Los Angeles, Feb 20 (IANS): Bill Cosby has applauded Eddie Murphy's decision not to portray the disgraced comedian in a sketch on “Saturday Night Live” 40th anniversary special.

Cosby thanked Murphy for refusing to poke fun at him, saying through a spokesperson: "I am very appreciative of Eddie and I applaud his actions,” reports aceshowbiz.com.

Former cast member Norm Macdonald was the one who revealed that Murphy was about to be included in a “Celebrity Jeopardy” skit where he was supposed to play Cosby in a Daily Double video about "Favorite Cocktails".

Macdonald said he and co-writers Steve Higgins and Lori Jo Hoekstra tried hard to convince Murpy to play the 77-year-old, but in the end Murphy decided not to do it.

In a series of Twitter posts, Macdonald wrote: “Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down. Eddie Murphy, I realise, is not like the rest of us. Eddie does not need the laughs.”

Actor Kenan Thompson eventually played Cosby in the sketch, while Murphy appeared on the star-studded special to deliver a monologue. His representative refused to comment on the story shared by Macdonald and said: “Eddie was invited to attend the show, and he attended.”