Comic legend Eddie Murphy will host NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, 35 years after leaving the show that launched him into superstardom.
Murphy was an “SNL” cast member between 1980 and 1984, and the last time he hosted the show was in December 1984.
Upon leaving “SNL,” he went on to star in hit movies such as “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Coming to America,” for which a sequel is currently being made.
Murphy also won critical acclaim this year for the Netflix original film “Dolemite Is My Name,” in which he plays comedian and filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore, creator of the Dolemite character from the popular series of 1970s blaxploitation films.
In announcing Murphy’s return, the network also unveiled its lineup of hosts and musical guests for “SNL’s” upcoming 45th season.