Tracy Morgan Performs First Stand-Up Show Since Car Crash

US comedian Tracy Morgan returned to the stage yesterday for the first time in 16 months to perform a stand-up routine since being involved in a horrific car accident.

In June last year, the 46-year-old comic suffered severe brain trauma, a broken leg and several broken ribs in the accident which left him in a critical condition in hospital and also tragically killed his long-time friend and collaborator James McNair.

Morgan made a surprise appearance at the Comedy Cellar in New York, which is believed to be a warm-up for his return to Saturday Night Live this week where he will host the show for a second time, following his time as a regular cast member from 1996-2003. 

According to Refinery29, Morgan seemed at ease back on stage.

"Morgan made jokes about his speech therapy," the reviewer wrote. 

"At one point during his brief set, he even stopped to cough for a minute. 'That's because of the accident,' he joked, followed it up by suggesting that it might also be from smoking too much weed."

The 30 Rock alumni also tweeted an image of himself on stage with the caption, "My first time on stage in 16 Months at the #ComedyCellar! Picking up the pieces!"

Morgan promised he would return to comedy after he recovered from the accident, saying on Today this past June in what was his first TV appearance, "I love comedy and I cant wait to get back to it, but right now my goal is just to heal and get better, because I'm not 100% yet."

"And when I'm there, you’ll know it, I’ll get back to making you laugh, I promise you."

Morgan will appear on SNL this week alongside musical guest, Demi Lovato.

Meanwhile, he is currently filming a new movie entitled Fist Fight alongside rapper and actor, Ice Cube and Charlie Day.