Power star, Omari Hardwick, is speaking out about something he regrets doing to his former Power co-star, Charlie Murphy, even though his actions were not intentional.
As you all know, when comedian/actor, Charlie Murphy, passed away in April 2017, to the surprise of his fans. Little did we know at that time though, it was also a shock to those who knew him personally as well.
Omari was among that long list of those who were unaware that he had a life threatening illness, during the time he filed his last work, which was on Power. On the hit series, Murphy played a correctional officer who had it out for “Ghost” (Omari Hardwick), during “Ghost’s” prison stint.
In a prior interview on Hot 97, Omari revealed why he now regrets how their scenes played out, now that Charlie has passed away.
What Hardwick Confessed About What He Regrets Doing To Murphy On The “Power” Set
During his Hot 97 interview, Omari recalled the time where he remembers getting more respect as an actor. According to him, that was during season 4 of Power and due to the fact that he was stripped of “Ghost’s” business suits ad clean shaven appearance and ‘spent most of that season in orange jumpsuits. Therefore, says Omari, his acting abilities were not hidden behind the ‘look’ of Ghost, and were instead placed into the forefront of the viewers’ minds.
While discussing season 4, Omari also said he regrets fighting Charlie Murphy back in that scene, because he had no idea the beloved Murphy was in his last days. He admitted that had he been informed of that fact, he would have pulled Courtney Kemp (co-executive producer of Power) to the side and politely declined the fight scene with Charlie.
However, the Power star is also aware that Charlie Murphy kept his illness away from most people who knew him and/or worked with him. So no one, including Power’s execs were probably aware of Charlie’s then dire situation. Check out what he said about this below:
Hardwick- “In reality it was season 4, where everyone went, ‘Ohhh…he’s an actor!’…because season 4 is when I had on an orange jumpsuit for most of the season. I didn’t have the trickery of the suits. I didn’t have a clean face, it was scruffy…”
I had -rest in peace- very skinny, great comedic timing brother of Eddie Murphy-Charlie Murphy, beatin’ my a$$, who had I known he was dying of cancer, I would’ve looked at Courtney and gone, ‘I can’t do that’…unless you change the storyline. I can’t fight him BACK.”
When Charlie Passed Away, Omari Recalled Getting The News On Set
Omari was on set when he received the text message about Charlie’s passing:
“I got a text from Nile Rogers- who was doing publicity for us back then- and I KNEW it..in my spirit, I knew it. …And when I got the text, I knew that was somebody calling about Charlie.”
He continued:
“I did not know that he had cancer, but I knew that he was sick. By the time we had finished the season, I was like, ‘He’s sick.'”
Fortunately for Omari Hardwick, he doesn’t have to feel guilty about the fight scene with Charlie Murphy. Given Charlie’s strong, fighter spirit up until the end of his life, he probably would not have wanted that Power fight scene to go down any other way.
Charlie Murphy was a prideful man, who never wanted anyone to treat him any differently than the next man. May he continue to rest in power.
