Eddie Murphy Opens Up on David Spade SNL Joke That Hurt Him

Eddie Murphy, reflecting on his experiences with Saturday Night Live, has revealed that a joke made by David Spade during a 1995 episode of SNL left him deeply hurt and led him to distance himself from the show for years. The impact of the David Spade SNL joke is documented in his new Netflix feature, Being Eddie, where Murphy explains how this incident shaped his relationship with the famous late-night program.

Revisiting the Night SNL Mocked Murphy’s Career

In Being Eddie, Murphy recounts the night in December 1995 when he became the subject of a biting joke by cast member David Spade during the “Spade in America” segment. At the time, Murphy’s career had hit a rough patch, and Spade mocked his film Vampire in Brooklyn, a box office disappointment, in front of a national audience.

After showing a photo of Murphy on screen, Spade remarked,

“Look, children, it’s a falling star. Make a wish.”

– David Spade, SNL cast member. Murphy, an established star with a long history at SNL since 1980, found the joke especially painful coming from the institution that had helped launch his career.

The Emotional Fallout and Public Reaction

Murphy describes the effect the David Spade SNL joke had on him, saying,

“It’s like your alma mater taking a shot at you,”

– Eddie Murphy, comedian and actor. The immediate reaction in the studio was negative, as the audience reportedly disapproved of the comment. He continued,

“The audience there said ‘boo,’ and hissed him for saying it,”

– Eddie Murphy, comedian and actor.

Unpacking his feelings, Murphy says,

“I wasn’t like, f‑‑‑ David Spade. I was like, oh, f‑‑‑ SNL. F‑‑‑ y’all. How y’all gonna do this s‑‑‑? That’s what y’all think of me? Oh, you dirty motherf‑‑‑–.”

– Eddie Murphy, comedian and actor, and further added,

“And that’s why I didn’t go back for years.”

– Eddie Murphy, comedian and actor. He explained that the producers had reviewed and allowed the joke’s inclusion, compounding his disappointment in the show he once called home. Murphy summed up his emotional state at the time:

“I was hurt. My feelings was hurt.”

– Eddie Murphy, comedian and actor.

Changes at SNL and Murphy’s Eventual Return

Despite this low point in their association, Murphy acknowledges that SNL has adapted over the years. According to him, the production team is now far less likely to approve jokes targeting their own cast in such a personal manner. As he notes,

“If there was a joke like that right now, and it was about some other SNL cast member, and it was about how f‑‑‑ed up their career was, it would get shot down,”

– Eddie Murphy, comedian and actor, and emphasized,

“The producers look at you, ‘You can’t, you’re not saying that joke.’”

– Eddie Murphy, comedian and actor.

After a significant 35-year absence, Murphy returned to SNL to host an episode on December 21, 2019. He described this comeback as a positive experience, demonstrating that time and changes at the show helped heal old wounds. Murphy’s journey, from being hurt by the David Spade SNL joke to reconnecting with a show central to his career, is now available to audiences through his Netflix documentary, Being Eddie.

The Lasting Impact of a Controversial Joke

The incident involving David Spade’s SNL joke is a reminder of how comedy can cross lines and leave lasting effects, especially on those who have close ties to the jokes’ origins. Eddie Murphy’s story illustrates how public scrutiny and institutional decisions can deeply impact artists. As SNL continues to evolve, Murphy’s candid account encourages reflection on the responsibility networks have toward their alumni and the importance of maintaining respect among colleagues within the entertainment industry.