Early Life and Education of Tracy Morgan: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Tracy Morgan. From birth to education, explore key events.

Tracy Morgan is an American stand-up comedian and actor known for his roles in popular television shows. He gained prominence as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2003. He further solidified his comedic presence playing Tracy Jordan in the NBC sitcom 30 Rock from 2006 to 2013, receiving a Primetime Emmy nomination for his performance. More recently, he starred as Tray Barker in the TBS comedy The Last O.G.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

November 10, 1968: Tracy Morgan's Birth

On November 10, 1968, Tracy Jamal Morgan was born. He later became a stand-up comedian and actor.

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1985: Father's HIV diagnosis

In 1985, during his senior year at DeWitt Clinton High School, Tracy Morgan learned that his father had contracted HIV from hypodermic needle use.

January 1987: Father's Death

In January 1987, Tracy Morgan's father passed away at the age of 38 after contracting HIV.

1987: Marriage to Sabina

In 1987, Tracy Morgan married his girlfriend Sabina while he was still in high school, beginning a significant chapter in his personal life.

1996: Diabetes Diagnosis

In 1996, Tracy Morgan was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, marking the beginning of his ongoing health challenges.

August 2009: Filed for Divorce

In August 2009, Tracy Morgan filed for divorce from his wife Sabina, after approximately eight years of separation. He also mentioned being estranged from his mother and most of his family in 2009.

October 20, 2009: Release of Autobiography

On October 20, 2009, Tracy Morgan's autobiography, I Am the New Black, was released, detailing his life from growing up in Brooklyn to becoming a cast member on Saturday Night Live. He also appeared on NPR's Fresh Air.

I Am the New Black

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2009: Reflection on early life

In 2009, Tracy Morgan reflected on his past, including selling crack cocaine and starting comedy after a friend's murder, expressing feelings of survival guilt.

December 2010: Received Kidney Donation

In December 2010, Tanisha Hall donated one of her kidneys to Tracy Morgan, providing a life-saving transplant.

December 2010: Kidney Transplant

In December 2010, Tracy Morgan underwent a kidney transplant necessitated by his diabetes and alcohol use.

June 3, 2011: Homophobic Remarks Controversy

On June 3, 2011, during a performance in Nashville, Tennessee, Tracy Morgan made controversial remarks about homosexuals, leading to widespread criticism and apologies from Morgan, NBC, and Tina Fey.

September 2011: Engagement Announcement

In September 2011, Tracy Morgan announced his engagement to model Megan Wollover, which occurred six months prior in San Francisco.

2012: Mother's Foreclosure and Family Issues

In 2012, Tracy Morgan's mother, Alicia Warden, faced foreclosure on her home in Youngstown, Ohio, after being laid off. She requested financial assistance from Morgan, who offered a one-time gift of $2,000, which she refused. Morgan stated he hadn't seen his mother in 11 years and preferred to keep family issues private.

July 2, 2013: Birth of Daughter

On July 2, 2013, Tracy Morgan and Megan Wollover welcomed their first child together, a daughter, born in New York City.

June 7, 2014: Involved in multi-vehicle crash

On June 7, 2014, Tracy Morgan was involved in a six-vehicle crash in New Jersey when the minibus he was in was struck by a Walmart tractor-trailer, resulting in the death of his friend James McNair.

June 20, 2014: Released from Hospital

On June 20, 2014, Tracy Morgan was released from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and transferred to a rehabilitation facility to continue recovering from injuries sustained in the June 7 crash.

July 10, 2014: Filed Negligence Suit Against Walmart

On July 10, 2014, Tracy Morgan filed a negligence lawsuit against Walmart, alleging that the company knew or should have known that the truck driver had not slept for over 24 hours before the June 7 crash.

July 12, 2014: Released from Rehab Center

On July 12, 2014, Tracy Morgan was released from the rehabilitation center, continuing his recovery from injuries sustained in the June 7 crash.

September 2014: Walmart Claimed Victims Not Wearing Seat Belts

In September 2014, Walmart cast partial blame on Tracy Morgan and other victims of the June 7 crash for not wearing seat belts, a claim that Morgan and his counsel denied.

October 2014: Undergoing Rehab

By October 2014, Tracy Morgan was still undergoing rehabilitation and required a wheelchair when taking more than "some steps" due to injuries from the June 7 crash.

2014: Hospital Visit After Traffic Accident

In 2014, shortly after Tracy Morgan's traffic accident, his mother reportedly attempted to visit him in the hospital but was initially turned away by security and his future wife. She was later allowed a brief five-minute visit while Morgan was still comatose.

May 27, 2015: Settled Lawsuit with Walmart

On May 27, 2015, Tracy Morgan settled his lawsuit with Walmart for a multi-million-dollar amount, estimated to be approximately $90 million US, resolving the legal battle following the June 7 crash.

June 1, 2015: First Public Appearance Since Crash

On June 1, 2015, Tracy Morgan made his first public appearance since the June 7 crash in an interview with Matt Lauer on Today, discussing his recovery and memory loss.

August 23, 2015: Marriage to Megan Wollover

On August 23, 2015, Tracy Morgan and Megan Wollover were married.

2015: Wollover Became Morgan's Wife

In 2015, Wollover, who previously turned away Morgan's mother from visiting him in the hospital in 2014, became Morgan's wife.

November 3, 2016: Forgiveness of Roper

On November 3, 2016, Tracy Morgan stated on Conan that he had forgiven Roper, the driver of the Walmart truck involved in the June 7 crash.

2017: Staying Alive Netflix standup special

In 2017, Tracy Morgan's Netflix standup special "Staying Alive" joked about Walmart and the lawsuit, while detailing his hospitalization, rehab and recovery from the June 2014 crash.

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June 2019: Minor Collision and Altercation

In June 2019, Tracy Morgan was involved in a minor collision while driving his newly purchased Bugatti Veyron. He was filmed yelling at the other driver, resulting in the driver feeling traumatized. A CBS News reporter tried to get a statement but was refused.

July 2020: Filed for divorce from Megan Wollover

In July 2020, Tracy Morgan filed for divorce from his wife, Megan Wollover.

August 2023: Disclosed Semaglutide Use

In August 2023, Tracy Morgan revealed that he was using semaglutide during an episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna.

2023: Discovery of Relation to Nas

In 2023, Tracy Morgan discovered that he is third cousins with American rapper Nas on an episode of Finding Your Roots.

March 2024: Comments on Ozempic

In March 2024, Tracy Morgan joked to Jimmy Fallon that he had "learned to out-eat Ozempic" and "gained 40 lbs," later clarifying that he was joking and that "Ozempic did great by me and I was glad to use it."

March 17, 2025: Food Poisoning Incident at NBA Game

On March 17, 2025, Tracy Morgan experienced an episode of food poisoning during an NBA game between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden, causing him to vomit on the court and suffer a bloody nose.