FLASHBACK: A 21-Year-Old Eddie Murphy Talks 'SNL'

Eddie Murphy is about to grace the Saturday Night Live stage for the first time in over 30 years. We’re looking back at what the then 21-year-old comedian had to say about the iconic show.

“I write, pretty much, all of my stuff on Saturday Night Live,” Murphy told ET in 1982. “I don't know where it comes from. It's not like I sit down and think for a while and then something pops in. I'll be walking down the street and something, this will be funny and I do it.”

Eddie was cast in the 1980 season, the first without SNL mastermind Lorne Michaels, and not too soon after he was a major reason for people to tune in.

WATCH: See Your Favorite 'SNL' Stars in the Ultimate Flashback

Characters like Velvet Jones, Gumby, and all of his celebrity impersonations are unforgettable from a show that has created so many classic moments.

“When I got on a show I found out that the public likes impressions a little bit so I started making up characters and doing impressions,” said Murphy. “Instead of just doing a regular impression, I would take somebody and I'd put them in a ridiculous situation, like Buckwheat.”

A television institution like Saturday Night Live has produced some major stars throughout their history but Murphy is arguably the biggest to come out of studio 8-H. We are beyond excited to see him make his long overdue return for the 40th Anniversary Special this Sunday.

What’s your favorite Eddie Murphy SNL skit/character? Let us know on Twitter using #ETnow.