The American Film Institute (AFI) presented the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award to Eddie Murphy on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at a Gala Tribute in Hollywood. The tribute special, The 51st AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO EDDIE MURPHY, will premiere on Netflix on May 31, 2026.

Byron Allen, Joe Piscopo, Dave Chapelle, Keegan-Michael Key, Sugar Ray Leonard, Nia Long, David Alan Grier, Bill Burr, Arsenio Hall, Dan Aykroyd's daughter Belle Aykroyd and more join the tribute. Jennifer Hudson and a house band led by Rickey Minor perform.

The evening gala to present this award is an annual fundraiser and raised over 2.5 million for AFI's Non-Profit Education Programs. The AFI Life Achievement Award, established by the AFI Board of Trustees in 1973, is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria as mandated through a resolution passed by the AFI Board of Trustees: "The recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time."