Tracy Morgan may be known for his comedic talents, but his life has been far from a series of light-hearted moments. The actor has faced a range of challenges and difficult situations, often using humor as a way to cope with the hardships he’s encountered.
Recently, Morgan made headlines after experiencing a sudden illness during a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden. During the third quarter of the game against the Miami Heat, Morgan fell ill and was seen being taken away in a wheelchair, which quickly went viral on social media. The next day, Morgan took to social media to update his fans, revealing that he had been struck by food poisoning. While acknowledging the situation, he managed to find humor in it, writing a lighthearted message alongside a photo of himself apparently in a hospital bed. “Appreciate my MSG family for taking such good care of me and I need to shout out the crew that had to clean that up. Appreciate you!” he joked. Morgan went on to add, “More importantly, the Knicks are now 1-0 when I throw up on the court, so maybe I’ll have to break it out again in the playoffs #goknicks.”
This was just another chapter in Morgan’s life, which has been filled with both challenges and moments of triumph. Growing up in a rough neighborhood in New York City, Morgan’s childhood was marked by adversity. He often talks about growing up across from the Marcy Projects, an area notorious for its crime, drugs, and poverty. Despite these hardships, Morgan has made it clear that he feels a sense of “survivor’s guilt” for having found success, especially when he compares his own path to those of the friends he grew up with.
In a 2024 appearance on the “Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart” podcast, Morgan opened up about the trauma of his childhood. “You know why I don’t really listen to hip hop like that? Or deal with the streets like that,” he said, explaining that much of the pain and suffering from his youth stemmed from the losses of friends to prison or death. “Some of them died. I was traumatized. It’s hard.” Despite this, Morgan’s sense of humor emerged as a coping mechanism.
Morgan also shared that his comedic roots came from his family, especially his father. His dad had performed stand-up comedy while serving in Vietnam, and Morgan said that he would mimic his father’s style, realizing he too had a knack for making people laugh. Morgan also fondly recalls his Uncle Mike, who wasn’t just a source of humor but also someone who provided comfort during difficult times. His uncle’s endearing quirkiness—like making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at 2 a.m.—left a lasting impression on Morgan, contributing to his own sense of humor and his ability to find joy even in challenging circumstances.
In his youth, Morgan made a bold decision to drop out of high school. He left just a few credits shy of graduation, choosing to focus on making money and helping support his family. When asked about this decision years later, Morgan reflected on how glad he was that he didn’t have a backup plan. In a 2010 interview with the New York Post, he remarked, “I’m glad I didn’t have anything to fall back on, man, because that made me go for my dreams that much harder.” For Morgan, dropping out of high school was not a setback, but rather the catalyst that pushed him to pursue his dreams with everything he had.
However, his path to success wasn’t without health struggles. In 2010, Morgan underwent a kidney transplant after years of diabetes wreaking havoc on his body. At the time, he was also dealing with alcohol-related issues, which further compounded his health challenges. Morgan humorously described an alter ego he created, “Chico Divine,” who would drink, sometimes smoke weed, and dance for the ladies, but as his drinking escalated, it led to numerous DUI arrests. By 2007, he was forced to wear an ankle bracelet to monitor his alcohol consumption, which became a source of embarrassment for Morgan. In a candid moment, he recalled how his oldest son looked at him with disappointment, a moment that forced Morgan to confront his behavior and make significant changes. The ankle monitor even caused an injury that nearly led to the amputation of his foot. But through it all, Morgan persevered and eventually became sober, marking a turning point in his life.
In addition to his struggles with substance abuse and health, Morgan’s life took a tragic turn in 2014 when he was involved in a catastrophic car accident. While traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike in a limousine bus, Morgan’s vehicle collided with a Walmart truck, leaving him critically injured. The crash claimed the life of his close friend and mentor, James “Jimmy Mac” McNair, and Morgan was left in a coma for weeks. His injuries were severe, and he spent months in a wheelchair, facing the long road to recovery. The physical and emotional toll was immense, but Morgan found a way to turn his darkest moment into comedy.
As part of his healing process, Morgan often reflects on how he had to learn to walk again, coincidentally at the same time his daughter, who was only 14 months old at the time, was also learning to walk. He shared this experience during his 2017 Netflix special Staying Alive, calling it “magic” to go through such a life-changing journey alongside his daughter.
Through it all, Morgan has managed to find humor in the most difficult of circumstances. Whether it’s a serious health scare, a painful childhood, or a life-altering accident, Morgan has developed the ability to laugh at the challenges he faces, making them a source of strength. His ability to transform tragedy into comedy is one of the reasons he remains such a beloved figure in the world of entertainment. He continues to turn adversity into something that resonates with his fans, proving that laughter truly can be the best medicine.
