Overview
- Blaustein died Tuesday at his Los Angeles home, Chapman University confirmed, with outlets differing on whether he was 71 or 72.
- He teamed with David Sheffield at Saturday Night Live to craft Eddie Murphy’s signature sketches, including Buckwheat, Gumby, Mr. Robinson, James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub and Velvet Jones.
- He co-wrote major Murphy films such as Coming to America, Boomerang, The Nutty Professor, Nutty Professor II and the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America.
- He wrote and directed the 1999 documentary Beyond the Mat, which became an Academy Award finalist and drew wide attention for its inside look at pro wrestling.
- He taught screenwriting at Chapman University since 2012, and a campus memorial is planned, with survivors including his wife Debra, his children Corey and Kasey, and his granddaughter Daisy.