Tracy Morgan Net Worth: The Shocking Truth Behind His Fortune

Tracy Morgan has built a $70 million fortune, bouncing back from a devastating car accident in 2014 that put him in a medically induced coma for two weeks. His financial comeback mirrors his inspiring physical recovery – he went from being wheelchair-bound to walking again after watching his daughter take her first steps.

His wealth stems from a stellar career on “Saturday Night Live” (1996-2003) and an Emmy-nominated performance on “30 Rock” (2006-2013). The 2015 settlement with Walmart after his accident substantially boosted his net worth, though the exact amount stays private.

Let’s learn about how Morgan amassed his wealth through entertainment, what his accident settlement meant, and the way he enjoys his millions. He owns a $2 million Bugatti and lives in a massive 22,000-square-foot New Jersey mansion worth $13.9 million. His achievements shine through his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Entertainment Icon Award from The New York Friars Club.

The Rise of Tracy Morgan: From Stand-Up to Stardom

Tracy Morgan rose from the tough streets of Brooklyn and the Bronx to become a multi-millionaire entertainer. Born on November 10, 1968, he used humor as his shield during the hardships of his childhood years.

Life took unexpected turns for Morgan. He dropped out of high school and sold crack cocaine for a while. The murder of his best friend changed everything – the same friend who pushed him toward stand-up comedy. “He would say to me, ‘Yo, Tracy, man, you should be doing comedy,'” Morgan recalls. “A week later, he was murdered”.

Morgan started his comedy career on the streets. His success allowed him to move from “a run-down apartment next to Yankee Stadium” to “a nice community in Riverdale”. His talent caught attention in 1992 when he joined the cast of “Uptown Comedy Club,” a sketch comedy show in Harlem that ran until 1994.

Martin Lawrence noticed Morgan’s potential and cast him as “Hustle Man” on the hit series “Martin”. Morgan made the role memorable with his catchphrase “What’s happ’n, chief?” – his first recurring television character.

Morgan’s career transformed in 1996 when he joined “Saturday Night Live” and stayed for seven seasons until 2003. He brought characters like Brian Fellow, Dominican Lou, and Astronaut Jones to life on SNL. The show became his training ground, where he “had to let my guard down to let the writers see my flaws”.

Former SNL colleague Tina Fey created the character Tracy Jordan just for him on “30 Rock” (2006-2013). This role earned Morgan an Emmy nomination at the time of 2009 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Morgan’s star continued rising as he performed stand-up shows nationwide and released his autobiography, “I Am the New Black,” in 2009. His distinctive comedic style and bold personality have carved him a unique place in comedy.

The Turning Point: Car Crash and the Walmart Settlement

Tracy Morgan’s life changed forever on June 7, 2014. A terrible crash happened when a Walmart tractor-trailer hit his limousine on the New Jersey Turnpike as he returned from a Delaware performance. The crash killed his friend and mentor James “Jimmy Mack” McNair and left Morgan with terrible injuries.

The crash happened early morning when Kevin Roper, a Walmart truck driver, didn’t slow down in a construction zone. He drove at 65 mph in an area where the speed limit was 45 mph. Roper had been up for 28 hours before the crash. He drove 700 miles from his home to his work terminal before starting his delivery route.

Morgan’s injuries were severe. He had a traumatic brain injury, broken leg, broken ribs, and many fractures in his face. The doctors put him in a medically-induced coma for two weeks because his condition was critical. “I had to learn how to walk again. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Morgan said later.

Morgan sued Walmart after the accident, saying the company was responsible for their driver’s actions. Walmart first claimed Morgan’s injuries were partly because he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, but they ended up settling the case.

The settlement amount stays private, but reports suggest it was around $90 million. Walmart also paid $10 million to McNair’s family. This big payout affected Morgan’s wealth so much that he “would never have to work again if he chose not to”.

The settlement gave Morgan financial freedom to focus on getting better. His recovery was tough – he spent five months in a wheelchair and went through intense therapy at the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. His doctor later said his recovery was “nothing short of a miracle”.

The whole ordeal became a financial turning point that boosted Morgan’s wealth, yet it remained one of the toughest chapters of his life.

How Tracy Morgan Built and Spends His Fortune

Tracy Morgan has amassed a fortune of $70 million through multiple income streams beyond his entertainment career. He pulls in around $10 million yearly from his professional work, placing him among comedy’s highest earners.

His TV career serves as the foundation of his wealth. His roles on “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” brought in about $100,000 per episode. The big screen has been good to him too – he earned $5 million for his role in the 2010 movie “Cop Out”.

The comedian has expanded his earnings through smart brand partnerships with Dub Wheels and Uber One. He also created his own clothing and accessories line in partnership with Walmart.

His success extends to publishing. The 2009 memoir “I Am the New Black” landed on the New York Times bestseller list. His stand-up tours and comedy specials like “Tracy Morgan: Black and Blue” (2011) and “Tracy Morgan: Staying Alive” (2017) have added significantly to his wealth.

Real estate stands as his biggest investment. Morgan bought a stunning 22,000-square-foot mansion in Alpine, New Jersey for $13.9 million in 2015. The house amazes visitors with:

• A 20,000-gallon shark tank that houses eight pet sharks
• Several massive fish tanks, including a pool table aquarium with alligator gar
• A movie theater, basketball court, bowling alley, and video game arcade[144]

His love for luxury cars matches his taste in homes. He owns a $2 million Bugatti Veyron that made headlines after a Honda CR-V sideswiped it minutes after purchase. His collection also includes a Ferrari LaFerrari[204] and a Lamborghini Aventador[204].

“I always wanted a big house,” Morgan said about his New Jersey mansion, adding that it would stay “in our family forever”. These words reflect his vision of creating lasting wealth through smart investments and personal passions.

Conclusion

Tracy Morgan’s trip from Brooklyn streets to a $70 million net worth stands as one of entertainment’s most remarkable comeback stories. A near-fatal accident could have ended his career and life, but Morgan showed the same resilience that helped him escape his tough childhood. The Walmart settlement changed his financial path completely, though his success on “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” had already made him a comedy heavyweight.

His story goes beyond just building wealth – it’s about how he enjoys his fortune without any regrets. His $13.9 million mansion comes complete with shark tanks and an arcade, and his supercar collection shows someone who lives life to the fullest after facing death. “I always wanted a big house,” he once said, which perfectly captures his straightforward take on success.

Life can flip upside down in a moment – that’s what Morgan’s story teaches us. The same guy who once sold crack on Brooklyn streets now drives a Bugatti. Doctors thought he might never walk again, but today he moves freely around his 22,000-square-foot estate. His financial and comedic legacy will last for generations – evidence of his sharp business sense and unbreakable spirit.