10/11/2026
On October 11, 1975, Saturday Night Live premiered with Garrett Morris as part of its original cast, making him one of the first Black performers on the show. His presence opened the door for the long line of Black comedians who later shaped SNL's legacy, from Eddie Murphy to Leslie Jones.
Representation on screen matters, and Morris's role in that first cast reflects the kind of groundbreaking presence that paved paths for Black excellence in comedy and television.
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