Saturday Night Live first hit the airwaves on October 11, 1975. It has since become one of the most famous shows in the world. The series has produced a long list of comedic legends. However, none of them compare to the iconic comedian, Eddie Murphy. Indeed, Murphy is one of the most influential figures in the show's history.

He joined the show in 1980, but his impact continues to this day. SNL went on to become an American institution, and Murphy became one of the most famous stars in the world. Over the years, SNL had its peaks and low points. Of course, Murphy's career went through a similar pattern.

Eddie Murphy and SNL went their separate ways, but there will always be a link between them. There are a few facts fans might not know about Murphy's time on SNL. These facts will change the way fans view the show.

Murphy isn't just a footnote in the show's history. In the 80s, Murphy and SNL were synonymous. However, a bitter feud resulted in Murphy staying away from the show for 35 years. It's time to take a closer look at Murphy and SNL. Here are 20 Revealing Facts About Eddie Murphy's Time On Saturday Night Live. 

20 Saved Saturday Night Live From Cancellation

Saturday Night Live was an instant hit when it took to the air in the mid-70s. However, series creator, Lorne Michaels, left in 1980, and so did a majority of the writers and cast. The series then struggled for several years and was on the verge of cancellation.

However, Eddie Murphy joined the cast in 1980 and soon became a breakout star. Ratings skyrocketed as Murphy became the focal point of the show. Indeed, he's one of the biggest stars in the show's history. Murphy gets credit for saving the show from an inevitable end. He's one of the most crucial cast members in SNL's history.

19 He Called The Talent Coordinator Every Day Until He Got An Audition

In the early 80s, Saturday Night Live was in a rebuilding process. The show had to find a whole new cast for season six. However, Eddie Murphy wasn't on the list of potential candidates. He didn't let that stand in his way.

Murphy called the talent coordinator, Neil Levy, every day until he got an audition. At first, Levy resisted, but Murphy explained that he was in desperate need of the job so he could support his 18 brothers and sisters. He had a great audition, and they hired him...with a few conditions.

18 Did Not Appear In The First Episode Of Season Six

Eddie Murphy pushed hard to land a gig on Saturday Night Live, but show execs didn't know what they had yet. Season six featured a whole new cast, but Murphy wasn't one of the stars. The producers gave him a chance after his impressive audition. However, the writers had nothing for him.

Murphy didn't even appear in the first episode of season six. Season six also started with the new cast introducing themselves, but didn't include Murphy. Murphy still had to fight to get screen time.

17 SNL Hired Eddie Murphy At The Same Time As Charles Rocket Who Was Expected To Be The Breakout Star

Eddie Murphy was part of a whole new Saturday Night Live cast. Murphy had more of a supporting role at first. The network felt that comedian Charles Rocket would be the breakout star of the new cast. NBC promoted him as a cross between Chevy Chase and Bill Murray. Indeed, they built the show around him and featured him in more sketches than anyone else.

However, Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo were the breakout stars and stole the show every time. Rocket had a great deal of animosity toward Murphy because he felt Murphy upstaged him.

16 His First Appearance On SNL Was As A Non-Speaking Extra

As noted, Saturday Night Live didn't see the potential in Eddie Murphy at first. He didn't appear in the first episode of the new season, and his next appearance was a disappointment as well.

His first appearance on the show was actually as a non-speaking extra in the background. SNL instead focused on Charles Rocket and a few of the others. Of course, Murphy felt more motivated due to his lack of involvement in the show.

15 Caught Everyone’s Attention With His First Appearance On Weekend Update

Eddie Murphy would not be denied. He would not settle for being an extra. Murphy knew he just needed once chance to show the world his talent. Murphy's first speaking role was during Weekend Update. He portrayed student basketball player, Raheem Adbul Muhammed.

His short performance was the highlight of the episode. Murphy had everyone talking the next day about the sketch. It would be the start of his success on the show.

14 Youngest Cast Member At The Time

The original Saturday Night Live cast included veteran comedians that had spent years honing their craft. However, the new cast didn't have that same level of experience. Eddie Murphy was only 19 when he landed the gig on SNL. At the time, that made him the youngest person to appear on the show. Of course, Anthony Michael Hall broke the record when he was hired at age 17.

Initially, Saturday Night Live didn't consider Eddie Murphy a featured cast member. He had a supporting role and didn't have the star status. It might sound strange today, but the producers didn't realize Murphy's true talent and potential. However, there was no denying Murphy's talent.

Murphy impressed viewers and the writers with his skills. He soon became a featured cast member...and then one of the only cast members.

12 Eddie Murphy And Joe Piscopo Were The Only Cast Members Not Fired At The End Of Season 6

Season six of Saturday Night Live was considered one of the worst seasons in the show's history. As a result, Dick Ebersol took over and made some significant changes. He fired the entire cast, except for Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo.

Murphy proved that he was underrated and the real star of the show. Ebersol saw this as well, so he kept Murphy and Piscopo. He soon brought in a whole new cast for season seven, but Murphy was still the star.

11 Mocked His Own Movie Best Defense On SNL

Eddie Murphy quickly became the star of Saturday Night Live. His career took off, and he was suddenly in significant demand. Murphy's movie career has had its fair share of ups and downs. He's starred in several classics, but also a few box office bombs.

One of the first bombs was Best Defense in 1984. However, Murphy did something that most viewers didn't expect. During an episode of SNL, Murphy joined in by making fun of the movie and criticizing it. Of course, most movie stars avoid insulting their films.

Related: 7 Movies Eddie Murphy Ruined (+ 8 He Saved)

10 He First Hosted SNL While Still A Cast Member

In 1982, Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy starred in the blockbuster film, 48 Hours. Murphy's career went to a whole new level. He was still a Saturday Night Live cast member, but his movie career was taking off.

That year, Nolte was going to host SNL and reunite with Murphy. However, Nolte canceled at the last minute. Dick Ebersol then asked Murphy to take over as host for that week. Murphy became the only person in history to host SNL while still a cast member.

9 Joe Piscopo Felt Slighted When Murphy Hosted

At that time, Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo became the two biggest stars of Saturday Night Live. At one point, they were neck and neck in terms of popularity. However, Murphy's popularity exploded and he became a household name. Piscopo felt slighted when Dick Ebersol asked Murphy to host SNL while still a cast member.

Animosity grew between Murphy and Piscopo. Later, Piscopo noted he felt Ebersol was playing Murphy and Piscopo against each other to create tension.

8 Murphy Appeared In A Majority Of The Sketches

As mentioned, there was a point when Eddie Murphy rarely appeared in any sketches. However, within a few years, he was featured in just about every sketch. Indeed, the show became the Eddie Murphy show in a lot of ways.

As his career took off, Dick Ebersol and the producers featured Murphy even more. Of course, this caused a bit of friction between Murphy and other cast members, such as Joe Piscopo.

7 The Breakout Star

Without a doubt, Eddie Murphy became the breakout star of Saturday Night Live. As noted, he saved the show from near-cancellation and helped bring it back to prominence.

Before Murphy's success, critics started calling the show 'Saturday Night Death' and were sure it would be over soon. However, Murphy's performances changed all of that. He portrayed several iconic characters, such as Buckwheat, Gumby, and Mister Robinson. Murphy also performed impressions of Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, to rave reviews.

6 Completed Filming Of Several Movies While Still Working On SNL

By 1984, Eddie Murphy's movie career was taking off, and he remained a fixture on Saturday Night Live. At the same time, he was working on his stand up comedy career and specials. Murphy had a hectic schedule as he completed filming on Trading Places and 48 Hours while still working on the show.

During this time period, he completed early work on his breakthrough role as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop. Murphy somehow managed to balance his heavy workload at the time.

5 He Asked The Writers To Kill Off His Buckwheat Character

In 1981, Eddie Murphy debuted one of his most famous characters, Buckwheat. Indeed, Murphy couldn't go anywhere without people wanting to hear Buckwheat. By 1983, Murphy grew to hate one of his most memorable characters. He went to Dick Ebersol and stated, "I want to kill Buckwheat. I can't stand it anymore."

Ebersol agreed to kill Buckwheat. During an episode of SNL, Buckwheat was assassinated outside of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. They even covered his funeral the following week.

4 He Hated SNL By His Final Season And Couldn’t Wait To Leave

In 1984, Eddie Murphy finally left Saturday Night Live. He played a crucial role in the show staying on the air. However, toward the end of his time on SNL, Murphy began to hate the show. He even admits that he couldn't wait to leave the show and focus on his movie career. He said, "I don't like the show. I don't think it's funny. I hate it." Indeed, all of Murphy's sketches that aired in 1984 completed filming in 1983.

3 He Was Upset With SNL Because Of A Joke David Spade Made In The 90s

After leaving Saturday Night Live in 1984, Eddie Murphy refused to return. Indeed, a feud even developed between Murphy and SNL. In the 90s, comedian David Spade made a joke about Murphy's failing career during Weekend Update. Murphy was furious about the joke and held a grudge against SNL and Spade.

It wasn't until a few years ago that Spade and Murphy made up. However, Murphy still refused to appear on the show despite putting the feud with Spade behind him.

Related: 20 Sketchy Things Everyone Chooses To Ignore About Eddie Murphy

2 Didn’t Appear On SNL For 35 Years Because Of Constant Jokes At His Expense

As noted, Eddie Murphy refused to return to Saturday Night Live for several decades. Of course, he didn't appreciate the joke David Spade made at his expense. However, that wasn't the only problem.

SNL continued to take jabs at Murphy over the years. The constant jokes at his expense only made him angrier. He often buried the show in interviews. A few years ago, the relationship began to improve, and he made a very brief appearance during the anniversary show.

Related: Eddie Murphy Returns To Host SNL And All Of His 10 Kids Will Be There To Cheer Him On

1 Returned To SNL In December 2019 For The First Time Since 1984

In December 2019, Eddie Murphy finally returned to Saturday Night Live for the first time since 1984. Of course, he did make a brief appearance on the anniversary show in 2014. However, this was his first time returning as host. He also brought back his classic characters, such as Mister Robinson, Gumby, and Buckwheat.

The episode was a huge hit and delivered the show's highest ratings in two years. Hopefully, Murphy will be open to returning as host once again.

Next: 20 Little Known Facts About Mel's Relationship With Eddie Murphy