Garrett Morris Was the First Black Cast Member on 'Saturday Night Live’

After premiering in 1975, Saturday Night Live grew exponentially to become one of TV’s longest, most adored shows. It has started the careers of many famous actors and sparked the joy of comedy into the hearts of millions. However, it took two years before Saturday Night Live debuted their first black cast member.

According to a recent article by Shadow and Act, a young talented Black comedian named Garrett Morris appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1977. Until that point, many other Black men and women were unable to achieve that same accomplishment. Morris was originally hired as a screenwriter after SNL producer Lorne Michaels read his play.

However, Morris successfully auditioned as an improvisational actor and was cast as a member who later assisted the show on and off-screen. When asked about his story, Garrett Morris mentioned, “You could be white as snow, and you still had to fight for your place on the show."