Tracy Morgan Becomes Emotional While Discussing Raising Daughter, 8, After Crash, and Leaving ‘a Legacy’
Tracy Morgan is grateful to be able to watch his daughter grow up.
On Tuesday’s Today show, the actor, 52, spoke with Hoda Kotb about his recovery from a 2014 highway accident that left him fighting for his life, getting choked up at one point in the interview when talking about his 8-year-old daughter Maven Sonae.
“She’s very close to me. We’re very close. That’s my baby. She’s my greatest costar ever. Ever,” He was referring to her role in the upcoming season of his television show The Last O.G.
“Why does just saying her name bring out all these emotions?” Kotb wondered.
“She was 10 months old when I got hit by the truck. So, people don’t just come out of comas — I had to fight. I knew I had to be here for her,” said Morgan. “I wanted to see my daughter. I’ve always wanted a daughter. I have a female version of me, and I’m looking at her every day as she grows under my gaze. And I love her.”
Morgan added that he still feels “great” and “fortunate” seven years after the accident.
“For my sons and my daughter, I just want to leave a legacy,” he said. “When I’m gone, I want them to go to my Hollywood star and say, ‘That’s my grandpop,’ and they can build on top of that.”
On the New Jersey Turnpike on June 7, 2014, a Walmart truck collided with Morgan’s limousine. Morgan was left wheelchair-bound for five months after the crash that killed his friend and collaborator, comedian James McNair, 62.
With his ex-wife Sabina, he has three adult sons: Tracy Jr., Malcolm, and Gitrid. He has a daughter, Maven, with Megan Wollover, from whom he is divorcing in July 2020.
Morgan posted a sweet photo of himself kissing Maven on the head on Instagram in July to celebrate Maven’s birthday “May all your dreams and wishes come true. You are my princess. Have good health and joy in abundance my love. Happy Birthday Maven.”