The 'Norbit' star will make his first appearance since leaving the NBC variety series 30 years ago in its anniversary special which will air on February 15.
- January 30, 2015
AceShowbiz -
More than 30 years after he left "Saturday Night Live", Eddie Murphy is set to come back to the show that helped him gain prominence. The 53-year-old funnyman announced during an interview with TV One's "News One Now" that he would return for the show's 40th anniversary special which is set to air February 15 on NBC.
"It's just timing. It just never worked out where the timing was right for me to do it," he told host Roland S. Martin via telephone when asked why he never appeared on the sketch series in three decades. "Actually, they're having a 40th anniversary thing in two weeks, I'm going to that. And that will be the first time that I've been back since I left."
Murphy joined "SNL" in 1980 and left after four seasons in 1984. During his time on the show, he was famous for his portrayals of Mister Rogers, Gumby and "Little Rascals" character Buckwheat. He's also responsible for some of the show's catchphrases, including "I'm Gumby, dammit!"
"SNL" has not announced the official line-up of the 40th anniversary special, but other former cast members like Bill Murray, Billy Crystal, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig and Seth Meyers are expected to appear.
