Tucked away in the soulful heart of New Orleans, Garrett Morris’s home feels like stepping into a living jazz melody. Warm brass tones, vintage charm, and the easy rhythm of laughter drifting through the halls. Today, we’ll step inside this southern gem to explore his elegant home, classic lifestyle, and the legacy of a true comedy pioneer.

And to truly understand how he built this empire, we need to go back to where it all began, his childhood and the journey that shaped his career. Garrett Isaac Morris’s story begins in the soulful streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, a city that lives and breathes rhythm, pain, and laughter. Born on February 1st, 1937, his life began under heartbreaking circumstances.

His mother was just 16 and in a 2014 interview with CBS News, Morris revealed that she became pregnant as a result of rape. That early trauma would have destroyed many, but for Garrett, it became the fire that fueled his artistry. Raised by his grandfather, a Methodist preacher, he grew up surrounded by gospel music, sermons, and the comforting hum of choirs.

But even in that sanctified space, Garrett found himself drawn to something deeper, the blues. I was singing gospel and blues when I was four or 5 years old, he once said, “They’re two sides of the same soul.” Gifted with a powerful voice and an instinct for rhythm, Garrett attended Dillard University and later the prestigious Giuliard School of Music, graduating in 1958.

His early years were spent honing his craft not in comedy but in music. He performed with the Harry Bellfonte singers in the late 1950s, traveling through New York’s jazz clubs, where his mix of spirituals and blues made him stand out. By the mid 1960s, he had joined Harlem’s Black Theater School of the Arts, a creative sanctuary and political lightning rod that was frequently raided by police and the FBI.

It was there that Garrett discovered another gift, acting. The stage became both his refuge and his weapon, a place where he could transform pain into art. His screen journey began quietly. In 1960, he appeared on CBS Repertoire Workshop, then landed a guest role on General Hospital in 1963. His big screen debut came a decade later in Where’s Papa? 1970, followed by The Anderson Tapes, 1971.

Yet, it was 1975 that changed everything when NBC took a risk on a bold new sketch show called Saturday Night Live. Garrett became one of the original not ready for prime time players. And with that, the first black cast member in SNL history. On SNL, Morris turned stereotypes on their head. He was Chico Esquea, the Dominican baseball player whose line, “Baseball been very berry good to me,” became a national catchphrase.

He brought life to Grant Robinson Jr. in the nerds sketches and even portrayed Merkan the cone head. Beyond comedy, he used the platform to embody icons like Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr., Richard Prior, James Brown, and Tina Turner. Always with reverence, wit, and soul. Garrett wasn’t just performing. He was opening doors for the next generation of black comedians.

The 1980s kept him busy with both TV and film. He appeared in How to Beat the High Cost of Living 1980, Critical Condition, 1987, and The Underachievers, 1987. While making memorable guest appearances in shows like Different Strokes, The Jeffersons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hunter, his character, Sporty James, in Hunter became a fan favorite, showing that even in drama, his presence commanded attention.

By the 1990s, Morris had evolved into one of television’s most familiar faces. He brought warmth and humor to shows like Martin Rock and The Jamie Fox Show where he appeared in over 100 episodes as Uncle Junior King, a role that perfectly blended wisdom, mischief, and love. He became part of the fabric of black sitcom history, often portraying the older, wiser man who had seen it all.

Because in many ways, he truly had. The 2000s and beyond proved Garrett’s resilience. He continued to act in films like Jackpot 2001, Who’s Your Caddy, 2007, and The Long Shots, 2008, alongside Ice Cube and Kiki Palmer. His television comeback came in Two Broke Girls 2011 to 2017, where he portrayed Earl Washington, the jazzloving cashier with a lifetime of stories.

Even as he entered his 80s, Garrett showed up everywhere from Shameless and This Is Us to a Black Lady sketch show and Station 19. In 2015, he appeared in Ant-Man, a full circle moment that connected comedy, film, and a nod to his 1970s charm. Then, in 2024, Hollywood finally gave him the honor he long deserved, his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Through it all, Garrett Morris remained loyal to the city that shaped him. His voice, humor, and rhythm all trace back to the streets of New Orleans, where gospel met blues and struggle met art. And today, that same spirit still lives within the walls of his southern sanctuary. New Orleans home, where jazz meets peace.

Nestled in one of New Orleans most walkable and charming neighborhoods, Garrett Morris’s former 2,431q ft residence perfectly captures the city’s poetic balance between history, soul, and serenity. A brick walkway leads to floor toseeiling windows that reflect the golden Louisiana light, while the elegant black front door opens into a space that feels both timeless and personal, like a song composed in wood and light.

Inside, the living room welcomes you with polished hardwood floors, 12t ceilings, and a decorative fireplace that anchors the space with warmth and tradition. It’s easy to imagine Garrett, an artist molded by gospel choirs and jazz clubs, sitting here in the evenings, the sound of a trumpet from a nearby cafe floating through the windows.

The open flowing floor plan encourages connection, laughter, and late night storytelling, hallmarks of New Orleans living. The kitchen continues the home’s understated luxury with sleek stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and an inviting island at its heart. A small breakfast nook sits to one side, perfect for quiet mornings or impromptu jam sessions over coffee.

There’s an effortless sense of charm here, where modern touches never overshadow the home’s classic character. The master suite offers a tranquil retreat. Sunlight filters through graceful French windows that open to the backyard, where a canopy of trees sways to the rhythm of the breeze. The large walk-in closet is designed with practicality and personalization in mind, offering plenty of space for the kind of wardrobe that spans both Hollywood premieres and casual evenings on Magazine Street.

Upstairs, two additional bedrooms and a beautifully updated bathroom with double sinks provide comfort for family or guests, maintaining that sense of warmth and hospitality New Orleans homes are known for. Step outside and the home continues to enchant. The screened inside porch is made for long summer nights, laughter shared over music, and the clinking of glasses under soft lamplight.

The backyard, lush and private, feels like a hidden sanctuary, perfect for quiet reflection or a casual get together with fellow artists and friends. It’s not just a house. It’s a living expression of the city’s rhythm where jazz meets peace and the energy of life finds room to rest. The home’s location adds another layer of perfection.

Just steps away are local favorites like AO, Reginelli’s, Starbucks, and Whole Foods with the greenery of Ottabon Park just a short stroll away. It’s an area where the day begins with the scent of Magnolia in the air and ends with live jazz from a nearby bar, a cityscape that mirrors Garrett’s own duality, grounded yet forever in motion.

But as his career flourished, Garrett’s creative world expanded beyond Louisiana. Fame, television, and new opportunities drew him west toward the lights and laughter of Hollywood. House in Burbank, Los Angeles. In 1999, Garrett Morris quietly bought a modest 1,38 square ft home in the relaxed Burbank neighborhood of Los Angeles for nearly $500,000.

After decades of non-stop work in television and film, Morris transformed this charming three-bedroom, two-b property into his personal sanctuary, a retreat where vintage warmth meets modern ease. Tucked behind blooming flowers and a softly illuminated walkway, the exterior gives off an immediate sense of calm.

Step inside and you’re welcomed by an open, airy living space that feels both classic and fresh. Sunlight pours in through wide windows bouncing off polished hardwood floors and smooth cream colored walls. The living room, though simple, radiates warmth, the kind of space where laughter feels natural and every corner holds a memory.

Just beyond it, the family room becomes the heart of the home, complete with a wood burning fireplace and a skylight that fills the space with golden California light. The kitchen, modern, bright, and beautifully updated, reflects Morris’s appreciation for the simple joys of daily life. Outfitted with stainless steel appliances, a central island, and a sleek breakfast bar, it’s both practical and inviting.

Whether he’s preparing a meal for friends or just enjoying a quiet solo dinner, every design choice here speaks of balance, not luxury for the sake of appearance, but thoughtful comfort earned through years of hard work. Each bathroom has been carefully upgraded, blending clean, contemporary lines with subtle elegance. The master suite offers a sense of escape, spacious yet grounded with soft lighting and calm tones.

It’s easy to imagine Morris here winding down with music, writing notes for his next role, or simply enjoying the rare stillness that Hollywood seldom allows. Outside, the backyard unfolds like a private green retreat. Lush landscaping surrounds a covered patio where a small table and string lights make the perfect setting for relaxed California evenings.

There’s space for laughter, conversation, or quiet solitude. Whatever the day calls for, the yard feels both livedin and lovingly maintained, reflecting the same enduring energy that defines Morris himself. Additional touches from the newer paved driveway and automatic lighting to the doublepaneed windows, skylights, and modernized garage doors highlight how this home has evolved with time while keeping its soul intact.

It’s not the biggest house in Los Angeles, but perhaps one of the most sincere. A place where every detail tells a story of resilience, humor, and gratitude. In this Burbank home, Garrett Morris lives life quietly but fully, grounded, content, and surrounded by the comfort of everything he’s built through decades of artistry and perseverance.

And when it comes to the rewards of that long journey, there’s more to uncover. Let’s take a look at Garrett Morris’s net worth and the legacy he’s built through his remarkable career. income and net worth. Today, his estimated net worth sits comfortably around $2 million, a reflection not of overnight fame, but of steady, hard-earned success in an industry that rarely offers stability.

Garrett first gained national recognition as one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live, joining the show’s groundbreaking lineup in 1975. At the time, SNL was still an experiment, a late night sketch comedy trying to find its rhythm. Morris became a household name through his sharp timing, musical flare, and unforgettable impressions.

Though the pay in those early years was modest by today’s standards, reportedly around $15,000 to $25,000 per season, plus small residuals, it gave him the platform that would define his career and open countless doors. After leaving SNL in 1980, Morris cemented his presence on television with a string of memorable roles that would keep him working steadily for decades.

He appeared as Stan Winters on Martin 1992 to 1995, bringing charm and streetwise wit to the beloved sitcom. He then portrayed Uncle Junior King on the Jamie Fox show 1996 to 2001, where his comedic chemistry with Jaime Fox turned him into a fan favorite. Later, he found a new generation of admirers as Earl Washington on Two Broke Girls, 2011 to 2017.

These roles, which paid an estimated $10,000 to $20,000 per episode in later years, provided consistent income and reaffirmed his timeless comedic value. Collectively, these television appearances earned him between $500,000 and $700,000 over the years, the core of his financial foundation. Morris also appeared in several films, adding another layer to his income stream.

His performances in High 1975, The Anderson Tapes, 1971, and later in Marvel’s Ant-Man 2015, and Ant-Man and the Wasp 2018 showed his range and durability as a performer. Though typically in supporting roles, these appearances came with respectable paychecks, averaging $50,000 to $100,000 per film, plus residuals from streaming and cable reruns.

Before his comedy fame, Morris was already an accomplished singer and musician. Trained at Giuliard, he performed with Harry Bellfonte’s folk singers and worked across blues and gospel circuits throughout the 1950s and60s. While the music side of his career brought in roughly $50,000 at its height, its real value was artistic, shaping the rhythm and timing that became central to his comedic craft.

Morris also found success as an entrepreneur. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he co-owned Garrett Morris’s Downtown Blues and Comedy Club in Los Angeles, a venue that became a cultural staple for local talent, established comedians, and touring musicians alike. The club not only generated an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 in profit during its run, but also served as a creative hub where Morris could mentor upand cominging performers.

His financial story mirrors his artistic one, not driven by excess, but by persistence, authenticity, and a refusal to fade away. His modest lifestyle in Los Angeles and the jazz tinged soul of his New Orleans roots both reflect a man who values meaning over money. And just as he’s used laughter to inspire millions, Morris has also used his success to give back, turning his blessings into opportunities for others.

Philanthropy. Before comedy ever entered the picture, Morris taught English and drama in New York City’s public schools. That experience stayed with him for life. He has long been an advocate for equal access to education in underserved communities, often lending his time to youth mentorship programs and speaking engagements.

Over the years, he has supported community-based learning initiatives such as the Los Angeles Education Partnership and Inner City Arts, which focus on empowering underprivileged children through creative education. As an artist trained at Giuliard and a lifelong lover of blues and theater, Morris understands how powerful the arts can be in transforming lives.

He has been active in promoting arts education and diversity in entertainment, often collaborating with nonprofit groups like the Actors Fund, Black Theater Network, and LA Stage Alliance to encourage inclusion for aspiring black performers. His own comedy club, Garrett Morris’s Downtown Blues and Comedy Club, wasn’t just a venue.

It was a training ground for rising comedians, musicians, and writers who needed a stage and a mentor who believed in them. Morris’s advocacy for civil rights began long before fame. In the 1960s, he participated in the Congress of Racial Equality, CORE, joining marches and using performance as a tool for protest and healing.

Decades later, he continues to support organizations like the NACP and the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital Foundation, contributing to projects that strengthen health care and justice access in black neighborhoods. In 2007, the mayor of Los Angeles honored him for his ongoing service to the city’s black community.

A recognition that reflected not just his fame, but his decades of quiet, consistent activism through teaching, mentoring, and performing. Garrett Morris has built a legacy rooted in service. He may be known for making people laugh, but his deeper calling has always been to empower others to rise, especially those who start where he once did with talent, grit, and a dream.

Next, let’s take a closer look at Garrett Morris’s personal life, the man behind the comedy, and the strength that kept him grounded through every era of his remarkable journey. Personal life. Garrett married a former dancer named Freda on September 20th, 1996. The couple shared several years together before separating in 2002, and Morris officially filed for divorce in 2008.

Despite his private nature, those close to him described the relationship as one marked by mutual respect and friendship, even after their separation. But one of the darkest moments in Morris’s life came long before that. In 1994, while standing outside a Los Angeles nightclub, he was shot during a botched robbery in South Central LA.

The bullet lodged dangerously close to his spine. His friend, Bobby Lee Roden, rushed him to Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital, where doctors found that he had no visible blood pressure. He was on the brink of death. Emergency surgery saved his life, but recovery was grueling. Over eight surgeries followed in the years ahead.

True to his resilient nature, Morris didn’t let the injury stop him. He filmed scenes for the sitcom Martin from his hospital bed, even while his body was still healing. The attack left him with permanent pain, but not bitterness. Decades later, he reflected on the experience with Grace, sharing on the WTF with Mark podcast in 2016 that the man who shot him was caught, convicted, and even beaten by other inmates who were fans of his work.

Garrett’s resilience didn’t just inspire audiences, it earned him respect from his city. On February 9th, 2007, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Varigosa officially declared the day Garrett Morris Day, honoring his decades of contributions to the black community and to the city’s cultural landscape. His comedy club, co-owned with Kevin Garnier, was named the official comedy club of Los Angeles, later rebranded as Garrett Morris’s Downtown Comedy and Blues Club.

However, Morris’s career was not without controversy, particularly his time on Saturday Night Live. As one of the few black cast members in the 1970s, he endured racism and systemic exclusion behind the scenes. Originally hired as a writer, he was eventually moved to the cast, but given limited creative control. Many of his roles reinforced racial stereotypes from demeaning prisoner characters to exaggerated caricatures, while more complex material was often denied to him.

In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, Morris revealed that producer Lauren Michaels once refused to let him play a doctor in a sketch, claiming that audiences might be turned off by a black doctor. Morris called that moment a defining reminder of how far television still had to go. Authors Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad in their book Saturday Night 2019 later described Morris’s treatment on the show as cruel at best, racist at worst, capturing how his talent was often overshadowed by the network’s own prejudices.

Still, Garrett’s time on SNL broke barriers. He became a cultural icon, paving the way for future black comedians like Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Keenan Thompson. But while his career shown, his private life battled darker forces. In a candid 2024 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Morris opened up about his 40-year struggle with cocaine addiction, which began in the 1960s while he worked at the Black Arts Reparatory Theater/School in Harlem.

The FBI’s frequent raids, racial harassment, and artistic pressure fueled his drug use, something he later admitted nearly destroyed his career. “I was a cocaine addict who made a lot of bad choices,” he confessed, crediting faith, and mentorship for pulling him out of the cycle. “Through trauma, racism, and addiction, Garrett Morris emerged not just as a survivor, but as a living testament to endurance.

He turned his scars into stories, his pain into art, and his setbacks into fuel for reinvention. If you enjoyed this video and want to keep discovering more stories of remarkable lives like his, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Thank you for watching this video and see you in the next videos. Goodbye.