Eddie Murphy as Norbit: Cast and Dual Role Overview
Eddie Murphy stars as Norbit Albert Rice, the adult protagonist, and also portrays Rasputia Latimore, the antagonist, in the 2007 comedy film Norbit. The dual role required Murphy to wear heavy prosthetics and makeup for Rasputia, a character described in production notes as a large, domineering figure. The film also features Eddie Griffin as the adult version of Norbit's childhood friend, and the supporting cast includes Thandie Newton as Kate Thomas, the childhood sweetheart who returns to help Norbit. Murphy's performance as Rasputia earned him a nomination for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress, a category that highlights performances considered substandard by critics. The film was produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions and distributed by Paramount Pictures, a major studio division of ViacomCBS at the time. The ensemble cast also includes notable supporting actors such as Eddie Griffin, who plays the role of Blue, a childhood friend of Norbit. The production team included director Brian Robbins, who had previously collaborated with Murphy on the film Life. The makeup and prosthetics for Murphy's dual role were designed by makeup artist Rick Baker, a veteran in the industry known for his work on numerous films. The film's runtime is 91 minutes, and it was rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language, and some violence. The casting of Murphy in both lead roles was a central marketing point for the film, with trailers emphasizing his transformation into the character Rasputia. The film's production budget was reported to be around 60 million dollars, according to industry sources. The dual role structure allowed the film to explore contrasting personality traits within a single actor's performance, a common technique in comedy films. The supporting cast members were selected to provide a mix of dramatic and comedic moments throughout the film. The film's dialogue includes references to the fictional town of Latimore, where much of the story takes place. The casting of Thandie Newton as Kate Thomas was noted by reviewers for bringing a grounded presence to the film's romantic subplot. The film's credits list Eddie Murphy as both Norbit and Rasputia, highlighting the dual role as a central feature of the production. The supporting cast also includes actors such as Terry Crews, who plays the role of a bouncer in the film. The film's production design aimed to create a small-town atmosphere, with sets designed to resemble a rural community. The makeup and prosthetics used for Murphy's Rasputia character were a significant technical achievement, requiring several hours of application each day. The film's cast also includes a number of child actors who play the younger versions of Norbit and Kate. The dual role structure allowed Eddie Murphy to showcase his range as a performer, moving between the timid Norbit and the boisterous Rasputia. The film's supporting cast members were selected to provide a mix of dramatic and comedic moments throughout the film. The film's dialogue includes references to the fictional town of Latimore, where much of the story takes place.
Norbit Box Office Performance and Financial Data
Norbit grossed approximately 154 million dollars worldwide, with a significant portion of that total coming from the North American market. The film opened at number two at the U.S. box office in its first weekend, earning around 33 million dollars, according to industry tracking data. The production budget was reported to be around 60 million dollars, which included costs for Eddie Murphy's dual role makeup and prosthetics. The film's box office performance was considered a commercial success, recouping its production budget within the first few weeks of release. The financial data for Norbit is often cited in discussions of Eddie Murphy's filmography, alongside other films such as Norbit, which was a notable entry in his comedy portfolio. The film's worldwide gross placed it among the higher-grossing comedy films of its release year. The box office figures for Norbit