Eddie Murphy to return to Saturday Night Live as Season 45 host

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

When Saturday Night Live returns for its 45th season, NBC's time-honored comedic variety show will continue its tradition of having some of Hollywood's most legendary players host the anything-can-happen antics. Season 45 will start with a bang when it airs live coast-to-cost with ZOMBIELAND 2: DOUBLE-TAP actor Woody Harrelson hosting the first episode with musical guest Billie Eilish. Also set to make his SNL return for the first time since his somewhat uncomfortable appearance for a tribute at the SNL 40th Anniversary special in 2015 is Eddie Murphy. THE DOLEMITE IS MY NAME star will host on December 21 with that evening's musical guest having yet to be confirmed. The anticipated appearance will mark Murphy's first time hosting the show since 1984.

Other celebrities scheduled to host episodes of SNL's forty fifth season are Phobe Waller-Bridge on October 5, with musical guest Taylor Swift. HELLBOY and BLACK WIDOW actor David Harbour will host with Camila Cabello serving as musical guest on October 12, while Kristen Stewart will host for her second time on November 12. The musical guest for Stewart's hosting gig has yet to be determined at this time.

Murphy was an esteemed member of the SNL cast from 1980 to 1984. During his time on the late night program, Murphy delivered impressions for celebrities such as Bill Cosby, Bruce Lee, James Brown, Jesse Jackson, Jerry Lewis, Mr. T, Sammy Davis Jr., and Stevie Wonder, just to name a few. He also portrayed a number of hilarious characters, including Buckwheat, Gumby, Mr. Robinson, Velvet Jones, Dion, and many more.

Next up for Murphy is Netflix's upcoming biopic DOLEMITE IS MY NAME. Set to have its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, the feature from HUSTLE & FLOW director Craig Brewer centers on the life and times of Rudy Ray Moore, the comedian famous for his exceptionally adult-themed stand up comedy routine. When Moore was a standout player in the comedy circuit, chuckleheads often delighted in the way Moore injected raps and rhythm into his X-rated material. In time, Moore became known to many as the Godfather of Rap. Those who were hip to his brand of off-color comedy also delighted in his original character, Dolemite, an urban hustler that Moore eventually brought to the big screen in 1975.

Written by Scott Alexander (THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT, ED WOOD) and Larry Karaszewski (BIG EYES, GOOSEBUMPS), the biopic stars Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Wesley Snipes, Craig Robinson, Mike Epps, Titus Burgess, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Keegan-Michael Key, Aleksandar Filimonovic, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Ron Cephas Jones, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Luenell.

Be sure to tune in for Murphy's SNL return on Saturday, October 21, at 11 pm on NBC.