About "Coming to America"
Coming to America is a 1988 romantic comedy directed by John Landis. The story and overall concept were created by Eddie Murphy, who also starred. The screenplay was fleshed out by David Sheffield, and Barry W. Blaustein.
The film was released in the U.S. on June 29, 1988. Eddie Murphy plays Akeem Joffer, prince of the fictional African nation of Zamunda. Prince Akeem doesn't wish to take part in an arranged marriage, so he travels to Queens, New York (U.S.A), to find a bride of his own choosing.
What's with the name?
Shortly after Akeem and Semmi come to Queens, Akeem is so overjoyed, he yells, "good morning, my neighbors!" from the apartment balcony. In sterotypical New York fashion, he gets profanities yelled back at him.Cast
Eddie Murphy as:Prince Akeem, the prince of Zamunda
Randy Watson, a soul singer with the fictional band Sexual Chocolate.
Saul, the white Jewish barbershop regular.
Clarence, the owner of the barber shop.
Arsenio Hall as:
Semmi, Akeem's friend and travel companion.
Reverend Brown
Morris in the barber shop.
"Ugly girl," in a nightclub scene.
Shari Headley as Lisa McDowell, Cleo's older daughter and Akeem's love interest.
James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer, Akeem's father and King of Zamunda.
Madge Sinclair as Queen Aoleon, Akeem's mother and the Queen of Zamunda.
John Amos as Cleo McDowell, Akeem's employer and Lisa's father.
Allison Dean as Patrice McDowell, Cleo's younger daughter (Lisa's sister).
Paul Bates as Oha, a royal servant (singer of "She's Your Queen to Be").
Eriq La Salle as Darryl Jenks, heir to the Soul Glow fortune.
Frankie Faison as the landlord.
Vanessa Bell as Imani Izzi, intended wife.
Calvin Lockhart as Colonel Izzi, Imani's father.
Louie Anderson as Maurice, a McDowell's employee.
Samuel L. Jackson as the armed robber at McDowell's.
Vondie Curtis-Hall as a starstruck citizen of Zamunda who approaches Akeem at the basketball game.
Sheila Johnson as a lady-in-waiting.
Jake Steinfeld as the cab driver.
Garcelle Beauvais as a rose bearer.
Cameos:
Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy briefly reprise their roles as the now-homeless Mortimer and Randolph from the movie Trading Places.
Cuba Gooding Jr. plays a patron of the barbershop. It was his first film.