Eddie Murphy didn’t just join SNL; he single-handedly saved it from the brink of cancellation in the early ’80s. A supernova of talent, he radiated a cocksure charisma that was simply undeniable. From a surly Gumby to a slick Velvet Jones and a streetwise Mister Robinson, Murphy commanded the screen with an electrifying energy that the show hadn’t seen before and arguably hasn’t since. He left Studio 8H not for a career, but for a global conquest, becoming one of the biggest movie stars on the planet with hits like Beverly Hills Cop and 48 Hours. His triumphant 2019 return to host felt less like a reunion and more like a king visiting a kingdom he protected.