Comedy star Tracy Morgan has shared his experience of feeling like an outsider during his early years on “Saturday Night Live,” revealing how he eventually found his voice on the iconic show.
In a new Peacock documentary “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,” Morgan discusses the challenges he faced as a cast member from 1996 to 2003. The Bronx native admits he struggled to bridge the cultural gap between his background and the show’s environment.
“I wanted to show them my world, how funny it was,” Morgan says in the documentary. “But the first three years, I felt like I was being culturally isolated sometimes. I’m an inner-city kid. To be on the whitest show in America, I felt by myself.”
A breakthrough came after a straightforward conversation with SNL creator Lorne Michaels. “Tracy, I hired you because you’re funny, not because you’re Black. So just do your thing,” Michaels told him. These words helped Morgan embrace his comedic talents fully.
Following this exchange, Morgan created several popular characters that became fan favorites. His roster included Brian Fellow, Dominican Lou, Astronaut Jones, African Andy, and Benny the Bengal.
The documentary shows Morgan looking back at his original audition tape. He reflects on how the show’s producers recognized potential in him that he hadn’t yet seen in himself.
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After leaving SNL in 2003, Morgan’s career continued to flourish. He landed a starring role in Tina Fey’s “30 Rock” and appeared in films like “Coming 2 America” and “Death at a Funeral.”
His career path took an unexpected turn in 2014 when he survived a serious car crash that put him in a coma for two weeks. A decade later, Morgan publicly forgave the driver and honored his friend James McNair, who died in the accident.
The revelations appear in Peacock’s new documentary series, which explores SNL’s rich history, including its behind-the-scenes processes, auditions, and most memorable moments.
