The Emmy-winning actor and comedian reflects on his Chicago roots, breaking into television, improvising on New Girl, working with Nicolas Cage, and navigating the unpredictable business of Hollywood.
Actor, comedian, writer, and Chicago native Lamorne Morris pulls up to The Underground Lounge for a wide-ranging conversation tracing the unlikely path that took him from basketball dreams and sketch comedy to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable comedic actors.
Throughout the conversation, Morris looks back on discovering acting while in high school and the experiences that eventually led him into Chicago’s legendary comedy scene. He discusses developing his skills through sketch and improvisational comedy, his time at The Second City, and landing an early major opportunity with BET that helped open the door to a career in entertainment.
Morris also reflects on the combination of preparation, timing, persistence, and luck that can determine whether an opportunity becomes a career-changing moment.
Of course, the conversation turns to the role that introduced Morris to millions of viewers: Winston Bishop on New Girl. Morris breaks down his experience joining the hit comedy series and how improvisation, chemistry, and experimentation helped shape Winston into one of the show’s most memorable characters. He also offers insight into the creative freedom behind some of the moments that continue to resonate with fans years after the series ended.
Beyond New Girl, Morris discusses continuing to expand his career across comedy, drama, television, and film. The conversation dives into his work on Spider-Noir, including the experience of working alongside Nicolas Cage, as well as the unique challenges that come with stepping into major franchises and high-profile productions.
Morris also gets candid about a side of Hollywood audiences rarely see. He discusses auditioning for major movie roles, dealing with opportunities that almost happened, and understanding that talent is only one part of surviving in the entertainment industry.
The discussion explores the business behind television as well, including why successful or beloved shows can still be canceled and how decisions involving budgets, studios, networks, streaming platforms, and shifting strategies can determine the future of a project regardless of how creatively successful it may be.
Through it all, Morris maintains the humor and honesty that have defined his career. Whether discussing basketball, Chicago comedy, auditions, New Girl, Spider-Noir, Nicolas Cage, or the unpredictable realities of Hollywood, he provides a revealing look at what it actually takes to build—and sustain—a career in entertainment.
Lamorne Morris’ full conversation on The Underground Lounge is available to watch now.
