Eddie Murphy and His Mom

Eddie never even flinched, though his bodyguard gave us a nasty look.

Way back in 1988, my brother-in-law Ron and I, on our return trip from the Calgary Olympics, had a layover at LAX. We were just hanging out near our gate when here comes Mr. Eddie Murphy himself and an entourage of some very large men returning to L.A. He was looking straight ahead and angry as they marched past us, not five feet away.

Ron, who is a big fan of Mr. Murphy, decides he will get his attention and let's out a very loud "I ain't fallin' for no banana in the tailpipe" from _48 Hours._ Eddie never even flinched, though his bodyguard gave us a nasty look.

Years later, in Englewood, New Jersey, I was working as a repairman for Bell Atlantic and made a house call at Eddie's mom's house. I related the previous story to her. She said, "He's a little crabby sometimes." Then she showed me the mini Eddie Murphy Museum in her house and the nice cars he bought her. Very nice woman.