Garrett Morris

Garrett Morris – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

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Garrett Morris (born February 1, 1937) is an American comedian, actor, singer, and pioneer of sketch comedy. Explore his early life, SNL legacy, acting roles, memorable quotes, and lasting influence.

Introduction

Garrett Isaac Morris (born February 1, 1937) is an American comedian, actor, singer, and writer, whose career spans Broadway, film, television, and sketch comedy. He is best known as one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live, where he became the show’s first Black cast member (1975–1980). Over subsequent decades he has continued to work in sitcoms, films, and voice work, combining his musical training, comedic instincts, and character acting to remain a vibrant presence in entertainment.

Early Life and Family

Garrett Morris was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the Gert Town neighborhood, a community marked by economic challenges. He was raised by his grandparents; his grandfather was a Baptist minister. From a young age, Morris sang in church and developed musical talent, which later informed his career path.

He pursued formal musical education, graduating from Dillard University in 1958. He also studied at the Juilliard School of Music.

Early in his career, he sang with The Belafonte Folk Singers and participated in musical and theatrical projects.

Career and Achievements

The SNL Years & Sketch Comedy Pioneer

In 1975, Garrett Morris became one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live, joining the ensemble in the show’s inaugural year. He holds the distinction of being the first Black cast member on SNL.

On SNL, some of his recurring characters and bits included:

• Chico Escuela, a Dominican baseball player whose catchphrase “Baseball … been berra berra good to me” became iconic.

• The “News for the Hard of Hearing” anchor, shouting every headline while cupping his hands around his mouth, parodying sign-language interpretation.

• Occasional classical singing bits (e.g. Mozart, Schubert) used in comedic juxtaposition.

Despite his talent, Morris has expressed that during his SNL tenure he often felt typecast in stereotypical roles and had challenges pushing against those constraints as a Black performer.

He remained with SNL through 1980.

Transition to Television & Sitcoms

After SNL, Morris continued to work in television across a wide range of roles:

• He appeared in The Jeffersons (1983–1984) as Jimmy.

• He was a cast member on Martin (1992–1995) playing Stan Winters.

  • However, in 1994, he was shot in an attempted robbery, and the injury affected his ability to continue in the role for a time.

• He played “Uncle Junior” (Junior King) on The Jamie Foxx Show (1996–2001).

• From 2011 to 2017, he appeared as Earl Washington on 2 Broke Girls.

• He had many guest roles in shows such as Diff’rent Strokes, Hill Street Blues, 227, Hunter, Roc, ER, Shameless, This Is Us, and more.

Film, Voice, and Other Media

Garrett Morris has also appeared in numerous films over decades including:

• Cooley High (1975) — as Mr. Mason

• Car Wash (1976) — as Slide

• The Census Taker (1984)

• The Stuff (1985) — in a comedic horror role as “Chocolate Chip” Charlie

• Cameo in Ant-Man (2015)

He also founded or operated The Downtown Comedy Club in Los Angeles, contributing to local comedy and mentorship.

In 2024, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his many years of contribution to television and entertainment.

Legacy and Influence

Garrett Morris is widely regarded as a trailblazer in American sketch comedy, especially as one of the first Black performers in the mainstream sketch-comedy television space. His characters, particularly Chico Escuela and his “Hard of Hearing” news bit, have endured in popular memory. He’s also respected for combining musical training and comedic instincts, demonstrating depth beyond pure comedy.

In the later stages of his career, his roles in sitcoms like The Jamie Foxx Show and 2 Broke Girls helped bridge generational gaps, showing that seasoned performers can bring nuance, timing, and stability to ensemble casts.

He has also been cited by younger comedians as generous in giving advice about timing, structure, stage presence, and respect for the audience.

Morris’s life also reflects perseverance through adversity—whether facing racial challenges, typecasting, or even surviving a gunshot wound. His continued activity into his later years underscores lifelong dedication to his craft.

Personality, Themes & Traits

From his interviews and roles, several personal traits and themes stand out:

• Musical discipline: His foundation as a trained singer gives him control over voice, timing, and tone, which enrich his comedic delivery.

• Versatility: He moves between sketch, sitcom, drama, cameo, voice work, and live performance.

• Understated humor: In many of his roles, he brings weight through subtlety—often delivering ironic or dry lines that anchor scenes.

• Courage & resilience: Surviving violence, navigating a racially biased industry, and staying active as age advances all reflect inner strength.

• Mentorship & professionalism: His public statements and work with comedy clubs show care for the next generation.

Famous Quotes of Garrett Morris

While Garrett Morris is not as frequently quoted compared to some comedians, a few lines and sentiments capture his voice and perspective:

“I happen to dig being able to use whatever mystique I have to further the idea of peace.”

Beyond that, his interviews reveal reflections on race, aging, craft, and perseverance. For example:

• Morris has recounted incidents of being racially profiled, e.g. being arrested “for walking while Black,” shedding light on systemic discrimination even for established artists.

• He has spoken of feeling constrained during his SNL years, wanting roles beyond racial stereotypes.

Lessons from Garrett Morris

1. Build on your foundations
   Morris’s musical training and discipline undergirded his comedic work—showing that depth in one area can elevate work in others.

2. Persist through constraints
   Despite typecasting and racial bias, he continued pushing into diverse roles and mediums.

3. Stay active and adaptable
   His ability to shift into sitcoms, voice roles, guest spots, and mentoring demonstrates flexibility in a changing industry.

4. Embrace your age and legacy
   Rather than retire quietly, he has remained visible, accepting honors and performing into later years.

5. Use your platform for perspective
   His commentary on race, justice, and experience adds weight beyond laughs, reminding viewers that humor can coexist with conscience.

Conclusion

Garrett Morris’s life is a testament to creative persistence, adaptability, and integrity. From his roots in New Orleans and musical training to becoming an original SNL cast member and then a longtime actor and mentor, he has left indelible marks on comedy, television, and entertainment as a whole.

Though his roles may vary and his public profile may shift, his contributions—particularly as a pioneer for Black performers in sketch comedy—remain significant. For fans of comedy, music, or television history, exploring Garrett Morris’s work offers insight into how artistry, identity, and resilience can intertwine.

Explore more of his sketches, sitcom appearances, and interviews to gain a fuller appreciation of a performer who has long earned both respect and laughter.