On Thursday, Tracy Morgan was nominated for just the second Emmy Award of his television and comedy career. His previous nomination came in 2009 for his role as Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock, and it’s hard to believe that his absurd performances never won him the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy during the show’s seven-season run. His latest Emmy nomination is for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, honoring his return as host of Saturday Night Live on Oct. 17, 2015, and everything about it is bittersweet for the comedian, who almost lost his life two years ago.
Following the accident that took the life of his friend and fellow comedian, James “Jimmy Mack” McNair, Morgan spent considerable time recovering from a traumatic-brain injury and broken leg, among other injuries. He eventually made his return to television for an interview with Matt Lauer almost one year after the accident, before surprising even Tina Fey with an Emmy Awards appearance three months later. Finally, he capped his comeback by taking the stage at Studio 8H to make his fans and friends laugh again. It’s because of that adversity and dedication to recovery that Morgan is so elated over this honor.
“I am just so happy and want to share this with so many people and am nominated with some extraordinary company. I love you guys,” the comedian said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
“I just want to thank everyone who helped me and my family after that horrific night and the months after,” he went on. “Lorne [Michaels] and everyone at SNL for having me come home. The doctors at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital who saved my life. The staff at JFK Medical Center who got me back on my feet. The first responders who helped me and my friends that fateful night. My amazing wife and kids. Lira, who helped my wife. My father, who is looking down on me right now.” (Via Entertainment Weekly)
Morgan told EW that he feels “like Cuba at the end of Jerry Maguire,” which is much happier than Cuba at the end of Snow Dogs or Boat Trip. Additionally, Morgan told the New York Times that SNL creator Lorne Michaels played an important role in the comic’s recovery, calling his wife “a million times” after the accident to check on his status. When Morgan finally knew that he was up to the task of returning “home,” Michaels told him the “door’s always open.”
As for whether he’ll win, Morgan legitimately believes the old cliché: “It’s an honor just to be nominated.”
You know, people don’t come back from an accident like that and host Saturday Night Live 14 months later. Most people that suffer the injuries we suffered are in vegetative states. I’m very happy to be alive to see my daughter and my sons grow up. I’m just happy to here. And for all the comedy gods that came before me, starting with Richard Pryor, Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball, Lenny Bruce, Flip Wilson, Bernie Mac, Robin Williams, Robin Harris, Joan Rivers. All of them. [begins to cry] I love you. Please guide us and protect us. As long as I do comedy in the spirit of them, I know I’m protected. For me it is glorious. [crying] Thank you. (Via New York Times)
But should Morgan win that Emmy – and what an emotional moment that would be – we can only hope that he’ll flash a little glimpse of Tracy Jordan in the process.