Eddie Murphy Stuns with Bill Cosby Joke at Mark Twain Prize Event

Well that was quick! Days after explaining why he refused to perform the Bill Cosby skit Norm MacDonald had prepared for the SNL 40 extravaganza – esteemed comedian and actor Eddie Murphy decided to take a stab at it anyway. And continuing his track record of excellence – he absolutely nailed it.

Eddie Murphy

In front of notable friends like Coming to America co-star, Arsenio Hall, a batch of likeminded talent including, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, George Lopez, Kathy Griffin and Tracy Morgan who just the day before had enjoyed his wondrous return to the stage of Saturday Night Live, Murphy was given the highest honor any comedian could ask for – the Mark Twain Prize.

The event took place on Sunday at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and it was the perfect ingredient of praise, adulation and loads of laughter as those who cite Murphy as the gregarious innovator who prompted their undying allegiance – took to the stage to vocalize exactly why.

Morgan whose appearance continues to serve as a reminder of his near-death experience paid homage to his “comedic hero” and admitted that Murphy was the first person to reach out and crack him up right after the tragic accident that took the life of his friend and frequent collaborator James McNair.

SNL alum Kevin Nealon attributed SNL’s resurrection back in the 80’s when the show was losing steam to Murphy’s stylized genius. “Some people are just blessed with talent, and with Eddie, it was just luck”. Nealon went on to jokingly express his hope that the Beverly Hills Cop star could use his superpowers to rescue the Kennedy Center from being converted to the Trump Center. “I can see the slot machines in the lobby”.

The Daily Show’s newly minted star, Trevor Noah also got in on all the fun and confessed that watching Coming to America was his introduction to the genre of comedy.

Murphy for his part seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the festivities and stated that receiving the prize was a “tremendous honor” but also humorously pointed that what he was being presented with was “actually an award, but they call it a prize, usually when there’s a prize, there’s money”.

After the insightful warm up, Murphy hilariously went where he had once vowed not to go – enter Bill Cosby. The comedian joked about the fact that the embattled comedian really messed things up if “they want you to give your trophy back”.

Murphy followed this up with a genius impersonation of Cosby questioning the notion of returning his trophy.

The rest of the performance also wittingly referenced Hannibal Buress – the man responsible for initiating Cosby’s imminent and rapid downfall.

Past recipients of the Mark Twain Prize include, Cosby who garnered his in 2009, others include, Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Tina Fey, Ellen DeGeneres, Will Ferrell, and Jay Leno.

The honor is typically bestowed on those who have made an impactful dent in society as evidenced through the works of Samuel Clemens and Mark Twain.

Murphy’s induction is more than well deserved after enjoying profound fame and success as one of the most viable and beloved box-office stars of his generation.

His highest grossing films include 48 Hours, Trading Places, Dr. Dolittle and cult-classic, Coming to America.

You can catch the event when it debuts Nov. 23 on PBS>