Actor Noah Wyle says Eddie Murphy told him to buzz off when he was 9

Actor Noah Wyle has recalled a childhood encounter with Eddie Murphy in which the comedian allegedly rejected his request for an autograph, saying the experience shaped how he treats young fans.

Speaking on this week’s episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler, The Pitt star said he was nine when he approached Murphy and told him how much he enjoyed watching him on Saturday Night Live. According to Wyle, Murphy initially responded by asking: “What are you doing up that late?”

Wyle said that when he followed up with a request for an autograph, Murphy replied: “F*** off, man.” The actor said the encounter stayed with him and influenced his own approach to meeting children. He explained that he does not turn down young fans who ask for his signature.

Decades later, Wyle’s daughter Frances found a way to recreate the autograph he never received. He said Frances, 10, surprised him for his birthday last year with a printed photograph of Murphy bearing a handwritten message she had created herself. She signed it as though it had come from the comedian, misspelling his first name as “Eddy”.

Wyle said he treasured the gift and had it framed in his office. Poehler responded to the story with humour, joking that people might have become a little too nice to children.