FILMFACTS

TRIVIA

Coming to America Trivia

1988

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This summer Prince Akeem discovers America

Trivia

Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy

Totally Trivia

Film facts for the 1988 Comedy movie starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, John Amos, James Earl Jones

Shari Headley, Samuel L. Jackson, Madge Sinclair, Eriq La Salle, Paul Bates, Frankie Faison, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Louie Anderson, Allison Dean, Sheila Johnson, Jake Steinfeld, Calvin Lockhart, Feather, Stephanie Simon, Garcelle Beauvais Update Cast

We believe the following trivia is all legit. If it's bogus or you have additional info, please update us.

Thanks to Jesse Cardenas

Update

I'm sure all of you know that Akeem's father was played by James Earl Jones, who did the voice of Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" trilogy. Madge Sinclair played the Queen of Zamunda. Did you know that they also played King and Queen as Mufasa and Sarabi in Disney's THE LION KING! Two King/Queen roles in an African setting :)

Thanks to Nate Stone

Update

Akeem's mother (the Queen), actress Madge Sinclair also appeared in the TV mini-series "Roots". She played Kunta's (Toby's) wife (I think her character's name was "

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Update

Shari Headley (Lisa McDowell) was married for two years to Christopher "Play" Martin one of the members of the successful 80's rap duo Kid 'N Play.

Thanks to Sean

Update

Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, "Fancy" from the Jamie Foxx Show, is one of the rose bearers.

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Update

In a recent interview, Eddie Murphy stated that some critics found no comedic significance in the barbershop scenes, not realizing that three out of the four characters were played by Murphy and Arsenio Hall.

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Update

Cuba Gooding, Jr. makes a very early career appearance in the first barber shop scene getting his hair cut.

Thanks to Tina Harris

Update

Eddie's brother is also is the movie. The scene where Curits Vonde-Hall is so happy to see Eddie. The man who looks quite puzzled is Eddie's brother.

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Update

Future Jedi Samuel L. Jackson brilliantly plays the armed robber who holds up McDowells Restaurant!! "Don't stall me, fat boy!" Jackson is a long time friend of Eddie Murphy and was making one of his first big screen appearances.

Thanks to Mike

Update

The Cab Driver who gives Eddie and Arsenio the bird before taking them to Queens is Jake of "Body by Jake" exercise video fame.

Thanks to Lisa Atley

Update

Louie Anderson played one of the employees at McDowells Restaurant. He was in the robbery scene and later in movie he tells Akeem and Semi how he plans to move up to manager in 2 years.

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Update

In Lisa's office, behind the door, there is a picture of director Spike Lee and his sister Joie Lee. Lee is an acclaimed director of influential African-American 80's films such as "Do the Right Thing" and "School Daze"

Thanks to Linda Crawford

Update

How was "God" referred to by Arsenio Hall when he played the preacher at the Black Awareness Day Pagent?

"Hugh Hefner on High"

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Update

The bum tenant that falls down the steps in Akeem and Semi's apartment complex is actually Eddie Murphy's uncle, Ray Murphy.

Thanks to Mark Corning

Update

John Amos (Cleo McDowell) played the father on the African-American 70's sitcom "Good Times". He later co-starred as a major in "Die Hard 2: Die Harder" with Bruce Willis and as tough, but honest, head of the guard in Stallone's "Lock-Up".

Thanks to CR

Update

Shari Headley was in the Blackstreet video "Before I Let You Go (Can I Get A Kiss Goodnight)"

Thanks to Matthew J Bevis

Update

One of the topless 'bathers' (the one who emerges from the water in front of Murphy to announce that "the royal p***s is clean", is Victoria Dillard, who played Janelle Cooper on TV's "Spin City". She was on the show from 1996-2000.

Thanks to Kimberly Whitehead

Update

Victoria Dillard, the royal bather, was also in "Deep Cover" with Laurence Fishburne.

Update

In the scene where Akeem gives the bag of money to the two homeless men, those guys are, of course, Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy, the ex-filthy rich brothers from "Trading Places", also starring Eddie Murphy. That’s why one of the brothers says: "Mortimer we're back".

Thanks to Linda Crawford

Update

What was the address of "McDowell's" restaurant?

-8507 Queens Blvd.

Thanks to Amy

Update

Actress Shari Headley (Lisa McDowell) guest-stared on ABC-TV's daytime drama, "All My Children" as police detective, Mimi Frye.

Thanks to Linda Crawford

Update

What was the time on the clock in the taxi cab scene when the boys are on way their way form the airport?

-9:17

Thanks to Robin

Update

Paula Abdul choreographed the wedding dance scene when Akeem was going to marry Vanessa Bell Calloway's character.

Thanks to Dr. Kimberly Ellis

Update

In the railroad scene when Akeem searches for Lisa, a large "Fences" poster from August Wilson's Pulitzer-Prize winning broadway play, can be seen on the wall in the background. Eddie Murphy had a strong desire to play the role of the son in this father/son drama, but he's much too old for the part now.

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Update

Rapper Busta Rhymes used Coming to America as a premise to his "Put your Hands Where my Eyes Can See" Video.

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Update

Arsenio Hall's brother, Vondie-Curtis Hall, is the overzealous Zamunda native that they meet at the basketball game. V.C. rose to fame in the mid-90's on the CBS drama "Chicago Hope". This is probably the only movie to feature a star of both "Chicago Hope"(Hall) and its cross-channel rival "ER"(Eriq La Salle).

Thanks to Jon Christensen

Update

Since Coming to America, Arsenio Hall has only been in one other well known movie, "Harlem Nights" also with Eddie Murphy...

Thanks to Kevin Allustiarti

Update

One of the girls they talk to in the bar, the one who says something, then says "him too" referring to Arsenio Hall's character, actually is Arsenio Hall. A girl hitting on her male counterpart!

Rewind Archive

Update

There is a well judged crossover cameo by Mortimer and Randolph Duke from another Murphy hit, "Trading Places."

Thanks to Beena1

Update

Director John Landis is seen to the right of Arsenio Hall (Reverend Brown) and Shari Headley, listening to Brown's non-stop preaching during the McDowell party.

Thanks to Beena1

Update

When Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) goes to sit with the King and Queen at the breakfast table, the King is surprised to find out that Akeem had grown a mustache. In Beverly Hills Cop (1984), when Axel (also played by Murphy) visits Jenny Summers at the art gallery where she works, she is just as surprised to find out that he grew a mustache.

Thanks to Brandi Graves

Update

The Lady that was supposed to marry Eddie Murphy was Vanessa Bell Calloway; She was the mother in Biker Boyz, and was a host on a Talk show on BET called "Oh Drama", and many other things. She is also staring on the BET Reality series Baldwin Hills!

Thanks to Beena1

Update

This film marks the first time Eddie Murphy played multiple characters the same film. Something which has gone on to be a trademark of his.

Thanks to Lisa Atley

Update

One of our favorite E.R. doctors (Dr. Peter Benton) plays Lisa's boyfriend, Eriq La Salle.

Thanks to C.T. Warren

Update

Eriq La Salle (Darryl Jenks) played Dr. Peter Benson on "ER" for eight seasons, and has directed episodes of "Special Victims Unit" and multiple "CSI"s. Since 2016, he has been an executive producer of "Chicago P.D.".

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Bogus Trivia

There's often fake stuff floating round, y'know? -Like the 'ghost boy' that can allegedly be seen in "Three Men And A Baby".

The following trivia for "Coming to America" is apparently bogus. If you disagree or have additional info, please update us.

The big dance scene in the Zamunda palace, before Eddie Murphy meets his future bride is actually the same dance that was in the Thriller video, sped up.

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