United Kingdom, Feb. 7 -- Ben Stiller quit 'Saturday Night Live' because he "wasn't a great live performer".

The 59-year-old actor joined the cast of the long-running TV comedy show in 1989, at the age of 23, but Ben quit the programme after just four episodes, realising he wasn't suited to the format.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: "I just knew that I wasn't a great live performer."

Ben used to feel anxious before the show and he ultimately realised that he was more suited to "making movies".

The 'Zoolander' star recalled: "It got me nervous. I get stressed out even thinking about it, and making movies is the opposite of that. You get to do it over and over again."

'Saturday Night Live' is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year...