Joe Piscopo Says He Was ‘Scared Silly’ When He Joined “SNL”, but Was ‘So Grateful’ to Have Eddie Murphy by His Side (Exclusive)
Joe Piscopo Says He Was ‘Scared Silly’ When He Joined “SNL”, but Was ‘So Grateful’ to Have Eddie Murphy by His Side (Exclusive)
Tereza Shkurtaj, Scott HuverSun, April 26, 2026 at 1:59 PM UTC
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Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo.Credit: Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty -
On April 18, 2026, Joe Piscopo attended the American Film Institute's 51st AFI Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Eddie Murphy
During the event, the 74-year-old recalled working with Murphy on Saturday Night Live four decades ago
Piscopo told PEOPLE he remains “grateful” for his memories with Murphy before his rise to major film stardom in films like Dr. Dolittle and Shrek
Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy helped shape a memorable era of Saturday Night Live. As part of the early 1980s cast, the two brought very different styles that ended up complementing each other perfectly.
Piscopo built a reputation for spot-on celebrity impressions and offbeat characters, while Murphy's fearless, natural charisma quickly made him a standout. Looking back on their chemistry during the American Film Institute's tribute to Murphy, Piscopo couldn't hold back his appreciation.
“I am so grateful. I stand before you today, so grateful to have the magnificence of Eddie Murphy in my life on camera and off,” Piscopo tells PEOPLE exclusively.
Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo.Credit: Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
When recalling the start of his SNL run, Piscopo admits he didn't walk onto the job feeling confident and was actually “scared silly” in those early days. Murphy, however, was not.
“Eddie had a street swagger from day one,” Piscopo reveals, adding that while he was overly prepared and had his lines studied, “Eddie never looked at a script.”
That difference could have created tension, but instead it pushed Piscopo to loosen up, helping the two find a natural rhythm. “I think because of Eddie Murphy, we were able to have that synergy back and forth, alive,” Piscopo shares.
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Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy.Credit: Raymond Bonar/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Behind the scenes, however, the grind was real. Piscopo described long nights where the two would “hunker down” and figure out what they were going to do for the weekend show, often staying up all night and even sleeping on couches.
The setup was far from glamorous, and Piscopo jokes they didn't have much more than “an apple machine” to supply energy, but their focus stayed on the work. The duo was committed to making something fun for the audience, week after week, during a time when expectations were sky-high.
“We weren't drug guys. We weren't doing drugs,” Piscopo emphasizes. “We were just having fun and dedicated to having some fun on the air…it was a real joy for me.”
Joe Piscopo impersonating Frank SinatraCredit: Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty
While speaking to PEOPLE, Piscopo also reflected on the fact that Murphy — despite carrying himself so confidently — was only 19 at the time.
With nearly a decade more experience, Piscopo sometimes found himself stepping back and realizing just how rare that kind of talent was at such a young age. One moment in particular, just before a Weekend Update segment built around one of Murphy's ideas, still stands out to the now 74-year-old comedian.
As Murphy got ready to go on, there was a brief pause where the magnitude of the moment seemed to hit the then-teenager. Piscopo remembers him quietly saying, “The kids at Roosevelt High will never believe this" — Murphy's former high school in Long Island, N.Y.
According to Piscopo, that moment was “the greatest thing ever.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
