Eddie Murphy urged actors to "never play a spaceship" at the Critics' Choice Awards

Addressing the audience, he said: "I've played everything, I've been a cop and a robber and a doctor and a professor, I've played different ethnicities, I've been animals, I've been a donkey.

"I even played a spaceship once. That's the one thing, when young actors come up to me on the street and they say, 'Do you have any advice?'

"I say, 'Never play a spaceship.' "

In 2021, Eddie - who was introduced by his 'Dolemite Is My Name' co-star Keegan-Michael Key - will celebrate 40 years "making movies", and he described his job as "a privilege and a blessing".

He added: "I've been making movies, next year, for 40 years.

"I've been doing it for a minute now, and being able to make a living as an actor is a privilege and a blessing, and to make your living making people laugh - you're the luckiest person on Earth to be able to do that."

Meanwhile, the former 'Saturday Night Live' performer said the recognition came after a "great year" in 2019, which saw him return to host the iconic comedy show for the first time in 35 years.

In an emotional moment, Eddie gushed: "This is perfectly timed. I had a great year, and this is a great way to top the year off.

"And thank you, Critics' Choice Association, for giving me something to acknowledge my whole body of work. I really appreciate it."