Murphy Dunne

Murphy Dunne (born 1942) is an American actor and musician. He is known for his role as the keyboardist/pianist for the Blues Brothers in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. He reprised his role in the sequel, Blues Brothers 2000. Dunne was given the role after the original choice, Paul Shaffer, could not accept the part due to contractual obligations with "Saturday Night Live". Dunne performed live with the band on their 1980 album, Made in America.

Dunne played himself in both of the two Blues Brothers films, with a fictional storyline: "Murph" Dunne was an original member of the Blues Brothers until "Joliet" Jake went to prison in the 1970's. He then started his own band called "Murph and the MagicTones" along with four other ex-Blues Brothers Band members. While performing a regular set at the Armada Room in a Chicago area Holiday Inn, Jake and Elwood Blues again approached the band to reform the Blues Brothers band. After a brief tour, Murph was sent to prison with the rest of the Blues Brothers Band. In real life, Dunne was the son of Cook County Board President George Dunne, whose connections helped get some of the Chicago clearances for movie shoot sites.

In addition to his work with the Blues Brothers, he has acted in many television shows like Night Court and has done voice acting. He can be heard in Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex and in the game, Star Trek: Klingon Academy. Dunne was also a member of the early 70s comedy ensemble The Conception Corporation.