Lamorne Morris
 |
Lamorne Morris | |
|---|---|
 Morris at PaleyFest, March 2012 | |
| Born | August 14, 1983 |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 2002–present |
Lamorne Morris is an American actor, comedian and television personality. He is best known for playing Winston in the Fox sitcom New Girl. As a game show host, he hosted the Cartoon Network game show BrainRush. He also worked for BET in the past.
Career
Originally from Glen Ellyn, a suburb near Chicago, before wanting to become an actor, Morris wanted to be a basketball player. He attended Glenbard South High School. Morris graduated the College of DuPage in 2003,[1] The Second City Training Center, and was a member of Second City's Outreach And Diversity Ensemble. He made his TV debut as host of his own show HotWyred on BET, a witty interactive tech and gaming show. Morris has since become a familiar funny guy as one of BET’s most visible on-air personalities, with his comedic antics and coverage for many of the network’s top-rated shows. From signature skits like the “The Package” leading up to the annual BET Awards to segments for 106 & Park, BET’s Spring Bling: Fashion 5-0, 106 & Party, Top 100 Countdown, Grammy Nomination Special, and many more. Most recently Morris has been seen as the co-host of the daily music and entertainment news show BET Now with Alesha Renee.
Morris has appeared in several award-winning independent films and shorts including April Fools (Code Black), One Word (Panel Select at Cannes) and voiceover work for animated comedy Urban Group Squirrels.[citation needed] He studied theatre at the College of DuPage near Chicago and is a recipient of the Chris Farley Memorial Acting Scholarship. With his recent relocation from New York to Los Angeles, Morris has begun developing several of his own show concepts and is up for several film and television projects.[citation needed]
Morris can be seen in commercials including ones for State Farm Insurance, Taco Bell, Twix, Miller Lite, Las Vegas, 7 Up, Edge, Sears, Microsoft Windows, Chili's, McDonald's, Ford and Hornitos Tequila.
Morris is featured in the supporting role of Winston in the Zooey Deschanel anchored comedy series New Girl, which premiered September 20, 2011, on Fox.[2] However, Morris did not appear until the second episode[3] - Originally, Damon Wayans, Jr. was a member of the cast, in the supporting role of Coach. However, Wayans' other comedy series, Happy Endings, had already been picked up for a second season on rival network ABC. The producers of New Girl initially planned to recast Wayans' role,[4] but later decided not to recast and instead write his character out in the second episode.
Morris has also appeared in some YouTube videos by the channels "FunnyorDie" and, more recently, "Water". Morris featured in one of Water's videos starring Matt Damon which aim to increase awareness about the lack of water in developing countries.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Urban Ground Squirrels | Little David (voice) | |
| 2005 | Insanity | Police Officer | |
| 2005 | 106 & Park Top 10 Live | Himself | |
| 2006 | BET Awards 2006 | Courier | |
| 2007 | April Fools | Melvin Fox | |
| 2009 | To Have & Have More | Michael's Agent | |
| 2009 | BrainRush | Host | |
| 2010 | The Middle | Salesman | Episode: "Royal Wedding" |
| 2011 | The Assistants | Scott Smiley | |
| 2011 | The Guild | Craven | |
| 2011–present | New Girl | Winston | Series regular |
| 2013 | Drunk History | Martin Luther King, Jr. | Episode: "Atlanta" |
| 2013 | Dear Secret Santa | Jack | TV film |
| 2014 | Kroll Show | Tony Bell | |
| 2016 | Barbershop: The Next Cut | Jerrod |
References
- ^ http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/lamorne-morris/bio/297723
- ^ Wright, Emily (September 5, 2013). "Recap: 'New Girl' star Lamorne Morris chats about the show, more". Boston.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (July 8, 2011). "'New Girl': Lamorne Morris Replaces Damon Wayans Jr. in Fox Comedy". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/abc-renews-happy-endings/