Garrett Morris made history 21 years before portraying Uncle Junior on The Jamie Foxx Show
Imagine working with an actor who paved the way for a generation of Black comics and entertainers. Young people probably know Garrett Morris as Uncle Junior on the hilarious sitcom The Jamie Foxx Show. However, his extensive resume shows that he excelled in the industry decades before his television journey to the King's Tower.
A comedian and singer, he made history as the first black cast member (and an original member) on Saturday Night Live. His journey was not without its challenges, as he often found himself cast in stereotypical roles. Morris candidly spoke about his experiences in the book Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live.
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For example, his most well-known character in the series was a Dominican baseball player named Chico Escuela. Chico spoke "broken" English, and jokes revolved around him responding to almost every question with the catchphrase: "Baseball... been berra berra good... to me."
Garrett Morris's talent was not fully appreciated during his time on SNL. His abilities ranged from singing to creative writing, and he even received training at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music. His five-year tenure on the show could have been filled with non-stereotypical skits that would have showcased his versatility and talent.
However, on The Jamie Foxx Show, everyone loved Uncle Junior, the "get rich quick" scheming hotel owner. Morris's character was the relative almost every Black family had, or at least knew someone like him.
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