Eddie Murphy's former manager, who helped launch the comic superstar's career, has died.

Robert Wachs passed away in his sleep at his New York City home on Monday night (02Dec13) at the age of 73.

Wachs co-owned the Big Apple's Comic Strip Live venue, where Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler and Chris Rock all started out performing stand-up.

He went on to manage Murphy's hugely successful early career, negotiating him a pay rise during his stint on sketch show Saturday Night Live in the 1980s.

Wachs also acted as producer on several of Murphy's movies, including Beverly Hills Cop Ii, Coming to America and The Golden Child.