He has received Golden Globe Award nominations for best actor in a comedy or musical for his performances in "Beverly Hills Cop", "Beverly Hills Cop II", "Beverly Hills Cop III", "Trading Places", and "The Nutty Professor". In 2007, he won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of soul singer James "Thunder" Early in "Dreamgirls", and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the same role.