‘Saturday Night Live’ 40th Anniversary: Eddie Murphy Returns, Speaks On Red Carpet About 32 Year Absence

Eddie Murphy returned to “Saturday Night Live” Sunday after 32 years. The 53-year-old comedian was on hand at the NBC red carpet to celebrate the sketch comedy’s 40th anniversary.

Murphy arrived with his girlfriend of three years Paige Butcher. “It’s a lot like going back to your old high school and everything seems really tiny,” he told Al Roker on the red carpet when asked about his return. “So much smaller.”

Eddie Murphy was on “Saturday Night Live” from 1980 to 1984. After starring on the series he went on to land lead roles in “Beverly Hills Cop,” “The Golden Child” and “Coming to America.” Although he hasn’t returned to his TV roots since leaving “SNL,” he told Roker that he wasn’t nervous about hitting the stage again.

“I’m not a nervous kind of guy,” Murphy revealed. “I don’t get nervous.”

The comedian is looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, something that he claims is a “unique feeling.” “Once you’ve done that you never ever stop liking it,” he explained.

The “Saturday Night Live” 40th anniversary show kicks off on NBC at 8 p.m. EST. For live stream information click HERE.