Lamorne Morris has achieved a remarkable milestone in his career. He now portrays his childhood idol, Garrett Morris, in the new film “Saturday Night.” This film explores the early days of the iconic show “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), which debuted in 1975. Garrett Morris was the first Black cast member of the show. The movie not only celebrates his contributions but also sheds light on the challenges he faced as a pioneer in comedy.
A Dream Come True for Lamorne Morris
Growing up, Lamorne was inspired by Garrett’s performances. He admired Garrett as Martin’s boss on “Martin” and as Uncle Junior on “The Jamie Foxx Show.” As a child, Lamorne even told his friends that Garrett was his father. This deep admiration motivated Lamorne to pursue a career in comedy. He began his journey at Second City in Chicago, a training ground for many SNL stars. There, he discovered that Garrett was one of the original cast members of SNL.
“I auditioned for ‘SNL’ and did not get it,” Lamorne recalls. “But here we are full circle.” This connection between Lamorne and Garrett showcases the incredible path Lamorne has taken. Now, he plays the man he once looked up to, blending admiration with a sense of responsibility.
The Role and Its Challenges
Playing Garrett Morris was not without its challenges. Lamorne felt pressure to accurately represent a living legend. “At first, I was uneasy playing somebody who is alive and can judge you,” he shared. However, he drew from his previous experience portraying Keith Knight in the Hulu series “Woke,” where Knight was involved in the creative process. Although Garrett was not part of this film, he encouraged Lamorne to stay true to the story.
“Garrett said, ‘All I care about is you showing the audience I didn’t give up, that I worked my butt off, and I tried,’” Lamorne recalled. Garrett’s words inspired Lamorne to convey the struggles and triumphs of a man who broke ground for future Black comedians.
Behind the Scenes of “Saturday Night”
“Saturday Night,” directed by Jason Reitman, focuses on the chaos that surrounded the show’s debut. The film captures the pressure and uncertainty faced by Garrett and the entire SNL team. Lamorne noted that Garrett felt like a “fish out of water” just before the show began. “We’re 90 minutes from showtime, and he doesn’t even know what his place is on the show,” he explained.
To portray this accurately, Lamorne pulled from his own experiences in comedy. He said, “People sometimes would identify you as, ‘Oh, yeah, the Black dude.’” This shared experience allowed him to connect with Garrett’s journey. With Reitman’s guidance, Lamorne was able to portray the essence of Garrett’s feelings on that pivotal day.
Researching a Legend’s Life
For Lamorne, preparing for this role went beyond just understanding Garrett’s time on SNL. He realized the importance of exploring Garrett’s life and experiences. “You book a movie like this, and you have to do your research,” Lamorne emphasized. Through conversations with Garrett, he learned about the Civil Rights Movement and Garrett’s efforts to desegregate unions.
Garrett’s story is one of perseverance. He faced numerous challenges but remained committed to his craft. Lamorne believes there should be a dedicated movie about Garrett’s life to fully capture his impact on comedy and culture.
