It's official - after more 30 years away from the "Saturday Night Live" stage, comedian Eddie Murphy is returning to the platform that helped launch his career.
During an interview with TV One's "News One Now" the 53-year-old funnyman announced that he would return for the show's 40th anniversary special. Murphy joined the show when he was 19 and remained a cast member from 1980-1984 before going off to pursue a career in film.
So what kept the comedian away from the late-night comedy show?
"It just never worked out where the timing was right for me to do it," Murphy explained to NewsOne. "They're having a 40th anniversary...I'm going to that. And that will be the first time I've been back since I left."
During his time on the show, Murphy was famous for his portrayals of Mister Robinson, Gumby and "Little Rascals" character Buckwheat. The actor was also known for his inventing several of the show's catchphrases, including "I'm Gumby, dammit!"
In April, Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, announced the network's plans to celebrate "SNL's" 40th anniversary with a three-hour televised event.
"'Saturday Night Live' is an institution unlike anything else in television history," Greenblatt said in a statement in 2014. "The many brilliant 'Not Ready for Primetime Players' over the years is a who's who of film and television comedy for the last two generations. The roster includes everyone from the iconic first cast in 1975 to household names ranging from Murphy, Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler to Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers -to name only a few.
"This brand, which is still one of the highest-rated comedies on television, was the brainchild of Lorne Michaels, who still presides over the whole enterprise today. This special is just one of the many ways we plan to celebrate SNL's historic 40th season next year."
The "Saturday Night Live" 40th anniversary special will air Sunday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. with a red carpet special starting at 7 p.m. on NBC.
