American comedian and actor Charlie Murphy dies in his sleep

Actor Charlie Murphy makes an appearance inside the Sony Style Plaza the night of the release of the Playstation 3 console in New York City November 16, 2006. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Comedian and actor Charlie Murphy died in his sleep at a New York hospital on Wednesday at age 57 after suffering from leukemia, according to entertainment media reports.

Murphy, whose younger brother is "Coming to America" and "The Nutty Professor" star Eddie Murphy, was a cast member and sketch writer on Comedy Central's "Chappelle's Show."