Tracy Morgan is a well-known comedian, actor, and author who has amassed a net worth of $70 million. Throughout his career, Morgan has appeared on television, in films, and in stand-up comedy specials. He became widely recognized during his time on Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2003. Morgan later starred as Tracy Jordan on the Emmy-nominated sitcom 30 Rock, which aired from 2006 to 2013. His role in the show, a humorous take on his own off-screen persona, earned him a significant fanbase.
Morgan’s career further expanded with roles in various films. He appeared in The Longest Yard (2005), Cop Out (2010), and Death at a Funeral (2010). Additionally, he showcased his comedic talents in multiple stand-up comedy specials, including Tracy Morgan: Black and Blue (2011), Tracy Morgan: Bona Fide (2014), and Tracy Morgan: Staying Alive (2017). More recently, Tracy starred in the TBS series The Last O.G. starting in 2018. His memoir, I Am the New Black, was released in 2009, further adding to his portfolio.
Tragic Car Accident and Recovery
On June 7, 2014, Tracy Morgan was involved in a severe car accident in New Jersey when a Walmart truck rear-ended the minibus he was traveling in. Morgan was with several comedians after a show when the crash occurred. Tragically, his friend and mentor, James McNair, lost his life in the accident. Morgan sustained serious injuries, including a brain injury, a broken nose, leg, and ribs. He was put in a medically induced coma for two weeks and underwent surgery on his leg the day after the crash.
Morgan’s recovery was long and arduous. He was transferred to a rehabilitation center on June 20, 2014, and was released in mid-July. The truck driver, Kevin Roper, had reportedly been awake for over 24 hours at the time of the crash. In 2016, he pled guilty to vehicular homicide and aggravated assault charges. Tracy Morgan sued Walmart in 2014, and the lawsuit was reportedly settled for an undisclosed amount in May 2015, with rumors speculating a $90 million settlement. However, Morgan’s lawyer denied these figures.Despite his significant injuries, Morgan was motivated to recover after witnessing his daughter take her first steps. This moment inspired him to walk again after months in a wheelchair.
Early Life and Struggles
Born on November 10, 1968, in The Bronx, New York, Tracy Morgan had a challenging childhood. His mother, Alicia, was a homemaker, while his father, Jimmy, was a musician, a Vietnam veteran, and a recovering heroin addict. When Tracy was just six years old, his father left his mother and their five children. Morgan grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Tompkins Houses and was bullied during his youth. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School, where a significant event occurred during his sophomore year.
In 1985, Tracy learned that his father had contracted AIDS due to his drug use. Tracy, who had recently married, dropped out of school in 1987 to care for his ailing father. Sadly, Jimmy passed away later that year. In an effort to support his new family, Morgan briefly sold crack. Tragically, his best friend was murdered, which inspired Tracy to pursue comedy. He began performing on the streets, eventually working his way into the stand-up comedy scene.
Rise to Fame
Morgan’s journey to fame began with a role on the television show Martin in 1994, where he played the character Hustle Man. This role helped launch his career, and by 1996, Tracy Morgan was a cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL). His time on SNL was marked by iconic characters like Brian Fellows and Astronaut Jones, which made him a fan favorite. Over seven seasons, Morgan appeared in 137 episodes. During this period, he also filmed several movies, including Half Baked (1998), How High (2001), and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001).
Morgan’s time on SNL wasn’t his only project during those years. He also voiced characters in Crank Yankers (2002-2005) and starred in The Tracy Morgan Show (2003-2004), which he produced. From 2006 to 2013, Morgan’s role on 30 Rock brought him even greater recognition. The show earned widespread acclaim, and Morgan’s portrayal of Tracy Jordan was integral to its success. He appeared in all 138 episodes, and in 2020, the cast reunited for a special episode during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expanding Career and Voice Work
During his time on 30 Rock, Morgan expanded his career into voice acting. He lent his voice to the 2006 film Farce of the Penguins, the 2009 movie G-Force, and the animated film Rio (2011). He also reprised his role for Rio 2 (2014). Morgan continued voice work in The Boxtrolls (2014), The Simpsons (2018), and Scoob! (2020), and Spirited (2022). His film career flourished with roles in Top Five (2014), The Night Before (2015), Fist Fight (2017), and What Men Want (2019).
In 2020, Morgan starred in Coming 2 America, a sequel to the 1988 classic Coming to America. He also made guest appearances in other popular series like The Twilight Zone reboot (2019) and is set to voice the Easter Bunny in the Disney+ series The Santa Clauses.
Personal Life and Challenges
Tracy Morgan’s personal life has been both eventful and turbulent. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Sabina, from 1987 to 2009. They had a son, Tracy Jr., in 1992, and Morgan adopted Sabina’s sons from previous relationships. Tragically, Sabina passed away from cancer in 2016. Morgan remarried model Megan Wollover in 2015, and the couple had a daughter, Maven, born in 2013. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2020.
Morgan’s struggles with alcohol led to personal issues, including the breakdown of his marriage to Sabina. He also faced legal trouble, including a New York DUI charge and a charge in Los Angeles. In 1996, Morgan was diagnosed with diabetes, and in 2010, he underwent a kidney transplant.
In 2019, it was reported that Morgan owned a $2 million Bugatti after being involved in a minor accident in Manhattan, highlighting his continued success and wealth.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Tracy Morgan has received numerous accolades for his work. In 2009, he earned his first Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in 30 Rock. In 2016, he received another nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Saturday Night Live.
Morgan has also been honored with several awards, including a Golden Nymph Award and a NAMIC Vision Award for 30 Rock in 2010. He and the cast of The Boxtrolls won a Behind the Voice Feature Film Voice Acting Award in 2015. Over the years, Morgan has been nominated for three Black Reel Awards for Television, ten NAACP Image Awards, and three Online Film & Television Association awards.
One of the highlights of his career came in 2018 when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2022, the New York Friars Club awarded Morgan the prestigious Entertainment Icon Award, making him only the ninth recipient and the first Black person to earn this honor.
Real Estate Ventures
Tracy Morgan has also made notable real estate investments. In 2011, he purchased a 4,485-square-foot home in Cresskill, New Jersey, for $2.2 million. However, he sold the property for $1.2 million in 2019 after listing it for $2.25 million in 2018.
In 2015, Morgan made an even bigger real estate purchase, buying a 22-room mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, for $13.9 million. The sprawling 22,000-square-foot estate includes a basketball court, a bowling alley, a movie theater, and several large fish tanks, making it a luxurious home for the comedian.
Conclusion
Tracy Morgan’s journey from a troubled childhood to a successful career in comedy, acting, and voice work is a testament to his resilience and talent. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including a life-changing car accident, Morgan has continued to thrive, earning acclaim and recognition for his work. With a rich career spanning television, film, stand-up comedy, and voice acting, Tracy Morgan’s legacy in the entertainment world is firmly established.
