Tracy Morgan talks near-fatal accident, Netflix special
Comedian and 'Saturday Night Live' star says joking about tragedy can be therapeutic
Tracy Morgan launched a new Netflix special titled “Staying Alive” where he tackled the challenges of his June 2014 near-fatal accident with humor.
“I just decided I wanted to get it out of the way, so we can have a good time and laugh because this isn’t the only thing that has happened in my life,” explained the “30 Rock” star to Fox News.
TRACY MORGAN TALKS NEAR-FATAL ACCIDENT
“It’s one of the tragic things that happened in my life, but it’s not the only tragic thing to have happened in my life," he added. "And other things have happened that were joyous and I wanted to make fun of those things too. So, I wanted to get that out of the way so everyone could know it’s cool to let their hair down and have a good time. That was important to me.”
Morgan was severely injured when a Walmart truck hit a van carrying him and fellow comic James McNair, who died in the accident. Morgan was in a coma for eight days and contemplated suicide at the time.
Morgan said that filming the special was therapeutic.
TRACY MORGAN CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE AFTER FATAL ACCIDENT
“Sure because if you don’t laugh about it, you’re going to cry about it. And I was just done crying,” he said. “I wanted it to be funny. Had other folks help me facilitate on it and we came up with a product that Netflix is going to dig.”
He also added that offering the special to Netflix was an easy choice to make.
“Not only were they right there, but they gave me the freedom to express myself on stage. And it’s a good thing and I’m glad I partnered up with Netflix and I hope I get to do it again.”
These days, Morgan is in a better place. He reportedly pocketed $90 million from Walmart when they settled their lawsuit in 2014. After therapy, Morgan married fiancée Megan Wollover in 2015. That same year, he returned to performing for the first time when he hosted “Saturday Night Live.”
“…I was in an accident for a reason, the marriage, the baby, everything for a reason,” said Morgan. “Because it brought out something… out of darkness must come the light. Out of the darkness comes the light if you believe.”