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Near-Death Experiences of the Hollywood Rich and Famous extracted from Jean Ritchie's book, Death's Door.

Tracy Morgan (1968-- ) is an American actor and comedian best known for his eight seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live (1996–2003) and for his role as Tracy Jordan in the comedy series 30 Rock (2006–2013). He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2009 for his work on 30 Rock and has appeared in numerous films as an actor and voice actor. 

On June 7, 2014, a tractor-trailer struck Morgan’s minibus on the New Jersey Turnpike, causing a devastating multicar crash that left Morgan with a life-threatening brain injury, a broken leg and broken ribs. The crash took the life of his longtime close friend, comedian James McNair. Morgan spent more than a week in a medically induced coma during which his life hung in the balance. When he awoke from his coma, he was blind for six days and faced a prolonged and grueling recovery. Morgan said he even contemplated suicide while recovering from the near-fatal crash and suffering from the loss of his friend. According to Morgan, "I thought I was going to die for a long time. My thoughts -- I was in a very dark place. I was sitting right here, contemplating suicide. I couldn't walk."

Morgan was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on her "SuperSoul Sunday" program. While Morgan was in a coma, he had an NDE during which he met God and was reunited with his late father, Jimmy Morgan. He described going to heaven while he was fighting to stay alive. "When you’re in a coma for eight to ten days, you’re basically knocking on the door."

Morgan described having a very clear vision during the time he was in the coma. "I don’t know if I was in the coma or in and out of the coma. But I remember ... I was talking to my dad." Morgan's father passed away in 1987 after losing a battle against AIDS. When Tracy saw him, his father reportedly told him it’s not his time to die. "He had this green, this green thing on. I just remember him saying, 'I’m not ready for you, son.'" The spiritual encounter was incredibly overwhelming for Morgan. "I started crying so hard. Probably harder than I cried at his funeral. I just kept saying, 'Dad.' He was my best friend in life." According to Morgan, his dad told him he still had to "finish the job."

 Often in tears during the interview with Oprah, Morgan said he truly believes he was in heaven and that his late father encouraged him to return to the living world. "When you’re in a coma for eight to ten days, and you survive, trust me, you’re at peace," he told Oprah. "I’ve been to the Other Side and I came back with gifts," he added. "These jokes I’m giving y'all -- they're gifts!"

Morgan's NDE also included a conversation with God. Morgan said God told him he still has plans for the him. "I went to the Other Side. This is not something I’m making up. Do you know what God said to me? He said, 'Your room ain’t ready. I still got something for you to do.' And here I am, doing an interview with you."

After his trip to heaven, Morgan says he’s now a changed man and that he is transformed for the better. He now looks at his relationships in a new light. When asked by Winfrey on Super Soul Sunday if a person can ever be normal again after a near-death experience Morgan answered, "No. I told my wife that the other day. 'Something’s different. The way I am with people.' I find myself saying 'I love you' 200 times a day to strangers. I don’t care. I don't have to know you to love you! That's how we’re supposed to be as human beings. We're supposed to take care of each other." 

He believes in taking care of people and becoming a better human being. The comedian now lives an ordinary life now. He is grateful to his wife and all those who love him. Morgan says he will be back in the comedy business, but he’ll never be completely the same. "Well, you’re never going to be normal after you go through something like that. You don’t die for a few weeks and then come back to normal, trust me. Something’s going to be missing, something’s going to be gained -- you just got to live your life after that. But after surviving something like that, I’m probably never going to feel normal," Morgan explained. Today, Morgan is upbeat about his recovery, saying he thinks the near-death crash has, in fact, made him funnier.