Eddie Murphy was warned by Sidney Poitier not to star in "Malcolm X." During an interview for Apple TV+'s "Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood," Murphy revealed he bumped into ...

"Sidney Poitier said, 'You are not Denzel [Washington], and you are not Morgan [Freeman]. You are a breath of fresh air, and don’t f*** with that!'" Murphy recalls.

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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter ... for 5 Minutes and 40 Seconds Sidney Poitier Told Eddie Murphy to Turn Down One Dramatic Movie Role: ‘You Are Not Denzel ...

And they approached me about playing Alex Haley." Murphy continues: "And some-kind-of-where around that same time, I bumped into Sidney Poitier at something. And I asked him, ‘Yeah, I’m ...

Poitier likely meant that instead of conforming to traditionally dramatic actors like Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, Murphy should stay true to his vibe. Apple TV Plus: 7-Day Free Trial ...

Sidney Poitier (left) and Eddie Murphy.