Eddie Murphy’s Early Years on Saturday Night Live and His Lasting Impact

Eddie Murphy joined Saturday Night Live at just 19 years old, during a period when the show was struggling after the departure of its original cast and creator, Lorne Michaels, in 1980. His arrival revitalized the show, and he quickly became its breakout star. Murphy’s charisma and unforgettable characters kept audiences engaged, making him the first cast member whose popularity the show largely centered around. In 1982, he even hosted the show while still a regular cast member due to a co-star’s absence. During his tenure from 1980 to 1984, Murphy created some of SNL’s most iconic recurring characters before leaving to pursue a highly successful film career with hits like Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America. Despite a long absence from the show due to a joke made by David Spade in the 1990s, Murphy eventually returned for the 40th Anniversary Special in 2015 and officially hosted again in December 2019, earning his first Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor. His early contributions to SNL remain widely recognized for shaping the show’s legacy and influencing generations of comedians.