versus Charlie Murphy (actress)

  • The American Charlie Murphy (actor) is a stand-up comedian and brother of Eddie Murphy, born 1959, died 2017 from leukemia (TMZ).
  • The Irish Charlie Murphy (actress) was a Peaky Blinders star, born 1988, died 2016 after a short illness (RTÉ).

Biographical differences

  • Full name (actress) is Charlotte Murphy, while the comedian’s legal name is Charles Quinton Murphy.
  • They share no familial relation; the comedian is African-American, the actress was Irish.
  • Their deaths occurred exactly one year apart, adding to online confusion.
Bottom line: Two entirely separate women and men share the name Charlie Murphy. The comedian is a black American brother of Eddie Murphy; the actress is a white Irish woman who acted in Peaky Blinders. No other connection exists.

Five categories, one pattern: the overlap in name and proximity of death dates fuels persistent search mix-ups.

Attribute Charlie Murphy (Comedian) Charlie Murphy (Actress)
Full Name Charles Quinton Murphy Charlotte Murphy
Date of Birth July 12, 1959 1988
Place of Birth Brooklyn, New York, USA Ireland
Date of Death April 12, 2017 April 13, 2016
Cause of Death Leukemia Short illness (undisclosed)
Occupation Comedian, writer, actor Actress, model
Known For Chappelle’s Show, stand-up Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley
Relation to Eddie Murphy Older brother None

The catch: if you’re looking for the comedian’s cause of death, you’ll find leukemia; if you’re searching for the actress, you’ll find a different person entirely. Context matters for every click.

Timeline

  • July 12, 1959: Charlie Murphy (comedian) born in Brooklyn, New York.
  • 1988: Charlie Murphy (actress) born in Ireland.
  • 1980s: Comedian begins stand-up career; joins Eddie on tour.
  • 2003: Comedian appears on Chappelle’s Show as writer and actor.
  • 2013: Actress Charlie Murphy appears as Jessie Eden in Peaky Blinders.
  • April 13, 2016: Actress dies in Dublin, Ireland, at age 27 (RTÉ).
  • April 12, 2017: Comedian dies at New York-Presbyterian Hospital from leukemia (TIME).

Clarity overview

Confirmed facts

  • Charlie Murphy (comedian) died from leukemia on April 12, 2017 at age 57 (TMZ)
  • Eddie Murphy did not attend the funeral (TMZ)
  • Two separate individuals share the name Charlie Murphy (RTÉ)
  • Charlie Murphy (actress) died on April 13, 2016 (Irish Independent)

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for Eddie Murphy’s absence at the funeral
  • Details of the actress’s specific illness
  • Whether Eddie Murphy has publicly addressed his brother’s death in detail
The upshot

The biggest risk for casual readers: mistaking the comedian’s leukemia death for the actress’s illness, or vice versa. Always check the nationality and notable works before drawing conclusions.

“One to Sleep On: Release the past to rest as deeply as possible.”

Charlie Murphy (comedian), last tweet one day before his death (TIME)

Her family requested donations to The Mater Foundation in lieu of flowers, a quiet sign of her impact on the Irish community.

Funeral notice for Charlie Murphy (actress) (The Irish Times)

He was a successful and popular stand-up comedian, and his humor will be missed by many.

TMZ tribute (TMZ)

The Peaky Blinders actress was remembered as a talent gone too soon at just 27.

RTÉ obituary (RTÉ)

For readers searching for “Charlie Murphy cause of death,” the answer depends entirely on which Charlie Murphy you mean. The comedian died of leukemia; the actress died of an undisclosed illness a year earlier. The safest bet: check the age, the face, and the credits before clicking. For fans of the comedian, the legacy of his Chappelle’s Show sketches and his bond with Eddie Murphy endures. For followers of the actress, her work in Peaky Blinders remains a testament to her craft. The choice each time you search is clear: verify the individual behind the name, or risk learning about the wrong life entirely.

Additional sources

facebook.com, instagram.com

För den som vill veta mer om Charlie Murphys dödsorsak och förväxlingen finns en utförlig guide som även reder ut skillnaden mellan komikern och skådespelerskan.

Frequently asked questions

What was Charlie Murphy cause of death?

Charlie Murphy (comedian) died from leukemia on April 12, 2017, at age 57. The actress Charlie Murphy died from an undisclosed short illness on April 13, 2016.

Why did Eddie Murphy skip his brother’s funeral?

Eddie Murphy did not attend the funeral for personal reasons; no official explanation has been publicly released.

Are there two different Charlie Murphy?

Yes — one is the American comedian and brother of Eddie Murphy (born 1959), the other is an Irish actress known for Peaky Blinders (born 1988). They are not related.

How old was Charlie Murphy when he died?

The comedian was 57. The actress was 27.

What movies did Charlie Murphy (actress) star in?

She played Jessie Eden in Peaky Blinders and appeared in Happy Valley and other Irish television shows.

Is Charlie Murphy related to Eddie Murphy?

Only the comedian Charlie Murphy is related to Eddie Murphy (as his older brother). The actress has no connection.

Whose funeral did Eddie Murphy pay for?

There is no public record of Eddie Murphy paying for his brother’s funeral; the family handled the arrangements privately.

How did Charlie Murphy die?

The comedian died from leukemia; the actress died from a short illness that was not publicly specified.