Bushwick

Tracy Morgan brings ‘The Last O.G.’ back to his native Bushwick

Brooklyn-raised 'SNL' star returns

April 18, 2018 By Andrew Katz The Brooklyn Eagle
Comic legend Tracy Morgan, a native of Bushwick, cut the ribbon on the new Marcy Playground on Tuesday.
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It was vintage Tracy Morgan.

“I love you!” the famously needy former “Saturday Night Live” star shouted to a growing crowd of his former Bushwick neighbors on Tuesday. “I love you all! And there’s not a damned thing you can do about it! Except love back!”

Morgan was on hand to formally open the renovated Marcy Playground near where he grew up before going on to fame and fortune, most recently as the star of the new TBS comedy, “The Last O.G.,” which put up $215,000 for the playground restoration. The series also stars Tiffany Haddish and Cedric the Entertainer.

The color scheme for the playground was chosen so it “was in keeping with the show’s style,” said Maeri Ferguson of the Parks Department.

During brief remarks that preceded the formal ribbon-cutting, Morgan became emotional, kneeling down and kissing the freshly painted surface.

“You just got to keep on,” Morgan said. “I come back here because I want to remember where I’m from.”

He posed for many photos, including one with “my boy, Henry,” — better known as Community Board 3 District Manager Henry Butler. “We grew up here. We played here. And now we’re here again.”

Morgan and Butler grew up in the nearby Tompkins Houses. Borough President Eric Adams was also on hand.

“Brooklyn is proud to welcome back one of its famous sons, and we’re even prouder that he’s giving back in a real way to the community that raised him!” Adams said.

The brightly colored playground now sports a new asphalt surface with four new basketball hoops. It’s the first renovation to Marcy Playground in more than a decade, according to the Parks Department.

“This is just wonderful!” said Marcy Resident Miss Edee after snapping a selfie with the comedian. “My son used to play here,” she continued. “Now he coaches other kids. But they did a great job for the residents.”

Meanwhile, Morgan happily greeted all comers, posing for selfies and offering inspiration: “I cut my finger here!” he declared. “I bled here! This is for Brooklyn! This makes me so happy!”

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