Eddie Murphy Honored at Kennedy Center with Mark Twain Prize

Comedian and former Saturday Night Live savior Eddie Murphy was recently honored at the Kennedy Center with the Mark Twain Prize. Murphy was joined by the likes of Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, new Daily Show host Trevor Noah, Kathy Griffin, and more, in being esteemed as an "American icon."

The Huffington Post reports that the Mark Twain Prize is of top honor in terms of the field of humor. In the past the award has gone to notable names such as Jay Leno, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, Billy Crystal, and so many more.

And yes, even Bill Cosby.

Tracy Morgan, who recently delighted crowds with his stellar performance as host of this past weekend's Saturday Night Live, with musical guest Demi Lovato, honored Murphy in an emotional tribute, calling him his "comedic hero."

On the performer, Morgan expressed, "He's the reason I'm in comedy. He's the reason I have a job. He's the reason I have a career."

Fellow comedians Jay Pharoah, Kevin Nealon and Joe Piscopo – whose careers were also made because of Saturday Night Live – also paid tribute to Murphy. The latter of whom appeared alongside Murphy in the famed "Ebony and Ivory" sketch from 1982.

During the ceremony, Nealon made a remark about Murphy's career, saying, "Some people are just blessed with talent, and with Eddie, it was just luck."

Naturally he was joking. Of course, given Murphy's appearance on SNL's 40th anniversary, well, maybe it's not too far off now.

Take a look below and you might understand.

SNL 40 aside, Eddie Murphy's career and contribution to the comedy community is rather remarkable, and therefore honoring him is undoubtedly necessary.

Just, you know, as long as he doesn't make another Holy Man.