Coming to America
In 1988 , a comedy hit the dramaturgy that would forever change the fashion motion-picture fan viewed rom - coms . Coming To Americawas unexpected , combining elements of a romantic comedy with the over - the - top drollery of movies likeBeverly Hills Cop . By this time , Eddie Murphy was do a name for himselfoutside of hisSaturday Night Liveskits . Murphy was about to hit top-notch - stardom as Prince Akeem , the inheritor to the throne in Zamunda .
Related : Nutty Professor : 5 reason Why The Eddie Murphy Version Is Best ( & 5 The Jerry Lewis Original Is Superior )
While Murphy and co - adept Arsenio Hall played multiple roles — and those theatrical role comprised most of the risible ace in the celluloid — the mold was round out by many marvellous role player playing howling function , though some were more sympathetic than others by design .
Darryl Jenks
Darryl became Akeem ’s competition when it came to the affections of Lisa . Darryl and Lisa were dating , but Akeem did n’t care . In his mind , Lisa could do better . But Darryl did his best to show up Akeem every luck he could get . Darryl ’s family had money and Akeem did n’t — at least , that ’s what Akeem require everyone to believe . To Darryl , Akeem was at the bottom of the drum .
Darryl was self - centered , cocky , and spoiled . He did seem to love Lisa , but he could n’t get out of his own way . In the end , his commitment careen after being dumped by Lisa so he took his chances with her sister , Patrice .
Imani Izzi
Not really a central character but maybe an important one , as her brief presence inComing To Americaset the shade for the entire motion picture . Prince Akeem was set to wed Imani but he did n’t know who she was or what she even like .
Before they exchanged vow , Akeem withdraw her into a elbow room where one of thefunniest scene in the movietook position . Akeem necessitate Imani to hop on one wooden leg and barque like a dog just to see if she would show any representation or just blindly do what Akeem told her to do without question or complaint . From there , Akeem roll in the hay he want more than a wife who lived only to do him .
Patrice McDowell
The youngest of the McDowell daughters , Patrice lived in the trace of her older babe and was resentful of that fact . More into the acculturation the untested generation follow , Patrice was look for a come up , as it were . She wanted Akeem , but when tell that Semmi was the true king , her interest shifted .
Related : Two And A Half Men : The Main Characters , Ranked By Likability
Viewers could assure that Patrice was spoiled . She lived a biography much like Akeem did in Africa . Everything was spoon - feast to her which made her persona fall across as a necessitous brat .
Queen Aoleon
King Jaffe Joffer was the swayer of Zamunda , but the Queen was the ruler of the palace . One of the unspoiled moment ofComing To Americawas the scene at the breakfast table on Akeem ’s birthday when the King and Queen go back and forward regarding their marriage .
Without the Queen , there would be no Lisa and Akeem at the end of the motion picture . It was the Queen who tell her son to go after the woman he love and it was the Queen who told Jaffe to " put a drogue in it . " A modest role , but very powerful , and also a bit ahead of its time in terms of show a distaff character who did n’t just blindly bend to her " king " .
Oha
Oha was the King ’s right - hired man gentleman’s gentleman . He looked after the royal sept . Much like the King and Queen , Oha did n’t have a huge part in the film . However , in his short clock time , his comportment was feel with his Song dynasty at Akeem ’s and Imani ’s wedding , " She ’s Your Queen To Be . "
Cool and calm while onscreen , nothing appeared to unnerve Oha . He never smiled and always hold a determined looking on his expression . A small function , but he played a huge part in makingComing To Americaone of the best amatory funniness of the ' 80s .
King Jaffe Joffer
Deep - voiced and protective , King Jaffe Joffer need the best for his family . He allow his Word go to America with the notion that he want to sow his majestic oats with American women . Once he set out the news that Akeem really went look for honey , the King turn a loss it . He almost single - handily make his son great heartache because he was too obstinate to see the braggy picture .
Related : American Pie Characters , Ranked By Likability
Not as much of a primal quality as Akeem or Semmi , but the picture that King Jaffe Joffer were in , were all legendary in their own right .
Lisa McDowell
Lisa was the object of Akeem ’s affection but she was already involve with Darryl when Akeem come to America . Lisa helped her father run their business organization , but was soon beginning to recognize that she never carve out a path of her own . When Darryl project , Lisa feel blindsided .
Of all the characters , Lisa was not big on the comedic side of things . She was a dear interest , but what loses her a few likability points is how hard of a meter she have Akeem for not telling her the truth regarding his luxurious status . He " lied " because he wanted her to fall in love with the man , not the money , and she should n’t have take so long to see that .
Semmi
Semmi played the role of fast sidekick to Prince Akeem to a tee . He was there when he was call for , but being in a novel country and get new things , Semmi catch a bit out of hand . He rest to Patrice and say that he was the male monarch and even dare Akeem on multiple occasions .
Akeem was the serious one , while Semmi bestow more comic relievo to the story . A pop fan hypothesis is that Semmi is really Akeem ’s young pal , which would definitely explain a few thing , such as why Semmi is so bitter about Akeem wanting to survive like a common person rather than a prince .
Cleo McDowell
Cleo is the head of the McDowell household and kin business . Cleo is a go - getter and want nothing but the best for his two daughters . He ’s a hard humankind to get along with , but with Darryl , Cleo was ready to welcome him into the family based on the position of Darryl ’s family . When it was revealed that Lisa was now interested in Akeem , Cleo was n’t too thrilled as he go out Akeem as ugly of his girl ( peculiarly in comparison to Darryl ) .
Cleo may have total across as an self-seeker , but the truth is , he ’s a survivor . He ’s a self - made adult male who made something of himself and just want the good for Lisa . Him being extremely happy when he regain out Akeem was a prince is laborious to find fault him for .
Prince Akeem
Prince Akeem head to America to find his bride , rather , he found obstacles that showed TV audience just how different his bringing up was to American citizens . Akeem went looking in all the unseasonable places but still managed to find the one he deemed suitable . Leaving behind his wealth , Akeem require on the life of a normal New Yorker .
Akeem had a heart of Au but his finding is what coiffure him aside from his friend Semmi . He wanted to distance himself from the regal life so he keep that a enigma . His finish was to fit in , but it was inconceivable to do that when royalty head for the hills through your blood .
Next : Eddie Murphy : 10 Hilarious Things That Can Only Happen In His pic
