30 Rock star Tracy Morgan’s interaction with a homeless man seeking assistance has become widely discussed online after Morgan’s direct refusal.
The 57-year-old comedian was filmed in a New York City restaurant when a man approached him on camera, asking for food. Morgan, however, was not receptive to the request.
Adorned in New York Knicks attire, as reported by Complex from a January 21 game where the Knicks decisively defeated the Brooklyn Nets with a score of 120-66, Morgan was signing autographs when the exchange occurred.
In a TikTok video capturing the moment, the Saturday Night Live veteran acknowledges the man seeking help. “I remember you,” Morgan states, his demeanor changing as he points at the man.
“Don’t talk to me like I owe you something,” Morgan assertively tells the man in a baseball cap. The man responds, “Can I get something, please?”
Despite his wealth, Morgan remains unmoved, replying simply: “No!”
He then quietly elaborates, “You used to talk all that s**t to me when we were younger.”
“You think I forgot?”
The man acknowledges their shared past, still asking for assistance, and says: “Yeah but… I’m homeless, boy.”
Morgan, however, is not ready to forgive, ending the conversation by saying: “So what’s that got to do with me? I ain’t do that.”
This exchange sparked online discussions about forgiveness, linking back to Morgan’s past disclosures about his own challenging upbringing.
In a 2011 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Morgan shared, ‘I know how bad bullying can hurt. I was bullied when I was a kid,’ citing how he faced bullying as his father was debilitated by AIDS.
The incident has divided viewers, with some noting that the man, identified as a former bully, did not apologize but instead sought aid.
Conversely, many believe Morgan’s reaction was inappropriate. One X user commented, “This was a missed opportunity to close the wound. Forgiveness is for yourself not the offender.”
Another remarked, “I could never do this to another person, no matter the circumstances.”
Nonetheless, a significant portion of viewers supported Morgan’s response, with some praising it as a fitting reaction for those who have experienced bullying.