Story highlights The comedy legend will appear on the 40th anniversary special

His last appearance was as host in 1984

(CNN) He's back!

After more than 30 years, Eddie Murphy is returning to Saturday Night Live.

The comedy legend will appear on the 40th anniversary special of the NBC sketch comedy show. The special airs February 15.

Murphy, who started his stand-up comedy career at 15, was 19 when he joined the show in 1981.

His last appearance was as host in 1984, by which time he had become a mega-movie star with "Beverly Hills Cop."

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