Garrett Morris Wiki: Garrett Isaac Morris was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 1, 1937. He is a talented American actor, comedian, and singer, known for being a key member and the initial Black member of the cast on the comedy show Saturday Night Live, where he starred from 1975 to 1980.
Morris has enjoyed a successful TV and film career beyond SNL, including memorable parts in The Jeffersons, The Jamie Foxx Show, and 2 Broke Girls. In 2024, he was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
Garrett Morris Wiki: Early Life and Education
Garrett Morris, a renowned American comedian and actor, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 1, 1937. Raised by his Baptist Minister grandfather, Thomas Phillips, and caring grandmother, Gertrude Phillips, Morris showcased his singing talent in the church choir during his childhood before pursuing formal training at the Juilliard School of Music.
Early Career
Garrett Morris started his career as a member of the Harry Belafonte Singers, where he sang for a decade. While there, he transitioned into acting and took on roles in various Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals such as “Porgy and Bess” and “Show Boat”.
Saturday Night Live (SNL)
In 1975, Garrett Morris joined “The Not Ready for Primetime Players” on Saturday Night Live as one of the founding members. As the first Black cast member of the show, he faced challenges with the roles he was given but still achieved widespread fame. Morris is best known for his iconic recurring characters, including the President of the New York School for the Hard of Hearing and Chico Escuela. His time on SNL came to an end in 1980 when the original cast members departed.
Later Career
Upon departing from SNL, Garrett Morris successfully battled a drug dependency. He was featured on both The Jeffersons and in the movie The Stuff. Garrett Morris frequently guest-starred on African-American sitcoms like The Jamie Foxx Show. In the latter part of his career, Morris had a role in Ant-Man (2015). He eventually earned admiration from subsequent generations of entertainers and viewers.
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Filmography
Morris has an extensive filmography:
- Where’s Poppa? (1970)
- The Anderson Tapes (1971)
- Cooley High (1975)
- Car Wash (1976)
- The Stuff (1985)
- Coneheads (1993)
- Santa with Muscles (1996)
- Twin Falls Idaho (1999)
- How High (2001)
- The Salon (2005)
- Who’s Your Caddy? (2007)
- The Longshots (2008)
- Ant-Man (2015)
- Grand-Daddy Day Care (2019)
Television
Garrett Morris has an extensive television career:
- Saturday Night Live (1975-1980)
- The Jeffersons (1983-1984)
- It’s Your Move (1984-1985)
- Hunter (1986-1989)
- Martin (1992-1995)
- The Jamie Foxx Show (1996-2001)
- 2 Broke Girls (2011-2017)
- This Is Us (2018-2019)
- Self Made (2020)
Net Worth
Garrett Morris’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million as of 2024.
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Personal Life
Garrett Morris, born on February 1, 1937, tied the knot with Freda Morris in 1996.
Children
Garrett Morris has a trio of children: Garrett Jr. and Gregory, who are sons, and Gabrielle, who is his daughter. All three have ventured into the entertainment field, with Garrett Jr. taking on acting and comedy, Gregory diving into music production, and Gabrielle making waves as an actress and singer.
Garrett Morris: Health Challenges
In Los Angeles in 1994, Garrett Morris was shot during a robbery, sustaining injuries to his chest and arm. The bullet first penetrated his arm, then his abdomen, causing damage to his intestines, aorta, and stomach, before coming to rest in his spinal canal. Morris had surgery and was initially in stable condition, but a bullet near his spinal cord remained.
After complications arose from the gunshot wound, he had to return to the hospital three weeks later due to a suspected infection. Garrett Morris had to use a wheelchair for a year following the incident.
Legacy
Garrett Morris conquered challenges to attain enduring success in the realms of comedy and acting, being acclaimed for his notable influence on the entertainment sector through his work on Saturday Night Live. On his 87th birthday, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
