**The Untold Story of Garrett Morris: Hollywood’s Betrayal and Redemption**

Garrett Morris, a trailblazing comedian and actor, is best known for his roles as Stan Winters on *Martin* and Uncle Junior on *The Jamie Foxx Show*.

While his talent and charisma brought joy to audiences, his journey through Hollywood was marked by racism, betrayal, and resilience. From his groundbreaking role as the first Black cast member on *Saturday Night Live* (SNL) to facing near-death experiences and career sabotage, Garrett’s story is one of survival against the odds.

Garrett’s rise to fame began in 1975 when he joined *SNL*. While this should have been his breakthrough moment, the reality behind the scenes was far darker. Garrett faced constant racism from writers, who mocked him, stole his ideas, and relegated him to degrading roles.

One of his sketches, “White Guilt Relief Fund,” was stolen by Al Franken and became one of *SNL’s* most iconic pieces—without Garrett receiving any credit.

The systemic racism extended beyond the show, as Garrett was told by head writer Michael O’Donoghue that audiences would be “thrown” by a Black doctor when Garrett requested to play such a role in a sketch. The pressure of this environment led Garrett to self-medicate, further complicating his struggles.

When Garrett left *SNL* in 1980, he hoped to transition into movies and television like his white colleagues. Instead, his career stalled, and he later discovered the reason: John Belushi’s manager, a racist man who systematically blacklisted Garrett by discouraging studios from hiring him.

This campaign destroyed Garrett’s career for nearly a decade, limiting him to roles in low-budget horror films. It wasn’t until the manager’s death in the late 1980s that Garrett’s career began to recover, with roles in shows like *The Jeffersons*, *Rock*, and *Martin*.

While Garrett found success again with his beloved character Stan Winters on *Martin*, tragedy struck in 1994. Garrett was shot during a street robbery in South Central Los Angeles.

The attack left him with a colostomy bag, multiple surgeries, and a long road to recovery. Despite his physical and emotional struggles, Garrett faced another betrayal: while recovering in the hospital, he learned that his character had been written out of *Martin*.

Martin Lawrence, the show’s co-executive producer, fired Garrett while he was still fighting for his life, even forcing him to film his final scene from his hospital bed. Lawrence later lied in interviews, claiming he visited Garrett and cried with him—actions Garrett confirmed never happened.

Redemption came when Jamie Foxx cast Garrett as Uncle Junior on *The Jamie Foxx Show*. For the first time in his career, Garrett experienced loyalty and respect on set.

Jamie not only created a welcoming environment but also paid Garrett and other cast members during the fifth season, even when their characters were no longer part of the show. This unprecedented act of kindness helped Garrett regain financial and emotional stability during a difficult time.

Garrett Morris’s story is a testament to resilience. Despite decades of racism, blacklisting, and betrayal, he chose forgiveness and continued pursuing his passion. His journey highlights the importance of loyalty and humanity in an industry often defined by cruelty.

At 87, Garrett remains an icon, proving that talent and perseverance can overcome even Hollywood’s darkest moments.