Award-winning comedian, actor, writer, producer and author George Lopez, along with producer Salvador Vasquez, are teaming up with Truly Original (a Banijay Americas company) to develop two unscripted projects. Announced by Lopez, Vasquez and Truly Original co-CEOs Steven Weinstock and Glenda Hersh, this collaboration will focus on unique programming spanning a documentary, and a competitive and comedy-driven reality series.
Teed up as the first project is feature documentary Darkness: The Charlie Murphy Story, which chronicles for the first time the life and career of writer and comedian Charlie Murphy, who passed away from leukemia in 2017 at the age of 57. The older brother of superstar Eddie Murphy, Charlie was best known for his work as both a cast member and writer on Chappelle’s Show and for BET’s mockumentary series Comedy Get Down, which gave audiences a hilarious, behind-the-scenes look at life on the road as Murphy traveled with fellow comedian George Lopez on their 2017 stand-up comedy tour. The documentary is already in production and is being produced by Truly Original, Richard Murphy (Charlie Murphy’s cousin and former manager), George Lopez and Salvador Vasquez.
Said Lopez, “Charlie Murphy was so much fun to be around, I’ve never laughed so hard, and I want everyone to see what I saw !”
“There are a ton of reasons why we wanted to team up with George on these unscripted projects, and they all come down to this: there’s nothing he can’t do,” said Weinstock and Hersh in a joint statement. “Beyond his renowned comedy chops, George is a seasoned producer whose star power and longevity offer a vantage point that’s rare in our business. We’re delighted to be working together and excited about the projects we’re developing.”
Added Truly Original EVP and Head of Development Chachi Senior, “It all really began with Charlie and this documentary passion project that brought us together with Rich, Sal and George. Collectively, our entire team sees a big future for George in unscripted and we’re thrilled to be working together.”
In addition to his ongoing work in standup, Lopez currently stars alongside his daughter, Mayan Lopez, in NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez, now airing its third season. He recently starred in Blue Beetle for Warner Bros., which became the first Latino-American superhero film based on a DC Comics character.
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