Comedy legend Tracy Morgan makes his triumphant return to television with the new Paramount+ sitcom 'Crutch', where he brings his unique brand of humor and personal experiences to the streaming platform. The Saturday Night Live alumnus stars as Francois "Frank" Crutchfield in this spinoff from the popular CBS comedy The Neighborhood, which features Cedric the Entertainer.
Drawing Inspiration from Family Roots
In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Morgan revealed the deeply personal connection he has with his character. "It's 100 per cent me because I'm just mimicking my dad," the actor confessed, explaining how his own family dynamics shaped his performance. He drew parallels between his older brother moving back with their father and the storyline, comparing it to Simba returning to Mufasa in The Lion King.
Morgan elaborated on this father-son dynamic, noting how his father handled the situation with grace and authority. "My father had to go about it a graceful way, let my brother know he was the Mufasa," he shared, emphasizing how these real-life experiences directly influenced his portrayal of Frank Crutchfield.
A Family Affair On Set
The production of Crutch became a genuine family experience for Morgan, who brought his 12-year-old daughter Maven Sonae onto the set for a special cameo appearance. Maven, who plays a character named Raven in the series, portrays a local girl who visits Crutch's store to sell popcorn for a school trip and skillfully negotiates a deal with him.
The young actress expressed her excitement about being part of the production, telling People: "It's really cool being on a set and being dressed up. I like fashion." Her presence on set reflects Morgan's current life priorities, which have shifted toward family and gratitude following his near-fatal 2014 highway accident.
Transformed Perspective After Life-Changing Accident
Morgan's approach to his career has evolved significantly since the 2014 crash that left him in critical condition and claimed the life of his friend, fellow comedian James McNair. The traumatic experience fundamentally changed how he views his work and life choices.
"Anything with a heart. Because it has a heart. If it doesn't have a heart, I don't wanna do it," Morgan stated about his current project selection criteria. He vividly remembers his grandmother's wisdom during his recovery: "Just when you thought you were doing bad, there are people out there doing worse."
The actor expressed profound gratitude that his daughter and her mother weren't traveling with him on the night of the accident, saying "Thank the Lord" and emphasizing that "I'm here to see her grow."
Wisdom Gained Through Experience
Now in a different phase of his career, Morgan approaches his work with renewed perspective and appreciation. "I'm an older man now, so it's that much fun," he reflected. "It's getting even better now that I have the experience."
He used a powerful mountain metaphor to describe his career journey: "You can't see how big the mountain is if you're right up on it. You have to step back and look at it and go, 'Wow, that mountain is big.' Now I see how big this mountain is. Now I'm gonna climb it. And I'm gonna climb it just because it's there."
More than a decade after his life-altering accident, Morgan maintains a positive outlook guided by daily gratitude. "I feel fortunate. I feel great. Every morning I wake up. Even on a cloudy day, the sun might not be out, but it's up. The rest is up to me," he shared.
When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Morgan didn't hesitate: "Keep doing what you doing. You're doing fine." Crutch is currently streaming on Paramount+, offering viewers a heartfelt comedy that blends Morgan's signature humor with genuine family values and personal growth.
