Bella Murphy reveals the acting tip she values most from Eddie Murphy
Synopsis
Bella Murphy is stepping out of her father's shadow — but not without his wisdom. The 24-year-old, making her solo feature debut in Adam Sandler's Roommates, says Eddie Murphy's mantra of doing less is more is the single piece of advice she carries onto every set. It is a masterclass in restraint, passed from one generation of Murphy talent to the next.
Key Takeaways
Bella Murphy , 24 , stars as Amber in Roommates , an Adam Sandler -produced comedy also featuring Sadie Sandler and Chloe East .
The film marks Bella's first feature debut without her father Eddie Murphy , after co-starring with him in Coming 2 America ( 2021 ).
Eddie's top advice to Bella: doing less is more — alongside taking her time and letting moments happen organically.
Bella says visiting her father's sets as a child, and deciding by age 9 that she wanted to act, was the turning point in her career path.
On set, she embraced improvisation, describing the experience as coming to work with a blank canvas but with all your colors ready.
Bella Murphy, the 24-year-old daughter of comedy legend Eddie Murphy, says her father's guidance continues to shape her performances — and one piece of advice stands above the rest. Speaking ahead of the release of Roommates, an Adam Sandler-produced comedy, Bella credited her father's philosophy of restraint as her on-set north star.
The Advice That Stuck
According to Bella, the most valuable tip Eddie has passed on is deceptively simple: doing less is more. She also cited his counsel to take her time and allow moments to organically happen as notes she actively recalls during shoots. 'He's definitely given me lots of great tips over the years,' she said. 'Some good ones that I really try to remember with my performances is to know that doing less is more.'
About Roommates and Bella's Role
Roommates is produced by Adam Sandler and features Sadie Sandler and Chloe East as Devon and Celeste, two college freshman roommates who cannot stand each other. Bella plays Amber, their friend who lives down the hall. The film marks her first feature debut independent of her father — she previously co-starred with Eddie in the 2021 film Coming 2 America.
Learning on Set
Bella also spoke about the broader lessons she absorbed during production. She said she learned to not be so married to her work going in, embracing improvisation and director-led adjustments with openness. 'They would throw out a line for you to say, or something for you to improv, and I love that stuff,' she said. 'It kind of felt like coming to work with a blank canvas, but with all your colors ready.'
How Eddie Murphy Inspired Her Path
Bella's interest in acting was sparked by childhood visits to her father's film sets. By the age of 9, she had already decided she definitely wanted to be an actress. 'My dad had a very big impact on me as a kid,' she recalled. 'Being able to go and visit him on sets, I just was always super interested in how films were made.' While Eddie's advice spans many areas, Bella acknowledged it is hard to pin down just one — making him her first call for a quick tip before any performance.
Point of View
Qualities that distinguish actors who last from those who peak early. Whether Roommates gives her the platform to demonstrate that remains to be seen, but the instincts she describes are the right ones.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bella Murphy and what is she known for?
Bella Murphy is the 24-year-old daughter of comedian and actor Eddie Murphy. She made her acting debut alongside her father in the 2021 film Coming 2 America and is now starring independently in the Adam Sandler-produced comedy Roommates.
What is the one piece of advice Bella Murphy values most from Eddie Murphy?
Bella has said the advice she most tries to remember is that doing less is more. She also values his guidance to take her time and let moments happen organically during performances.
What is Roommates about and who stars in it?
Roommates is an Adam Sandler-produced comedy featuring Sadie Sandler and Chloe East as Devon and Celeste, two college freshman roommates who loathe each other. Bella Murphy plays Amber, their friend who lives down the hall.
How did Eddie Murphy influence Bella Murphy's decision to become an actress?
Bella has said that visiting her father on film sets as a child made her super interested in how films were made. By the age of 9, she had decided she definitely wanted to pursue acting, citing Eddie's career as the inspiration.
Has Bella Murphy acted with Eddie Murphy before?
Yes. Bella co-starred with Eddie Murphy in the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America. Roommates marks her first feature film debut without her father in the cast.
