Few stars in entertainment were as bright as Eddie Murphy during the 1980s. It also meant the Saturday Night Live star did things his own way, including avoiding SNL afterparties. That is, until one music superstar convinced Murphy to go.
Saturday Night Live afterparties are legendary and a key aspect of the show's 50-year history. Countless stories have been shared (or alluded to) over the years as cast members gave a behind-the-scenes look at how SNL blows off steam after a show.
One would think Eddie Murphy stood at the center of SNL's parties during the '80s. But that wasn't the case, as Murphy explained during a visit to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
"I was 19, and it's 1980, '81," Murphy said. "So I was the only Black person up there, and I was the only teenager up there. So I was like, 'I don't want to party with them!" Instead, Murphy went to a NYC club called Bentley's rather than follow the cast and crew.
The music superstar who convinced Eddie Murphy to go to an SNL party
Eddie Murphy changed his plans once because of an invitation from music legend Johnny Cash. The musician hosted during season 7, on April 17, 1982. It was the same year Murphy's popularity soared to new heights.
Murphy recalled Cash asking him if he planned on attending the SNL afterparty. "I said, 'I don't know,'" Murphy shared. "He says, 'Because [June Carter] and I sure do love you.' So I went and I hung out with Johnny Cash."
It took a while for Murphy to return to Saturday Night Live after he left the show in 1984, party due to his feud with David Spade. He finally returned to Studio 8H for a brief appearance in the 40th anniversary and then hosted in December 2019.
Murphy showcased why he's one of SNL's all-time greats during his performance at the 50th anniversary. It's hard to imagine the comedy legend skipped that afterparty.