Garrett Morris Biography

Fast Facts

• Raised by his grandfather, a Southern Baptist minister; started singing in the church choir at age 5
• Sang as a soloist with the Harry Belafonte Singers from 1958 to 1968
• Was drafted into the Army in 1961 and served an 18-month stint as an X-ray technician
• Was the first African-American cast member of Saturday Night Live, from 1975 to 1980
• Suffered a near-fatal gunshot wound when he was the victim of a botched robbery in 1994
• Received an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Supporting Male for the 2001 film Jackpot