Two years ago Tracy Morgan was a passenger in a horrific car accident that claimed the life of his comedy mentor Jimmy McNair. Tracy spent two weeks in a coma, suffering severe brain trauma in addition to several broken bones. It was not expected for Tracy to survive, let alone live outside of a semi-vegetative state. But Tracy has made a remarkable recovery and been able to return to his comedic career. In June 2015, Tracy told Matt Lauer he couldn’t wait to return to comedy but he wasn’t well enough yet, adding, “I’ll get back to making you laugh. I promise you.” Making good on his promise and then some, last Saturday Tracy performed a show for the staff of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital who saved his life.
Tracy Morgan took the stage on Saturday night for a very special show. He performed for the doctors and nurses who cared for him following a serious accident in 2014.
“Last night was one of the most special nights of my life,” Morgan told People magazine. “To be standing on stage with the people that saved my life in the audience was an overwhelming experience. I will never fully be able to thank the doctors, nurses, first responders and everyone else that got me back on that stage enough.”
In June 2014, a tractor-trailer collided with Morgan’s minibus on the New Jersey Turnpike. The crash killed Morgan’s friend, 62-year-old comedian James McNair.
Morgan, who was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick by helicopter, suffered a serious brain injury and several broken bones. He was in a coma for about two weeks.On Saturday, the “30 Rock” actor performed a concert at the State Theatre, located just 2 miles away from the hospital.
“These people are heroes and I love them all from the bottom of my heart,” Morgan said about the medical professionals gathered at the event. “The only good thing that happened on that horrible night was that I was close to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital when the accident happened. God bless them all.”
Morgan has previously shared his gratitude to the staff of the hospital. In an emotional interview with Matt Lauer on “TODAY” last year, Morgan said he owed his survival and recovery to them.
“When I first came out of the coma, I was a mess,” Morgan said. “I would curse out every day, I’d throw things at [my nurse], and the only thing she’d say me was everything was going to be all right.”
A very long time ago, I almost lost a relative who was far too young to die. We were camped in the ICU from his coma until the time he was able breath on his own. I could still list each of those doctors and nurses names; you just cannot put words to your gratitude to these people. Especially given Tracy’s last quote about cursing them out. The grace they show under fire from a belligerent patient should make them eligible for canonization.
All proceeds from Tracy’s show were donated to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. At the end of his show, Tracy asked for the house lights to be turned on and that everyone who helped save his life share in his standing ovation. Tracy told Oprah last year, “My sense of humor was my gift that he gave me to survive all the hardships of my life. And I just feel like this: If I can make you laugh and forget about the things that you’re going through for a minute, then, you know, I love that. If I couldn’t do that anymore, I don’t know if I would want to live.” Making it all the more touching that Tracy gave the thing he lives for to those who helped him live.
.@RealTracyMorgan puts on emotional special performance for doctors, nurses who treated him https://t.co/pCcctaIRWR pic.twitter.com/lJlqdbNTDZ
— People Magazine (@people) April 17, 2016
Photo credit Twitter, WENN Photos and Getty Images
Amazing. Truly amazing.
When my dad was dying I was camped out at the ICU and I don’t know what I would have done without the staff. One of the nurses remains a really good friend, and we cheer on each other’s exploits through Facebook. Health professionals are my heros. So cool of Tracy to do this for them, and to recognise what is often ignored and what is, in the end, their day to day, so publicly. 😀
Awe I worked there in college, amazing place!
His recovery really is amazing. I love that he is so appreciative of everything the medical team did for him.
What an elegant way for him to show his gratitude. Thanks for the early morning smile.
Got the shivers. So happy he made it, so humble and kind. Medical teams never seem to get the credit they deserve. When my father passed away, the doctor personally called me and gave his condolences and said he did everything he could. I know he did and I will never forget that call.
Yeah, I got the goosebumps then I got teary-eyed. Good for him for appreciating what they did and giving back.
My mom will always remember that my gram’s oncologist was crying when he delivered the news her latest bout was terminal.
What a kind gesture. I’m glad he’s able to perform again, I liked what he said about loving the fact that he can help make people forget their troubles for a bit.
And I’m right with everyone else and their awe and appreciation of nurses and other medical professionals. We had an amazing team when my son was hospitalized a couple years ago, I’ll never forget them.
That is so sweet. It’s such a miracle he’s alive. Glad he’s doing well.
I live in a community that has a school of nursing – I swear half of my friends are nurses at this point. The amount of abuse they take – and keep on taking – is UNREAL. It’s an incredibly dangerous job at times – and this isn’t even a big city at all. Some people are just assholes – some just are so confused that they don’t realize that they’re acting inappropriately. They know that a lot of patients can’t help it – they’re suffering and lashing out, or they have dementia, or whatever the case. And at the end of the day, they’re there to help them whenever they need it. I honestly don’t think I could handle it emotionally.
I’m so glad Tracy pulled through – I remember being super upset over the accident – he’s had a long recovery, and still probably struggles at times. But at the end of the day, he’s making sure to thank the people that took care of him and gave him the opportunity to keep performing. And that’s so amazing of him. He didn’t HAVE to, but he valued them as he should, and really wanted to pay something back.
This is a sweet story. Congrats on his recovery! It is truly remarkable.
Aw, that was a heartwarming story.
I watched his story on Oprah I was so impressed with his near death experience and am so thankful he is back to making us laugh and “finish his work” love him even more now
I needed all the tissue for that episode! I love how grateful and gracious he is about life.
I love Tracy! So glad he recovered and is still doing comedy.
I have tears running down my face. It’s rare to see a celebrity so humbled and grateful. He fought a long, tough battle. I’m glad he gave credit to all those hard working nurses. doctors and staff. That was sweet.
UGHHHHHHHHHHHH I’m so ready to cry, I hate crying but every time i see that dude now is a Feels attack
TM always makes me laugh, but right now tears in the eyes. That crash was awful, and it is a miracle that TM is still here and doing so well. Those medical professinals are awesome. At least once a day at work, I look at a nurse and think “That was so amazing”. Kudos to any of our posters who are in the healthcare field.
Ardie Fuqua is nearly always unmentioned in any news of this crash. He was terribly hurt and in a coma for a long time. I wish he was recognised as a victim of the crash as well, but I never see his name.
Doctors are great and everything, but nurses man…..nurses are the real angels.
I am so happy for once that the gratitude is aimed at the medical professionals rather than a vague thanks to God and/or proclamation of a miracle. I hate when people diminish the role of modern medicine in favor of a trite “thanks be to God”.
+1!
Good for him! He seems like a really decent guy.
Nice post about a nice story, Hecate. Thanks.
As a surgical nurse at a big city hospital, this is an awesome story to read. Props to Tracy Morgan for not only having the strength and courage to not give up, but to also recognize all of the hard-working medical/nursing staff that helped him through. Sometimes patients are awake enough at the end of their surgery to tell our team “thank-you” and while it isn’t necessary, it’s a nice reminder of why we do what we do. 😊