Who Is SNL50’s Garrett Morris? His Saturday Night Live History & Impact Explained

Saturday Night Live celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a three-hour particular in February 2025, incorporating particular appearances by many vital figures within the present’s historical past, together with Garrett Morris. The late-night reside sketch comedy selection program, created by Lorne Michaels, premiered on October 11, 1975, and has dominated Saturday nights ever since. To commemorate Saturday Evening Stay‘s 50 years on the air, which has included iconic sketches, memorable music performances, and breakthroughs for quite a few comedians, NBC hosted “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” that includes appearances by present and former members of the group, together with Morris.

From original SNL cast members (like Chevy Chase and Jane Curtin) to notable stars (corresponding to Meryl Streep and Martin Quick), “SNL50: The Anniversary Particular” contained a numerous variety of well-known actors. They remade well-known sketches, paid tribute to former solid members who’ve since died, and performed songs. It was a real celebration of Saturday Evening Stay‘s historical past, which would not have been full with out Morris.

Garrett Morris Was An Unique SNL Solid Member & The First Black Actor

Morris Made His SNL Debut Throughout The Premiere In October 1975

Garrett Morris was considered one of the seven original Saturday Night Live cast members (aka the “Not Prepared for Prime Time Gamers”) and a author for the present. Nonetheless, he was additionally the primary Black comic on the solid. Morris, John Belushi, Gilda Radnor, Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman made up the crew of collection regulars throughout the first season of the late-night reside sketch comedy selection present, setting the tone for this system’s following 49 seasons. Consequently, they’re all integral figures within the Saturday Evening Stay group.

Morris’ impression, although, stretches additional than simply being within the unique solid as a result of he was Saturday Evening Stay‘s first Black solid member. As an SNL legend, Morris paved the best way for different Black comedians on the present. From Eddie Murphy and Leslie Jones to Kenan Thompson (SNL‘s longest-tenured cast member), Morris laid the groundwork for a lot of nice Black actors and actresses who got here after him, a lot of whom would go on to change into huge Hollywood stars.

Morris’ Time On SNL Wasn’t Completely satisfied Due To Typecasting

Morris Has Since Recounted His Frustration Whereas Being On SNL

Sadly, Garrett Morris’ work as an original Saturday Night Live personality wasn’t all sunshine and roses. Whereas talking to The Guardian, Morris recalled his expertise with racism whereas on the set, beginning within the writers’ room earlier than formally becoming a member of the solid. The actor defined:

“I’ll say to the tip of my days: Lorne [Michaels]’s writers had numerous racism occurring. Lorne himself? Zero racism. As a result of, keep in mind, after I was employed I used to be the one Black author. Lorne wished to have someone Black on TV at night-time. Folks did not need that. They have been clamoring to make all of it white. He did not.”

Nonetheless, Morris’ issues did not finish when he made his Saturday Evening Stay debut in October 1975 with the remainder of the solid. Based on the comic, typecasting was a major difficulty for him. One in every of his most memorable SNL characters is Chico Escuela, a Dominican Main Leaguer. Morris tried to battle in opposition to enjoying stereotypical Black roles, however there was solely a lot he may do. In regards to the writers’ tendency to typecast him, Morris instructed The Guardian, “It actually threw me after we have been going by means of the primary present.”

Following Morris’ exit from SNL after five seasons, Black solid members who got here after him have been cautious of struggling the identical destiny as him. Eddie Murphy even reportedly used Morris’ identify as a byword for typecasting. Nonetheless, Morris is glad together with his half in paving the best way for different Black comedians who adopted in his footsteps in Studio 8H. He mentioned, “I really feel proud that I used to be a minuscule a part of the start of SNL, that I created the chair for the non-white performer.”

Morris Has Appeared In Many Sitcoms Over The Years

After leaving Saturday Evening Stay in 1980, Garrett Morris went on to have an extended and profitable profession on TV. He was a trailblazer, not just for Black performers on SNL but in addition for Black actors and comedians as an entire. In fact, Morris’ breakout was on the NBC late-night reside sketch comedy selection program, which opened the door for him to star in different notable TV exhibits, corresponding to The Jeffersons and Martin. His most outstanding current function, although, was as Earl Washington within the solid of the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls.

On February 1, 2024 (which was additionally his 87th birthday), Morris was lastly honored together with his personal star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame. The visitor audio system included his Martin co-star Tichina Arnold and his 2 Broke Women co-star Jennifer Coolidge. Finally, Morris is a real TV legend, and it began throughout the premiere of Saturday Evening Stay on October 11, 1975.

TV Present

My Favourite TV Exhibits
My Watchlist

Saturday Night Live

8/10

Launch Date

October 11, 1975

Showrunner

Lorne Michaels

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  Adam McKay

  Self / Numerous

Supply: The Guardian