Keegan-Michael Key on working with Eddie Murphy in film

Actor Keegan-Michael Key discussed working with EDDIE Murphy on "My Name is Dolemite." He said now he knows what it feels like having the chance to work with his idol.

"To work with Eddie Murphy has been one of the greatest experiences of my career," he said. It's very surreal to have an opportunity to work with a hero, to work with a person who got you into the business."

Keegan-Michael Key, left, and Elisa Key attend a special screening of "After the Wedding," at the Regal Essex on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019, in New York. [Photo: IC]

The upcoming film is based on the life of Rudy Ray Moore, the legendary comedian who turned his fledgling career into a word-of-mouth sensation by creating the character "Dolemite" with a movie of the same name. The film is a standout of the Blaxploitation era.

Key joked about wanting to tell Murphy how much he inspired him while they were on set together.

"What do you tell a person other than, 'You inspired me to do what I do?' You can just as easily say, 'You inspired me to be here today with you," he said. My career took this path and now I'm here with you.' And I find it interesting that we're making a movie that's a biopic about one of his heroes. It's this interesting full-'circly' kind of thing that Eddie is playing a hero of his and I get to be in a movie with him who is my hero."

"My Name is Dolemite" will premiere on Netflix and will be released in select theatres this fall.

(Story includes material sourced from AP)