Tracy Morgan looked as if he was having the time of his life as he led a bevy of comedy all stars at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Benefit on Wednesday.
The 55-year-old 30 Rock star was among the featured performers at the charity show, which was being held in the theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Joining him on the red carpet were fellow performers, presenters and guests, including Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Burr, former Sopranos stars Edie Falco and Steve Schirripa and Curb Your Enthusiasm standouts J. B. Smoove and Susie Essman, among others.
According to the benefit’s website, all the proceeds from the show will be going to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, which ‘helps young people facing illness, financial challenges, or the death or injury of a family member in uniform experience lasting joy and build successful futures.’
Tracy’s appearance comes a week after he admitted on The Tonight Show that he had gained 40lbs in recent months despite taking the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic.
Tracy Morgan, 55, was among the featured performers at the Garden of Laughs Comedy Benefit on Wednesday at the theater at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan
The 30 Rock star had a blast in a black-and-white sweatsuit with matching Nikes
Tracy was dressed casually for his set in a black-and-white track suit with white stripes running down the sleeves and pants and triangular white patches for the sweatshirt’s pockets.
The Saturday Night Live veteran matched the outfit with black Nike trainers with white accented soles.
He added some personality to the look with two heavy silver chains, and he grinned ear to ear while goofing off for the cameras on the red carpet.
He posed with The View host and comedian Whoopi Goldberg, who added a splash of color with a patterned patchwork jacket over a white blouse and slim black pants.
She wore small tinted glasses and black shoes and wore her braided hair in long strands running down her back.
Tracy was also chummy with fellow stand-up star Bill Burr, who kept things simple with a black V-neck sweater and dark blue jeans, along with gray New Balance trainers.
The Massachusetts-born comic was among the evenings headliners.
The red carpet also featured some film and television royalty, including Edie Falco, best known for her starring roles on The Sopranos and Nurse Jackie.
He posed with The View host and comedian Whoopi Goldberg, who added a splash of color with a patterned patchwork jacket over a white blouse and slim black pants
Tracy was also chummy with fellow stand-up star Bill Burr, who kept things simple with a black V-neck sweater and dark blue jeans, along with gray New Balance trainers
The Massachusetts-born comic was among the evenings headliners
The red carpet also featured some film and television royalty, including Edie Falco, known for her starring roles on The Sopranos and Nurse Jackie. She wore a tasteful black-and-white short-sleeve blouse that she paired with dark magenta slacks
She wore a tasteful black-and-white short-sleeve blouse that she paired with dark magenta slacks.
She had on a slim black leather belt and wore comfortable black flats.
Edie was joined by her former Sopranos costar Steve Schirripa. He played Bobby Baccalieri, who became Tony Sopranos brother-in-law in the classic show’s penultimate season.
He wore an untucked white bowling shirt with black pants and matching shoes.
The actor Luis Guzmán looked cozy in a ribbed white cardigan over an aquamarine shirt and black pants, and he completed the look with white athletic shoes.
Law & Order franchise legend Christopher Meloni dressed up a bit in a tasteful black-and-white gingham sport coat that he wore with dark jeans, brown leathers shoes and a gray driving cap that he held at his side.
He posed with Camryn Manheim, best known for starring on The Practice.
The actress was similarly dressed up in a smart black suit featuring a double-breasted jacket.
Edie was joined by her former Sopranos costar Steve Schirripa. He played Bobby Baccalieri, who became Tony Sopranos brother-in-law in the classic show’s penultimate season
He wore an untucked white bowling shirt with black pants and matching shoes
The actor Luis Guzmán looked cozy in a ribbed white cardigan over an aquamarine shirt and black pants, and he completed the look with white athletic shoes
Law & Order franchise legend Christopher Meloni dressed up a bit in a tasteful black-and-white gingham sport coat that he wore with dark jeans, brown leathers shoes and a gray driving cap that he held at his side
He posed with Camryn Manheim, best known for starring on The Practice
The actress was similarly dressed up in a smart black suit featuring a double-breasted jacket
Curb Your Enthusiasm stars J. B. Smoove and Susie Essman made sure to take some photos together on the red carpet.
He rocked a charcoal double-breasted blazer that bunched up around his stomach, along with a casual white graphic T-shirt and ripped jeans.
He added some class with a set of dark brown leather shoes, and he rocked a brown wide-brimmed hat and covered up with square military-style aviator sunglasses.
Susie glowed in a black jacket decorated with gold and silver sequins, which she complemented with black jeans and chunky boots.
Several of the evening’s stand-up comedians were gathered with Steve Schirripa, including Jim Gaffigan, Heather McMahan and Sam Morril.
Jim wore a black jacket and light blue jeans, while Heather stood out in a hot pink jacket with a black miniskirt and matching knee-high boots. Sam looked more reserved in an all-black outfit.
The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley, who recently finalized his divorce from Brad Pitt’s current girlfriend Ines de Ramon, wore a warm gray sweater with a casual black jacket and black jeans.
Jill Martin, who has been open about her battle with breast cancer in recent months, looked lovely in a white dress with a semi-sheer bodice decorated with silver leaf designs.
Curb Your Enthusiasm stars J. B. Smoove and Susie Essman posed together. He wore a charcoal double-breasted blazer with ripped jeans, while she wore a black jacket covered in gold and silver sequins
Several of the evening’s stand-up comedians were gathered with Steve Schirripa, including Jim Gaffigan, Heather McMahan and Sam Morril
The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley, who recently finalized his divorce from Brad Pitt’s current girlfriend Ines de Ramon, wore a warm gray sweater with a casual black jacket and black jeans
Jill Martin, who has been open about her battle with breast cancer in recent months, looked lovely in a white dress with a semi-sheer bodice decorated with silver leaf designs
Tracy Morgan’s appearance at the all-star benefit came shortly after he revealed that he had ‘gained 40 pounds’ while taking the controversial weight-loss drug Ozempic.
The 30 Rock star — who admitted to taking the drug in August — claimed that he ‘out-ate Ozempic’ during an episode last week of The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.
At one point during the pair’s conversation, Fallon complemented the actor’s physique and questioned how he was ‘staying in shape.’
Morgan then simply replied with, ‘That’s Ozempic,’ causing the crowd to briefly burst out in laughter while Jimmy said, ‘Oh!’
Tracy continued, ‘I’ve learned to out-eat Ozempic. I out-ate Ozempic. I’ve gained 40 pounds.’
The former SNL star questioned, ‘Oh really?’ prompting the comedian to add, ‘I’m like Magic Johnson. I gained 40 pounds.’
Seven months earlier, the Cop Out actor made an appearance on the Today show where he revealed that he was taking Ozempic.
At the time, he told hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush that he credited his weight loss to using the drug. ‘That’s how this weight got lost.’
He further opened up about how he came about to using Ozempic and stated, ‘I went and got a prescription, and I got Ozempic. I ain’t letting it go.’
Although Tracy is taking the medication, he also credited his weight loss to still following a strict fitness routine.
Morgan is just once of many celebrities who have candidly admitted to taking the weight loss drug, including Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer and Sharon Osbourne.
In a recent interview with Woman Magazine, the wife of Ozzy Osbourne revealed doctors ‘can’t figure out’ why she has been unable to gain back weight – despite the star no longer taking the medication for months.
However, she told the outlet, ‘I think it’s just because I’m getting older and as you get older you lose weight anyway and shrink and shrivel off.’
Tracy Morgan ‘s appearance at the all-star benefit came shortly after he revealed that he had ‘gained 40 pounds’ while taking the controversial weight-loss drug Ozempic
At one point during the pair’s conversation on the late-nigh talk show, Fallon complemented the actor’s physique and questioned how the actor was ‘staying in shape’; seen earlier this month in NYC
Seven months earlier, the Cop Out actor made an appearance on the Today show where he revealed that he was taking Ozempic; seen in 2015 in L.A.
Morgan then simply replied with, ‘That’s Ozempic,’ causing the crowd to briefly burst out in laughter while Jimmy said, ‘Oh!’
Tracy continued, ‘I’ve learned to out-eat Ozempic. I out-ate Ozempic. I’ve gained 40 pounds’
The former SNL star questioned, ‘Oh really?’ prompting the comedian to add, ‘I’m like Magic Johnson. I gained 40 pounds’
And last year in June, Schumer admitted to also trying out Ozempic, but stated that it had made her ‘skinny and too sick’ to play with her son.
Nearly 10 years earlier, Tracy notably was involved in a severe car collision with a Wal-Mart truck driver in New Jersey. His friend and fellow comedian, James McNair, passed away due to the crash.
At the time of the accident, Morgan suffered several injuries, including broken ribs, a broken nose and had to have surgery on his leg.
In 2015, the comedian took part in a candid interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer and discussed his recovery. ‘Sometimes, emotionally, I don’t feel well.’
He continued, ‘I’m really focused on my memory coming back to me, my walking getting better.’
The actor explained that he was looking forward to getting back to fulfilling his passion: Comedy.
‘I love comedy, and I wonder how I’m going to be funny again, remembering my identity…,’ he expressed.
‘I promise you: One day, when I’m 100 percent, I’m going to grab that mic, and I’m never going to let it go. I’m going to be the funniest I can be because I ain’t never going to take life for granted no more.’
Nearly 10 years earlier, Tracy notably was involved in a severe car collision with a Wal-Mart truck driver in New Jersey
In 2015, the comedian took part in a candid interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer and discussed his recovery. ‘Sometimes, emotionally, I don’t feel well’; seen in May 2023 in NYC
During his latest interview on The Tonight Show earlier this week on Tuesday, Tracy also briefly talked about stand-up comedy.
The star is currently on tour and is set to make stops in states such as Washington later this week on Friday, March 22 followed by a visit to Nevada on Saturday.
His tour is slated to come to an end in May as he makes a stop in the state of New Jersey.
Fallon pointed out how stand-up was what kickstarted Morgan’s career and he responded with, ‘That was the foundation for everything, just like you. Doing stand-up is the foundation for all of this.’