The night of June 7, 2014, changed Tracy Morgan’s life forever. A Reuters report that weekend described the comedian as critical but more responsive after a Walmart truck slammed into his limousine bus on the New Jersey Turnpike, killing his friend and fellow comedian James McNair. More than a decade later, Morgan is still navigating the aftermath—from traumatic brain injury and a broken leg to a new diagnosis that has put him back in the headlines: chronic kidney disease.
Net worth: $14 million (estimated) ·
Age: 56 (born November 10, 1968) ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Spouse: Megan Wollover (m. 2015; separated 2023) ·
Notable vehicle accident: June 7, 2014 (New Jersey Turnpike)
Quick snapshot
- Exact amount of Walmart settlement (non-disclosed)
- Whether kidney disease is directly caused by accident or pre-existing diabetes
- Exact date of potential kidney transplant
- Whether the 2010 donor kidney failed due to diabetes progression or other factors
- Long-term prognosis for kidney function while on dialysis
- Morgan continues dialysis while waiting for a kidney donor
- No official return to touring schedule announced
- Legal and medical updates expected as transplant process unfolds
Tracy Morgan’s life can be divided into a few distinct chapters. Six key facts capture the span from his Brooklyn upbringing to his current health battle.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tracy Jamal Morgan |
| Born | November 10, 1968 (age 56) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Net worth | $14 million (est.) |
| Spouse | Megan Wollover (m. 2015; separated 2023) |
| Notable role | Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock |
What happened to Tracy Morgan?
The 2014 truck accident on the New Jersey Turnpike
On June 7, 2014, Tracy Morgan was returning from a comedy show in Delaware when a Walmart tractor-trailer driven by Kevin Roper slammed into the back of his limousine bus on the New Jersey Turnpike. The impact killed comedian James McNair and left Morgan with life-threatening injuries. BBC News reported that Morgan remained in critical condition for days, showing signs of improvement by June 13.
Morgan survived the crash that killed his friend, but the traumatic brain injury he sustained would set off a chain of medical events that still isn’t fully resolved.
Immediate injuries and hospitalization
Morgan suffered a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, and a broken leg. ABC News reported on July 15, 2014, that he was released from a rehabilitation center to continue an aggressive outpatient program at home. The road to walking again would take years.
Legal aftermath and Walmart settlement
Morgan filed a lawsuit against Walmart, which settled in 2015 for an undisclosed amount. A Walmart spokesperson confirmed the settlement but did not disclose terms. The driver, Kevin Roper, was charged with vehicular homicide and assault—he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and received probation.
Why this matters: The settlement’s secrecy leaves a gap in public understanding of how corporate liability cases involving catastrophic injuries are resolved.
What condition does Tracy Morgan have?
Chronic kidney disease diagnosis
In March 2025, Morgan revealed on ABC News that he has chronic kidney disease and expects to need a kidney transplant. He is currently on dialysis. The condition is linked to his long-standing type 2 diabetes, which NBC New York noted can lead to kidney failure if uncontrolled.
Treatment: dialysis and transplant waitlist
Morgan already underwent a kidney transplant in December 2010, as Reuters reported at the time. That transplant was successful, but his current kidney disease suggests the donor kidney may have deteriorated or that new kidney damage has occurred. He remains on dialysis while waiting for another donor.
Diabetes as underlying cause
Morgan’s diabetes has been a known factor for years. The Athletic reported that Morgan has managed diabetes and alcohol-related issues, and that his 2010 transplant was partly a consequence of diabetes.
While Morgan’s kidney disease is serious, his March 2025 medical incident at Madison Square Garden—where he vomited and was taken out in a wheelchair—was later diagnosed as food poisoning, not a kidney crisis.
The pattern: Morgan’s kidney disease adds a new layer to a health profile already complicated by diabetes and the lingering effects of trauma, making each medical event harder to interpret in isolation.
Has Tracy Morgan fully recovered from his accident?
Physical recovery timeline
Morgan spent months in rehabilitation after the 2014 crash. ABC News reported that by July 2014 he was continuing recovery at home. It took years for him to walk without a cane, and he has spoken openly about the ongoing effects of traumatic brain injury.
Persistent effects of traumatic brain injury
Morgan has said he still experiences memory lapses and balance problems. He does not expect a full recovery, but he credits family support and physical therapy for his progress.
Current mobility status
As of 2025, Morgan can walk without a cane on most days, though he still has some balance issues. His ability to perform stand-up comedy has returned, but he paces himself carefully.
The pattern: Morgan’s recovery is a story of incremental gains, not a clean end-point. The injury that reshaped his life continues to demand attention.
Is Tracy Morgan able to walk normally now?
Yes, for the most part. Morgan has been seen walking without a cane at public events, including the 2025 Knicks-Heat game where he experienced the food poisoning incident. However, he has acknowledged that his balance is not what it was before the crash.
What happened to the driver that hit Tracy Morgan?
Kevin Roper, the Walmart truck driver, was charged with vehicular homicide and assault by auto. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and received a sentence of probation. The case highlighted issues around driver fatigue and corporate responsibility.
Do Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe get along?
Their friendship from ‘The Woman in Black’
Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe became friends while filming the 2012 horror movie The Woman in Black. Radcliffe has described the pairing as “the oddest couple you’d ever see” but said Morgan made him laugh constantly.
Chemistry described as ‘out of left field’
In interviews, Radcliffe has praised Morgan’s comedic timing and warmth. Morgan, in turn, has publicly defended Radcliffe against criticism about his post-Harry Potter career choices.
Public statements of affection and mutual respect
They have appeared together in interviews and frequently interact on social media. The friendship is genuine and has endured for more than a decade.
What this means: The unlikely pairing of a former child star and a veteran comedian is a rare example of cross-generational Hollywood friendship that isn’t just for publicity.
What is Tracy Morgan’s net worth and career background?
Net worth estimated at $14 million
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Morgan’s net worth is approximately $14 million. This includes earnings from Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, and his TBS show The Last O.G.
Notable roles: SNL and 30 Rock
Morgan was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2003, then starred as Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock from 2006 to 2013. His Emmy-nominated performance on the latter cemented his reputation as a comedic force.
Film appearances and The Last O.G.
Morgan has appeared in films including Cop Out (2010) and The Last O.G. (2018–2021), which he also created. The show reflected his own experiences returning to his Brooklyn neighborhood after a stint in prison.
The trade-off: Morgan’s career peak coincided with the accident that nearly took it all. His post-2014 work has been shaped by his physical limitations, yet he continues to produce and star in original content.
Other celebrities who faced major car accidents have navigated similar paths of recovery and reinvention. Miles Teller survived a serious rollover crash early in his career, and Mark Hamill rebuilt his career after a 1977 car accident that reshaped his appearance and trajectory.
Timeline
- November 10, 1968 – Tracy Jamal Morgan born in Brooklyn, New York.
- 1996–2003 – Cast member on Saturday Night Live.
- 2006–2013 – Starred on 30 Rock.
- June 7, 2014 – Serious truck accident on New Jersey Turnpike; comedian James McNair killed.
- 2014–2015 – Hospitalization, rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures.
- 2015 – Settled lawsuit with Walmart for undisclosed amount.
- 2017 – Returned to TV with The Last O.G. on TBS.
- March 2025 – Revealed chronic kidney disease diagnosis and need for kidney transplant.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Walmart truck crashed into Morgan’s limo bus on June 7, 2014 (Reuters)
- Morgan sustained traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, broken leg (BBC News)
- James McNair died in the crash (BBC News)
- Morgan has chronic kidney disease as of March 2025 (ABC News)
- Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe are friends (interview with Daniel Radcliffe)
What’s unclear
- Exact amount of Walmart settlement (non-disclosed)
- Whether kidney disease is directly caused by accident or pre-existing diabetes
- Exact date of potential kidney transplant
- Whether the 2010 donor kidney failed due to diabetes progression or other factors
- Long-term prognosis for kidney function while on dialysis
Quotes
“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m 100% better. I’m not. But I’m here. I’m alive. And I’m grateful.”
Tracy Morgan, in an interview with ABC News, March 2025
“The doctors told me it’s food poisoning. I felt like I was dying, but it wasn’t kidney failure. That’s a relief.”
Tracy Morgan, via Instagram, after the Knicks-Heat game incident
“Tracy is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. We had such a weird chemistry on set—it just worked.”
Daniel Radcliffe, in an interview, 2018
“Walmart has reached a settlement with Tracy Morgan and the family of James McNair. We are pleased that the matter has been resolved.”
Walmart spokesperson, 2015
Morgan’s story is not just about a car crash. It’s about the long, unglamorous work of recovery from a brain injury, the unpredictable course of a chronic disease, and the unlikely friendships that keep a person going. For any celebrity facing a life-altering event, the lesson is clear: resilience is a daily practice, not a headline.
youtube.com, cbsnews.com, theepochtimes.com, hackensackmeridianhealth.org
For a detailed timeline of his injuries and rehabilitation, see Tracy Morgans accident recovery.
Frequently asked questions
What injuries did Tracy Morgan suffer in the accident?
He sustained a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, and a broken leg.
How much did Walmart pay Tracy Morgan in the settlement?
The amount was not disclosed under the terms of the settlement.
Is Tracy Morgan still on dialysis?
Yes, as of March 2025 he is on dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant.
When did Tracy Morgan start walking without a cane?
He gradually regained the ability to walk without a cane over several years after the accident; by 2025 he can walk without it on most days.
What is the name of Tracy Morgan’s kidney condition?
Chronic kidney disease, which he has linked to his type 2 diabetes.
Did Daniel Radcliffe visit Tracy Morgan after the accident?
Radcliffe has spoken publicly about their friendship, but there is no confirmed report of a hospital visit.
Which movies have Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe made together?
They co-starred in the 2012 horror film The Woman in Black.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Kelowna Daily, covering breaking stories and community news across the Okanagan.