Eddie Murphy reveals that friend Michael Jackson was ‘shy’

Eddie Murphy looked back on meeting a painfully shy Michael Jackson at the home of Rat Pack icon Sammy Davis Jr.

The 61-year-old comic and movie star was dashing as ever Wednesday when he swung by Jimmy Kimmel Live! in a sleek all-black ensemble.

During his talk-show appearance, he recalled that Michael was once so nervous around the other celebrity guests at Sammy’s house that he shrank behind a door.

Collaborators: Eddie Murphy looked back on meeting a painfully shy Michael Jackson in the 1980s; the pair are pictured in their 1993 Whatzupwitu music video

Looking back: Michael then beckoned Eddie to join him in his hiding spot, where the befuddled comedian asked: ‘What the f***, yo?’

Back in the 1980s, Sammy would apparently throw movie nights at home on Tuesdays, including one where he exhibited the classic 1985 comedy Cocoon.

Eddie, having become a superstar on Saturday Night Live, was among the glittering array of boldface names invited to the soirees.

While rubbing shoulders with guests like Lucille Ball, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gormé, he also had run-ins with the ‘King Of Pop.’ 

The night Sammy showed Cocoon, Michael ‘was behind the door at first, ’cause it was too many people,’ Eddie revealed.

On the town: The 61-year-old comic and movie star was dashing as ever Wednesday when he swung by Jimmy Kimmel Live! in a sleek all-black ensemble

‘It was too many people in the room. He was hiding behind the door. He said: “Eddie, come!”‘ the Beverly Hills Cop star recalled.

Michael then beckoned Eddie to join him in his hiding spot, where the befuddled comedian asked: ‘What the f***, yo?’

Slipping into the perfect Michael Jackson impression he honed on Saturday Night Live, Eddie impersonated the singer saying: ‘It’s so many people in there!’ 

Eddie’s Michael Jackson sketches on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s became the stuff of legend, but he insisted the jokes were ‘never mean-spirited’ as ‘I knew him.’

Remember when: Eddie’s Michael Jackson sketches on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s became the stuff of legend, but he insisted the jokes were ‘never mean-spirited’ as ‘I knew him’

Indeed Eddie’s tenure on Saturday Night Live ended years before Michael’s most infamous scandals, including the allegations of child molestation, which the Thriller singer denied until his death aged 50 in 2009. 

Michael and Eddie were longtime friends and worked together multiple times, even collaborating on an R&B single entitled Whatzupwitu in 1993. 

Eddie was appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week in order to promote his upcoming culture clash comedy movie You People.

Side by side: Michael and Eddie were longtime friends and worked together multiple times, even collaborating on an R&B single entitled Whatzupwitu in 1993

Side by side: Eddie is pictured hosting a TV special honoring Sammy Davis Jr. in 1990, just months before the celebrated crooner’s death

Directed by Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, the film follows a romance between a white Jewish man and a black Muslim woman – and the tension between the families.

Lauren London plays the leading lady Amira while Jonah Hill, who co-wrote the script with Kenya, plays the male lead Ezra.

Meanwhile Eddie and Nia Long play Amira’s parents opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Duchovny as Ezra’s parents. 

With a cast that also features Mike Epps, Deon Cole, Rhea Perlman and La La Anthony, the movie will be available to stream on Netflix this Friday. 

Culture clash: Directed by Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, the film follows a romance between a white Jewish man and a black Muslim woman – and the tension between the families