Last summer, Tracy Morgan revealed on the Today show that he had lost weight from using Ozempic. He’d even adopted a new, healthier lifestyle by also going to the gym every morning. According to Tracy, Ozempic had “cut [his] appetite in half.” Earlier this week, Tracy stopped by The Tonight Show. Jimmy Fallon complimented his appearance, and in return, Tracy shared that after his weight loss last summer, he’d learned to “out eat” Ozempic, which caused him to gain 40 lbs.
Tracy Morgan says he has gained 40 lbs. on Ozempic. On Tuesday, the Primetime Emmy nominee, 55, stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where the two discussed his dating life, the New York Knicks and his relation to Nas. As soon as Morgan sat down on stage, he received a compliment from the late-night talk show host, 49.
“You look good, bud,” Fallon told his guest. “You look great. How you staying in shape these days?”
“Well, that’s Ozempic,” Morgan said, referring to the type 2 diabetes drug, which has skyrocketed in popularity for weight loss, especially among celebrities.
After a brief reaction from Fallon, the Saturday Night Live alum shared his recent experience with the medication.
“I’ve learned to out-eat Ozempic. I out-ate Ozempic. I’ve gained 40 pounds,” Morgan said jokingly during the interview.
“I’ve never heard of anyone gaining 40,” Fallon replied.
Before moving to the next topic, the 30 Rock alum quipped, “I’m like Magic Johnson. I gained 40 pounds.”
While Morgan did not specify whether he is still taking the medication, some people do gain weight after stopping the drug. A study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in April 2022 found that a majority of people who take semaglutide gain most of the weight back within a year of stopping the medication.
The actor and comedian first revealed he was using Ozempic during an August 2023 episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna. When Kotb, 59, told The Last O.G. talent that he seemed to have been working on his body and his health, Morgan explained how he’d really been maintaining his physique.
“No, that’s Ozempic,” he said, adding, “That’s how this weight got lost… I went and got a prescription and I got Ozempic.”
He was also happy to share just how often he incorporated the FDA-approved prescription medication into his lifestyle for optimal results.
“I take Ozempic every Thursday,” Morgan shared with the daytime talk show hosts as he showed the ladies how he injects himself in the stomach.
“It cuts my appetite in half. Now I only eat half a bag of Doritos,” he jokingly added.
Tracy’s known for doing bits, so I was confused at first about whether he was serious or not. I did a little research to see if anyone was clarifying that it was all a joke, but every report says that he did indeed gain 40 lbs while on Ozempic. So, I’ll take him at his word. I understand that people take Ozempic for weight loss because it helps suppress your appetite, which curbs the desire to overeat or snack. It’s worth noting that Tracy has diabetes, so it’s possible that the suppressed appetite and weight loss were unintended side effects to taking the drug. Because otherwise, if he was trying to lose weight, I’m not sure why he’d want to “out-eat” it. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose? If he stopped taking it, then why not just say that? It’s times like these when I miss 30 Rock because this feels like it could be a Tracy Jordan storyline.
Photos credit: Michael Simon/startraksphoto.com, IMAGO/MediaPunch / Avalon and via Instagram
I read that in his voice and actual lol’d
If he’s diabetic then he was probably given Ozempic to begin with. I think he’s just making fun of those people who are talking it to lose weight.
Since diabetes correlates with being overweight or obese, there are people who legit need this drug and should not be ridiculed for using it (I’m posting here after reading Kate Winslet’s remarks about how the drug is horrible).
I think you’re misunderstanding me, I’m talking about the celebrities who are using Ozempic solely as a weight loss drug. I’ve said in the past that I don’t think people who take it as a weight loss drug are depriving diabetics who need it to survive.
Ozempic is not FDA approved for weight loss. So yeah, the supply issues directly affect diabetics. What has been approved for weight loss is its cousin Wegovy. Its made by the same company but it has more semaglutide—which directly affects weight loss. I’m down 90 pounds on Wegovy. Initially I had to lose weight in order to undergo knee surgery but for general health I’ve got another 50 lbs to go. Wegovy has been a blessing. (BTW, for longer lasting results you do need to modify your diet and be sure to exercise.)
My guess would be that he has some compulsive/emotional eating behaviors and that the Ozempic only quieted the physical hunger.
I’ve read a lot how Ozempic silences the food noise for a lot of people. They don’t know how/why, they just know it does. I guess it must not curb the compulsion for everyone. I’ve read so many accounts that relationships with food have been healed because of Ozempic because people experience no food noise for the first time in their lives. Anyway, I experience so much food noise and generations back on my paternal side are obese, so I’m fascinated about the whole thing.
The weight gain ( if real) may have been muscle or something if he has been working out too
I am currently on Ozempic. .5mg for the last week and I am absolutely starving omg. My blood sugar levels are down by 10 points, but man I am starving ALL THE TIME. He might be doing a bit, but I totally believe him.
when I first started Ozempic 3 years ago I gained 20 pounds the first month. Over the following months I lost the additional 20. Weight loss started two years later, June 2023, at the rate of about 1 pound per month. Why I started the weight loss then and not 3 years ago who knows.
My problem with Ozempic is it affected my appetite to the degree that I set my timer at regular times as a reminder to eat. The good news is that my A1C has dropped significantly which allows me to lower my insulin injections.