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Garrett Morris

Actor

"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."

About This Interview

In his two-hour Archive 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 in North Hollywood, CA on April 13, 2012.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • 2 Broke Girls
  • ER
  • Hill Street Blues
  • Hunter
  • Jeffersons, The
  • Roll Out!
  • Saturday Night Live

People

  • Larry Gelbart
  • Sherman Hemsley
  • Gene Reynolds

Topics

  • Characters & Catchphrases
  • Diversity in Television
  • Minorities
  • Pop Culture

Professions

  • Performers
  • Writers & Show Creators

Featured Content

Video Clip: Garrett Morris does the news for the hard of hearing on "Saturday Night Live":
SNL News: Top Story - watch more funny videos
YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
  • Highlights
  • Interview
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres
  • Professions

Highlights

  • Garrett Morris on being the only black cast member on <i>Saturday Night Live</i>Garrett Morris on being the only black cast member on Saturday Night Live
    Clip begins at: 40:21, Duration: 04m 52s
  • Garrett Morris on his comparison of the writing on <i>2 Broke Girls</i> and <i>Saturday Night Live</i>Garrett Morris on his comparison of the writing on 2 Broke Girls and Saturday Night Live
    Clip begins at: 45:31, Duration: 01m 08s
  • Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved <i>Saturday Night Live</i> characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy ChaseGarrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase
    Clip begins at: 12:28, Duration: 01m 04s
  • Garrett Morris on what it was like to be on <i>Saturday Night Live</i> in the 1970sGarrett Morris on what it was like to be on Saturday Night Live in the 1970s
    Clip begins at: 04:50, Duration: 04m 18s
  • Garrett Morris on getting a chance to sing when Walter Matthau hosted <i>Saturday Night Live</i> <br/>Garrett Morris on getting a chance to sing when Walter Matthau hosted Saturday Night Live
    Clip begins at: 21:31, Duration: 02m 09s

Interview

  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 18:24
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 34:26
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 46:58
  • Part 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
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 18:28
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 28:32
  • 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
    Clip begins at: 44:23

Shows

  • 2 Broke Girls
    • Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 44:10, Duration: 01m 00s
    • Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 55:04, Duration: 00m 48s
    • Garrett Morris on Johnathan Kite's character on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 16:31, Duration: 00m 32s
  • ER
    • Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER and Hill Street Blues and Hunter
      Clip begins at: 30:03, Duration: 00m 47s
  • Hill Street Blues
    • Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER and Hill Street Blues and Hunter
      Clip begins at: 30:03, Duration: 00m 47s
  • Hunter
    • Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER and Hill Street Blues and Hunter
      Clip begins at: 30:03, Duration: 00m 47s
  • Jeffersons, The
    • Garrett Morris on appearing on the TV show, The Jeffersons
      Clip begins at: 29:02, Duration: 01m 01s
  • Roll Out!
    • Garrett Morris on his first TV appearance on Roll Out!
      Clip begins at: 23:47, Duration: 04m 13s
  • Saturday Night Live
    • Garrett Morris on working as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live
      Clip begins at: 28:46, Duration: 29m 00s
    • Garrett Morris on memories of working with Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 09m 08s
    • Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - "Chico Escuela", created by Bill Murray and Brian Doyle Murray
      Clip begins at: 09:08, Duration: 03m 20s
    • Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase
      Clip begins at: 12:28, Duration: 01m 04s
    • Garrett Morris on his Saturday Night Live characters and cast-mates
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 28m 55s

People

  • Ed Begley, Jr.
    • Garrett Morris on memories of Ed Begley Jr. of Roll Out!
      Clip begins at: 23:53, Duration: 04m 07s
  • Harry Belafonte
    • Garrett Morris on how he came to work with Harry Belafonte
      Clip begins at: 13:18, Duration: 02m 56s
  • 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
      Clip begins at: 12:28, Duration: 01m 04s
  • Larry Gelbart
    • Garrett Morris on his first TV appearance on Roll Out!
      Clip begins at: 23:47, Duration: 04m 13s
  • Sherman Hemsley
    • Garrett Morris on fond memories working with Sherman Hemsley, Michael Moye and Ron Levitt on The Jeffersons
      Clip begins at: 29:02, Duration: 01m 01s
  • Walter Matthau
    • Garrett Morris on Walter Matthau hosting Saturday Night Live
      Clip begins at: 21:31, Duration: 02m 09s
  • Lorne Michaels
    • Garrett Morris on working with Lorne Michaels and graduating from "The Not Ready for Primetime Players"
      Clip begins at: 16:14, Duration: 02m 10s
    • Garrett Morris on how Saturday Night Live was first described to him
      Clip begins at: 28:46, Duration: 05m 40s
    • Garrett Morris on memories of working with Lorne Michaels on Saturday Night Live
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 09m 08s
  • Bill Murray
    • Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - "Chico Escuela", created by Bill Murray and Brian Doyle Murray
      Clip begins at: 09:08, Duration: 03m 20s
  • Gene Reynolds
    • Garrett Morris on his first TV appearance on Roll Out !
      Clip begins at: 23:47, Duration: 04m 13s
  • Mel Stuart
    • Garrett Morris on working with Mel Stuart and Val Bisoglio on Roll Out!
      Clip begins at: 23:53, Duration: 04m 07s

Topics

  • Historic Events and Social Change > Diversity in Television
    • Garrett Morris on being the only black cast member on Saturday Night Live and other shows
      Clip begins at: 40:21, Duration: 06m 38s
    • Garrett Morris on the representation of minorities on cable TV versus network TV
      Clip begins at: 39:10, Duration: 05m 13s
  • Historic Events and Social Change > Diversity in Television > Minorities
    • Garrett Morris on being the only black cast member on Saturday Night Live and other shows
      Clip begins at: 40:21, Duration: 06m 38s
    • Garrett Morris on the representation of minorities on cable TV versus network TV
      Clip begins at: 39:10, Duration: 05m 13s
  • Pop Culture
    • Garrett Morris on his character "Wheels" on the TV show Roll Out!
      Clip begins at: 28:00, Duration: 00m 36s
    • Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 44:10, Duration: 01m 00s
    • Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 55:04, Duration: 00m 48s
    • Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - "Chico Escuela", created by Bill Murray and Brian Doyle Murray
      Clip begins at: 09:08, Duration: 03m 20s
    • Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase
      Clip begins at: 12:28, Duration: 01m 04s
    • Garrett Morris on impressions he did on Saturday Night Live
      Clip begins at: 13:32, Duration: 04m 56s
    • Garrett Morris on Jonathan Kite's character "Oleg" on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 16:31, Duration: 00m 32s
  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • Garrett Morris on his character "Wheels" on the TV show Roll Out!
      Clip begins at: 28:36
    • Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 44:10, Duration: 01m 00s
    • Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 55:04, Duration: 00m 48s
    • Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - "Chico Escuela", created by Bill Murray and Brian Doyle Murray
      Clip begins at: 09:08, Duration: 03m 20s
    • Garrett Morris on one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters - the news announcer for the hard of hearing, created by Chevy Chase
      Clip begins at: 12:28, Duration: 01m 04s
    • Garrett Morris on impressions he did on Saturday Night Live
      Clip begins at: 13:32, Duration: 04m 56s
    • Garrett Morris on Jonathan Kite's character "Oleg" on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 16:31, Duration: 00m 32s

Genres

  • Comedy Series
    • Garrett Morris on Kat Dennings' character on 2 Broke Girls
      Clip begins at: 55:04, Duration: 00m 48s
  • Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
    • Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER and Hill Street Blues and Hunter
      Clip begins at: 30:03, Duration: 00m 47s
  • Medical Dramas
    • Garrett Morris on his dramatic work including appearances on ER
      Clip begins at: 30:03, Duration: 00m 47s
  • Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
    • Garrett Morris on working as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live
      Clip begins at: 28:46, Duration: 29m 00s
    • 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
      Clip begins at: 12:28, Duration: 01m 04s
    • Garrett Morris on his Saturday Night Live characters and cast-mates
      Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 28m 55s

Professions

  • Performers > Actor
    • Garrett Morris on working as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live
      Clip begins at: 28:46, Duration: 29m 00s
    • Garrett Morris on advice he would give to aspiring actors
      Clip begins at: 54:29, Duration: 01m 34s
  • Writers & Show Creators > Writer
    • Garrett Morris on working as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live
      Clip begins at: 28:46, Duration: 29m 00s
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Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2012-08-07 02:23.

How do I get to see the Unlisted Part 2? I don't see a link...

Submitted by Adrienne Faillace on Fri, 2012-08-10 15:44.

Part 2 is available under the "INTERVIEW" tab. Just click on "CHAPTER 2" to view. Enjoy!

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2012-08-06 22:05.

I enjoyed watching your interview on garrett morris because he's one of those actors that just get's better with every performance. I do hope that the archive of american television will interview harry rodham, telma hopkins, cindy williams, penny marshall, karen valentine, denise nicholas, jeff franklin, richard dean anderson, linda evans, lee majors,annemarie horsford, keenan ivory wayans, dick cavett, lou ferrigno, martin millner, george mcharris, kent mccord, david hasselhoff. edward james olmos, malcolm jamal warner, frank gifford, saly struthers. dirk benedict , nancy dussault, valerie bertinelli, pamela sue martin. byron allen. johnny crawford barry williams, paul michael glaser.

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