
Tracy Morgan Net Worth: How Much Does Saturday Night Live Star Make?
When you think about resilience, raw talent, and unapologetic humor, Tracy Morgan’s name is always up there with the greats. As of 2025, the Bronx-born comedian, actor, and writer has amassed a net worth of $70 million — a figure that’s as impressive as his journey to stardom. Best known for his time on Saturday Night Live and his hilarious turn as Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock, Morgan’s life has been a rollercoaster filled with highs, heartbreaking lows, and a whole lot of laughs in between.
From The Bronx to Bedford-Stuyvesant: A Tough Start
Born on November 10, 1968, in The Bronx, New York, Tracy Jamel Morgan, now 56 years old, had anything but a cushy upbringing. Raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Tompkins Houses, he grew up in a world where hardship was the norm. His father, Jimmy Morgan, a Vietnam vet and musician battling heroin addiction, left when Tracy was just six years old. The family’s financial struggles forced Tracy to mature quickly, and by his teenage years, he was juggling the realities of street life and family responsibility.
Things got even tougher when Tracy discovered in high school that his father had contracted AIDS. In 1987, just as Morgan was starting a new chapter as a young husband, his father passed away. He dropped out of school and briefly sold crack to support his new family — a dark but real chapter that Morgan has never shied away from discussing in interviews or his 2009 memoir, I Am the New Black.
The Spark of Comedy: A Friend’s Final Words
The turning point? A close friend saw Tracy’s natural comedic talent and encouraged him to pursue stand-up. Tragically, that same friend was murdered shortly after. Morgan took those words to heart and hit the streets of New York City, performing wherever he could. He hustled hard and, eventually, his sharp wit and magnetic energy earned him gigs at some of the city’s top comedy clubs.
Breaking into Hollywood: The Early Years
Morgan’s first big break came in 1994, playing the hilariously shady Hustle Man on the hit sitcom Martin. Even with limited screen time, Tracy’s character became a fan favorite, and his star began to rise. Two years later, in 1996, he landed what would become one of the most iconic gigs in comedy: joining the cast of Saturday Night Live.
For seven seasons (1996–2003), Tracy brought us unforgettable characters like Brian Fellows, the overconfident animal expert, and Astronaut Jones, the smooth-talking space explorer. He appeared in 137 episodes and eventually returned as host on two occasions, proving that his tenure at SNL left a lasting mark on fans and castmates alike.
30 Rock and Mainstream Stardom
If SNL put Tracy on the map, 30 Rock made him a household name. From 2006 to 2013, Morgan played Tracy Jordan, a wildly eccentric (and slightly exaggerated) version of himself on the Emmy-winning sitcom created by fellow SNL alum Tina Fey. The role was tailor-made for Morgan, and audiences loved watching him spar with Alec Baldwin’s Jack Donaghy and befriend Fey’s Liz Lemon.
The show ran for 138 episodes, and Tracy earned critical acclaim, including his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2009. During this time, he also kept busy with film roles, voice work in animated features like Rio and The Boxtrolls, and hosting the hidden camera show Scare Tactics.
The Accident That Almost Took It All Away
In June 2014, tragedy struck. After performing at a show, Tracy and several fellow comedians were involved in a devastating crash when a Walmart tractor-trailer rear-ended their minibus. Tracy’s longtime friend and mentor, James McNair, was killed, and Morgan himself sustained life-threatening injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, a broken leg, broken ribs, and a broken nose. He spent two weeks in a medically induced coma and faced a long, painful road to recovery.
For months, Tracy was confined to a wheelchair. He later shared that seeing his 14-month-old daughter, Maven, take her first steps motivated him to do the same. It was an emotional comeback moment — one that showcased Morgan’s resilience and deep love for his family.
The Walmart Settlement and Financial Comeback
Morgan filed a lawsuit against Walmart in 2014, and while the settlement figure remains confidential, rumors swirled that it could have been as high as $90 million. Tracy’s lawyer has publicly denied that number, but regardless of the exact amount, the settlement undoubtedly played a role in securing his financial stability.
But Tracy didn’t just sit back and relax — he came back swinging.
Return to the Spotlight
Tracy returned to SNL as host in 2015, delivering an emotional and hilarious monologue that had both the audience and his fellow castmates in tears. In 2018, he launched the critically acclaimed series The Last O.G. on TBS, where he plays Tray Barker, a reformed ex-con adjusting to life after prison. It was a fitting role, blending Tracy’s signature humor with heartfelt, real-life experiences.
He also returned to stand-up, releasing Tracy Morgan: Staying Alive on Netflix in 2017 — a brutally honest and funny special that tackled everything from his accident recovery to fame and fatherhood.
Life Offstage: Cars, Family, and Health Battles
Tracy’s personal life has had its ups and downs too. He was married to his high school sweetheart Sabina from 1987 until 2009, and together they had one son, Tracy Jr., while Morgan also adopted Sabina’s two other sons. Sadly, Sabina passed away from cancer in 2016.
Tracy later married model Megan Wollover in 2015, and they welcomed their daughter Maven in 2013. The couple filed for divorce in 2020 but remain committed to co-parenting. Tracy has also been open about his struggles with alcohol and was diagnosed with diabetes in 1996. In 2010, he underwent a kidney transplant — yet another hurdle that hasn’t slowed him down.
Oh, and let’s not forget his love for luxury rides. Morgan made headlines in 2019 after crashing his $2 million Bugatti — just minutes after driving it off the lot. Classic Tracy.
Honors and Legacy
Over the years, Tracy has been nominated for numerous awards, including multiple NAACP Image Awards, Black Reel Awards, and Primetime Emmys. In 2018, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — a moment he described as “surreal” given where he started. And in 2022, The New York Friars Club honored him with the Entertainment Icon Award, making him the first Black recipient of the prestigious accolade.
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