Bill Cosby ‘Very Appreciative’ That Eddie Murphy Passed On ‘SNL’ Impression

Eddie Murphy was reportedly asked to impersonate Bill Cosby on the “Saturday Night Live” 40th Anniversary special, he passed on it and Cosby is pleased.

“I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions,” Cosby said in a statement through his spokesperson on Thursday.

According to “SNL” alum Norm Macdonald, the “SNL” writers wanted Murphy to impersonate the headline-making comedian during the show’s “Celebrity Jeopardy” sketch.

READ: Bill Cosby: ‘I’m Far From Finished’

Cosby has been accused of rape and sexual assault by numerous women in recent months. He has denied the allegations against him through his lawyer, and has not been charged with any crime.

On Wednesday on Twitter, Macdonald gave an account of trying to convince Murphy to play Cosby.

“We talk in his dressing room a good hour. When it’s over, I’m convinced he’ll do it,” Norm Tweeted on Wednesday. “He doesn’t.”

READ: Bill Cosby Jokes About Drinking Around Him; Heckled At Show In Canada

He knew the laughs would bring the house down. Eddie Murphy knows what will work on SNL better than any one.

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down.

— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) February 19, 2015

According to Norm, Eddie wasn’t concerned about having a Cosby moment. Current “SNL” cast member Kenan Thompson ended up playing the headline-making comedian in the sketch.

“Eddie Murphy, I realize, is not like the rest of us. Eddie does not need the laughs,” Norm wrote in another Tweet.

PHOTOS: ‘Saturday Night Live’ 40th Anniversary Red Carpet

Adding, “Eddie Murphy is the coolest, a rockstar even in a room with actual rockstars.”

Murphy had no comment when contacted by Access on Thursday.

— Jesse Spero