In just a few weeks, Stand Up for Heroes will kick off the 15th annual New York Comedy Festival in partnership with TBS on November 5 at Madison Square Garden. The Stand Up for Heroes event presented by Bob and Lee Woodruff in partnership with NYCF founders Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox has raised more than $45 million to assist our nation’s injured veterans, service members and their families through the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
The event will be followed by a week long comedy festival from November 5 to 11 bringing together some of the biggest names in comedy for a week of standup performances across New York’s five boroughs. This year’s festival will host more than 200 comedians, including Boston‘s own Bill Burr and Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Carr, David Cross, Desus & Mero, Dan Harmon’s Harmontown, Gabriel Iglesias, Jim Jefferies, Anthony Jeselnik, Jo Koy, Bert Kreischer, Marc Maron, Jason Mewes, Tracy Morgan, Yvonne Orji, Bryan Safi and Erin Gibson’s Throwing Shade, and Jonathan Van Ness and Antoni Porowski.
We caught up recently with Saturday Night Live alum, “30 Rock” funnyman and “The Last O.G.” favorite Tracy Morgan to discuss the upcoming comedy festival, second season of “The Last O.G.” and what his father taught him.
In a few weeks, you’ll be appearing at the New York Comedy Festival (November 10 at the Beacon Theater). When did you first know you wanted to pursue a career in comedy?
I was born that way. My career came about through accident. I was about 21 or 22 when I was on Def Comedy Jam. I want people to remember me as one funny dude. I love my sense of humor. I just want to be funny. I am looking forward to this year’s comedy festival.
Congratulations on having The Last O.G. renewed for a second season. Can you give us a preview of what we can expect next season?
Last season was on the outside; this season is now going be to be a visit on the inside. There are going to be some surprises next season. I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised when you meet my mother.
Do you think people relate to the show because it’s a story about second chances?
It’s a kind show. It’s not a show about the community; it’s starring the community. These are real people. It’s not a black show. It’s a show that people can really relate to. That’s why people really enjoy it.
How did it feel to receive your own personal star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this year?
As far as my career goes, that’s my legacy. As far as my life goes, my kids are my legacy. When I received the star, my career flashed before me. It was a beautiful journey to walk down memory lane.
You have certainly overcome your share of struggles over the years. How would you say your outlook has changed since your 2014 accident?
My outlook hasn’t changed. My outlook has always been the same, but the accident brought me closer to God. My father taught me that. I now have a divine outlook.
Photo Credit: Kovert Creative
![01_SEAL_003[2]](https://hauteliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/01_SEAL_0032-357x238.jpg)
Celebrities
October 19, 2018Seal Pays Tribute To Joni Mitchell—The Woman Who Inspired
