The long, prolific but doubtlessly personally frustrating career of Garrett Morris offers some sobering lessons about the often problematic position of the African American character player in mainstream entertainment. As one of the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players during the glory days of NBC's landmark youth-oriented comedy-variety series, "Saturday Night Live" (1975-80), Morris found fame and fortune but little respect. His on-air antics were deemed demeaning and stereotypical by many members of the black community. Eddie Murphy, his celebrated "SNL" successor turned superstar, has
Raised in New Orleans by his Baptist minister grandfather
1942
Began singing at age five (date approximate)
Sang with the church choir
1958
Entered a music competition with the National Association of Negro Musicians; while traveling with the group back to New Orleans, got off the bus in NYC; found housing at the Harlem YMCA; became involved in the Harlem YMCA Drama Club where Cicely Tyson, Clarence Williams III, Isabel Sanford, Godfrey Cambridge and Diana Sands were also participants
Became a soloist with Harry Belafonte; remained with the Harry Belafonte Singers for ten years
