Eddie Murphy Refused to Play Bill Cosby for 'SNL 40', Says Norm Macdonald

Macdonald says that he tried really hard to convince Murphy to play Cosby, but in the end, the 'Beverly Hills Cop' actor said no because he didn't want to 'kick a man when he is down.

Eddie Murphy was asked to play Bill Cosby on the 40th anniversary special of "Saturday Night Live" that aired last Sunday, February 15. Norm Macdonald made the revelation as he talked about preparations for the show in a bunch of Twitter posts he sent out on Wednesday, February 18.

In tweets detailing the "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketch, Macdonald said that Murphy was originally expected to portray Cosby. He said he and co-writers Steve Higgins and Lori Jo Hoekstra tried hard to convince the "Beverly Hills Cop" actor to play the 77-year-old comedian who's been accused of sexual assault by numerous women.

In the end, Murphy decided not to do it. Macdonald explained, "Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down. Eddie Murphy, I realize, is not like the rest of us. Eddie does not need the laughs." He went on praising Murphy, "Eddie Murphy is the coolest, a rockstar even in a room with actual rockstars."

Kenan Thompson eventually played Cosby in the sketch that also featured Will Ferrell as Alex Trebek, Macdonald as Burt Reynolds, Darrell Hammond as Sean Connery and Kate McKinnon as Justin Bieber.

The "SNL 40" marks Murphy's first time to return to the show after a 30-year absence. During the 3.5 hour special, he briefly entertained the audience as he delivered a short speech.