About
"You can't go into this business unless you're absolutely dedicated. If you're not dedicated please go back. You will stop and that is absolutely the truth. ... Having that inner belief is more important than anything else."
In his two-hour interview, Garrett Morris discusses his early work as a singer with Harry Belafonte. He outlines his transition from singing to acting and recalls his first television appearance on the TV show Roll Out! He then details his years working on Saturday Night Live, first as a writer and later as a performer. He cites the changes that have occurred on the program over the years and recalls working with SNL co-stars and guest hosts. Morris then recalls working on The Jeffersons and his appearances on ER, Hill Street Blues, and Hunter. He also outlines his experiences working on the TV show, Martin, and his brush with death in 1994 when he was shot in L.A. He explains why he decided to start his own comedy club and comments on his role in the hit show, 2 Broke Girls. He also discusses his personal project, Storyville, and speaks candidly on advice he would give to aspiring actors today. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on April 13, 2012 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Garrett Morris on being the only black cast member on Saturday Night Live
Garrett Morris on his comparison of the writing on 2 Broke Girls and Saturday Night Live
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase
Garrett Morris on what it was like to be on Saturday Night Live in the 1970s
Garrett Morris on Walter Matthau hosting Saturday Night Live
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on how he came to work with Harry Belafonte; on working on and off Broadway; on working with Lorne Michaels and graduating from "The Not Ready for Primetime Players;" on doing the film Cooley High
On his early singing style and work as a singer; on how his singing career transitioned into acting; on his first professional acting job; on his first TV appearance; on working as a writer on Saturday Night Live; on how Saturday Night Live has changed since its inception
On his first act on Saturday Night Live; on working on the "Death Row Follies" sketch for Saturday Night Live; on being the only black cast member on Saturday Night Live and other shows; on how he dealt with criticism while working on Saturday Night Live
On any regrets he has regarding his television work; on sketches he refused to do on Saturday Night Live; on how his relationship with the writers on Saturday Night Live evolved when he became a performer
Chapter 2
On memories of working with Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live; on what it was like to be on Saturday Night Live in the 1970s; on some of his most beloved characters; on impressions and meeting people he impersonated on Saturday Night Live
On his favorite characters and sketches from Saturday Night Live; on his relationships with his cast mates on the show; on working with Walter Matthau on Saturday Night Live; on why he left the show; on paving the way for other performers and performers who have paved the way for him
On his legacy on Saturday Night Live; on appearing on The Jeffersons; on his dramatic work on ER, Hill Street Blues and Hunter; on becoming a regular on Martin; on being shot in 1994; on joining the cast of The Jamie Foxx Show; on his favorite episode of The Jamie Foxx Show; on the representation of minorities on cable TV versus network TV; on his view of diversity on television
On his character on 2 Broke Girls; on working with the cast of the show; on his comparison of the writing on 2 Broke Girls and Saturday Night Live; on his favorite episode of 2 Broke Girls; on his comedy club; on his project, Storyville; on his fans; on advice he would give to aspiring actors; on his greatest achievement; on his biggest regret; on where he sees himself in ten years
Shows
2 Broke Girls
Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
Garrett Morris on Johnathan Kite's character on 2 Broke Girls
ER
Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER and Hill Street Blues and Hunter
Hill Street Blues
Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER and Hill Street Blues and Hunter
Hunter
Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER and Hill Street Blues and Hunter
Jeffersons, The
Garrett Morris on appearing on the TV show, The Jeffersons
Roll Out!
Garrett Morris on his first TV appearance on Roll Out!
Saturday Night Live
Garrett Morris on working as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live
Garrett Morris on memories of working with Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - "Chico Escuela", created by Bill Murray and Brian Doyle Murray
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase
Garrett Morris on his Saturday Night Live characters and cast-mates
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Garrett Morris on his character "Wheels" on the TV show Roll Out!
Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - "Chico Escuela", created by Bill Murray and Brian Doyle Murray
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase
Garrett Morris on Jonathan Kite's character "Oleg" on 2 Broke Girls
Pop Culture
Garrett Morris on his character "Wheels" on the TV show Roll Out!
Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - "Chico Escuela", created by Bill Murray and Brian Doyle Murray
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase
Garrett Morris on impressions he did on Saturday Night Live
Garrett Morris on impressions he did on Saturday Night Live
Garrett Morris on Jonathan Kite's character "Oleg" on 2 Broke Girls
Representation on Television
Garrett Morris on being the only black cast member on Saturday Night Live and other shows
Garrett Morris on the representation of minorities on cable TV versus network TV
Underrepresented Voices
Garrett Morris on being the only black cast member on Saturday Night Live and other shows
Garrett Morris on the representation of minorities on cable TV versus network TV
Professions
Genres
Comedy Series
Garrett Morris on working as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live
Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER and Hill Street Blues and Hunter
Late Night
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase for Saturday Night Live
Garrett Morris on his Saturday Night Live characters and cast-mates
Medical Dramas
Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER
People
Ed Begley, Jr. with Emerson College
Garrett Morris on memories of Ed Begley Jr. of Roll Out!
Harry Belafonte
Garrett Morris on how he came to work with Harry Belafonte
Chevy Chase
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase
Larry Gelbart
Garrett Morris on his first TV appearance on Roll Out!
Sherman Hemsley
Garrett Morris on fond memories working with Sherman Hemsley, Michael Moye and Ron Levitt on The Jeffersons
Walter Matthau
Garrett Morris on Walter Matthau hosting Saturday Night Live
Lorne Michaels
Garrett Morris on working with Lorne Michaels and graduating from "The Not Ready for Primetime Players"
Garrett Morris on how Saturday Night Live was first described to him
Garrett Morris on memories of working with Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live
Bill Murray
Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - "Chico Escuela", created by Bill Murray and Brian Doyle Murray
Gene Reynolds
Garrett Morris on his first TV appearance on Roll Out !
Mel Stuart
Garrett Morris on working with Mel Stuart and Val Bisoglio on Roll Out!