Recently, we at Old Black Men Sittin' on the Porch Talkin' Shit hosted a special tribute evening bringing together family, friends, and colleagues to honor and celebrate three of our living legends: Garrett Morris, Earl Billings, and Harold Sylvester. Look for an episode showcasing the full celebration soon. Until then, we're excited to share this video tribute created for Garrett that captures some remarkable stories and demonstrates his profound impact on generations of performers. As you'll see, Garrett's many talents and trailblazing career have earned him a special place in the hearts of his contemporaries.
When looking at the full spectrum of Garrett Morris's life and career, what emerges is the portrait of a true Renaissance man, a classically trained opera singer, Broadway performer, playwright, educator, activist, comedian, and actor. From singing in his grandfather's church choir in New Orleans to becoming a groundbreaking presence on American television, encompassed far more talents than most of his fans ever realize.
The next time you see Garrett trading barbs with his partners on “Old Black Men Sittin’ on the Porch Talkin’ Shit” or in reruns of "SNL" or "2 Broke Girls," remember that you're watching not just a talented comedian but a classically trained singer who could perform Mozart arias, a playwright who addressed social issues decades ahead of his time, an educator who taught in maximum security prisons, and an activist who helped desegregate actors' unions. His career reminds us that true artists are far more than what we see on screen, a lesson particularly worth remembering when considering the pioneering Black performers whose full humanity and breadth of talent has frequently been overlooked by entertainment history.
Appearing
Antonio Fargas, Oz Scott, Starletta DuPois, Ellis “Skeeter” Williams, Sati Jamal, Sheila Frazier, Richard Wesley, Ted Lange, Seret Scott, Jimmy J.W. Smith, Richard Gant, Bill Duke, Veronica Redd
