Lamorne Morris on Mike’s Hard Lemonade, New Girl, Spider-Noir, and More

Lamorne Morris on Mike's Hard Lemonade, New Girl, Spider-Noir, and More

As a fan of Lamorne Morris’s versatile talents, I must say his ambition and passion for directing and producing are truly inspiring. His desire to guide actors and add a gem or two to their toolbox while keeping his makeup-free days intact is nothing short of admirable.


Born and raised in the Chicago vicinity, actor Lamorne Morris didn’t follow a conventional route to Hollywood stardom. He tried his hand at numerous professions before finally settling in Los Angeles. Even his cherished role as Winston on the FOX sitcom New Girl came about unexpectedly, with him joining the series in Episode 2 following Damon Wayans Jr.’s departure from the project. However, his comedic skills solidified him as a key member of the cast. In recognition of his perseverance through various career highs and lows, Morris has teamed up with Mike’s Hard Lemonade to organize the “Mike’s Jobstacle Course” event in New York City. This unique experience will put fans through a series of different jobs to illustrate just how tough they can be. The Mike’s Jobstacle Course will take place at 477 Broadway from 2 – 8 p.m. ET on August 20th. To secure your spot, visit mikesjobstaclecourse.eventbrite.com and RSVP.

Mike’s is collaborating with dedicated actor Lamorne Morris to organize an interactive pop-up event named “Mike’s Jobstacle Course” on August 20th in New York City. This event promises to offer an immersive experience, demonstrating that every job comes with challenging days. To help you appreciate the refreshing taste of Mike’s Hard Lemonade even more, it will remind you that a hard day at work deserves a reward.

I recently had a chat with Morris about his latest collaboration, potential chances for a reunion in the show “New Girl”, the upcoming Spider-Man spinoff series titled “Spider-Noir”, and other interesting topics.

Lamorne Morris on Mike's Hard Lemonade, New Girl, Spider-Noir, and More

Straightforwardly speaking, let’s dive right into the topic. This question might seem simple or debatable, but since you mentioned being from Chicago, I’m curious about your preferred Chicago-style pizza.

Lamorne Morris: Recently, I’ve been frequenting Giordano’s pizza because it’s conveniently located near where I reside in Chicago. If I had to pick, I’d go with Giordano’s. Every so often, Lou Malnati’s is shipped over to L.A., which I absolutely love.

As someone who grew up in a bustling city like Chicago, I can attest to the unique characters that emerge from such vibrant environments. One such character was my friend Alex, who had quite the reputation for his love of pizza. It seemed like every gathering at his house was a “pizza party,” and people would always rave about it. Little did they know, Alex’s pizza parties consisted of him simply popping frozen pizzas into the oven, resulting in often burnt slices. However, we knew better because of his consistent culinary mishaps, while others continued to be impressed by tales of his legendary pizza parties.

I love pizza so much, but Alex always had the sh-ttiest of pizza. I’m like, “We’re in Chicago eating this BS. This doesn’t make sense.”

As a fellow enthusiast, I admire that you’re defying the common misconception. It’s not uncommon to hear people say, “I hail from Chicago, but I don’t really dig Chicago-style pizza.” But you, my friend, are bucking the trend. You can indeed be a Chicagoan and genuinely appreciate Chicago-style pizza!

Sure thing!

Reflecting on your collaboration with Mike’s Hard Lemonade, which explores various careers, I want to know if there was a job that you initially found challenging but now seems relatively easy in hindsight. Conversely, what do you consider the most demanding role throughout your professional journey?

Among several options I could mention, I will choose roles within the entertainment industry for this instance, detailing particular positions instead.

Initially, I assumed that playing the lead role in “New Girl” would be the toughest challenge of my career, given it was my debut on a nationally broadcast TV show. At first, it seemed rough navigating character development and constantly worrying about potential dismissal. However, with hindsight, I can say it was a breeze compared to what I anticipated – almost effortless! The key was simply being relaxed, trusting my instincts, and allowing the characters to unfold naturally. I often tease Jake [Johnson], but let me tell you, he’s one of the best improvisers out there, and it’s a breeze when someone is constantly setting up jokes for you.

Among the challenging ones, working on Fargo was quite tough indeed. Fargo, despite being an enjoyable experience, filming in such cold weather was truly painful – it felt like freezing bones and required constant performance, which was necessary to stay focused and immersed. However, the fact that it was minus-30 degrees outside and my sweat would freeze on my face and beard, turning white with ice, made it incredibly harsh.

Regarding Mike’s Hard Lemonade and the “Jobstacle Course” event, could you tell us more about the origin of this partnership? What sparked your interest in it and made you eager to participate in this venture?

In a way that resonated with me personally, this opportunity felt fitting as it reflected my lifestyle. With various brands coming my way, not all align perfectly, so I have to decline some appealing offers. However, this one seemed right because it mirrored my usual habits. It’s almost like they said, “Mike, you’ve put in the effort. Take a break, enjoy Mike’s Hard Lemonade with its delightful flavors.” And I thought, “That makes sense, as that’s how I generally live my life.”

It’s true that I’ve had numerous jobs in my past, and many people would agree with this, I suppose. After wrapping up work for the day, one often seeks relaxation. For me, a glass of Mike’s Hard Lemonade, especially the lemonade flavor, offers a mini-vacation feel. It’s like taking a break before diving back into the work routine tomorrow.

It’s crucial that we give our bodies time to unwind to avoid exhaustion and maintain our enthusiasm for work. I strongly advise against letting stress and burnout take over, as I’ve always believed in this approach myself. So when the Jobstacle Course idea was presented to me, it resonated with my core beliefs, and I think it will be an exciting opportunity for participants to try out various jobs and discover which ones are more challenging than they seem. For instance, being a weather person might appear effortless, but we’ll see if contestants can handle the demands of the role just like professional meteorologists do. Booksellers, taste testers, or even best pranksters – I plan on including a range of jobs in the competition. Let’s see how it goes!

In my previous job as a speaker discussing sharks at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, I usually relaxed by visiting Lou Malnati’s or Pequod’s pizza places. Pequod’s was also one of my favorite spots to unwind.

Oh, wow. Really? Okay, all right, very nice.

You can find Lou Malnati’s restaurants located downtown, making it more convenient for you to travel from the Museum Campus to Michigan Avenue or any nearby location.

Once, a friend mentioned Giordano’s to me, but I can’t recall the specifics of our conversation. However, I replied, “Perhaps we visited a different branch,” because he seemed displeased with it. Then, I added, “Oh, that’s right. We were at the Oak Brook location, not the Loop one. We must have gone to the wrong place.”

Apart from your early days when you were yet to secure acting opportunities, and since then as a professional actor, you’ve managed to star in a sitcom, work on Fargo, host podcasts, and even appear on Jimmy Kimmel. You’ve had an incredible journey so far. Is there any area within the entertainment industry that you aspire to explore next, something that, if given the chance, would be another achievement added to your impressive list?

I’ve had experience with directing, but I’d like to delve deeper into it, specifically directing and producing. I enjoy incorporating my humor and style into projects, without necessarily being in front of the camera. I’m considering this as a fun challenge because I adore acting, but it would be rewarding to work behind the scenes. I can learn from great directors and maybe contribute something unique to their methods. Additionally, I appreciate the idea of not having to wear makeup daily, which is a relief since that can be quite demanding every day. As a director, I can show up in casual attire like sweats and flip-flops, making it less stressful for me.

Regrettably, I must discuss a matter related to your past co-star, Jake. We conversed earlier this year, and I mentioned that Lamorne is open to a New Girl reunion or revival. His reaction was, as he put it, “I consider Lamorne the politician of show business. For the fans, he’ll do anything. Sign the contract, big daddy. I’m spreading your number around.” I thought you might appreciate hearing this, and I’d like to give you the chance to respond to Jake’s comments as well as discuss the potential chances of a New Girl revival.

Often, politicians tend to make extravagant promises, but as a politician, I aim to promise just the right amount. Let it be known to everyone that I am committed to making a New Girl reunion happen – this is something truly important to me personally.

As a hardworking politician with deep roots in my community, I believe it’s important to stand up for what I believe in and not shy away from tough conversations. I’ve seen too many people like Jake Johnson, who seem to forget where they came from once they taste a little bit of success. But let me tell you something, folks – I am Lamorne for the people, and I always will be.

I’m planning to establish a grassroots movement called “White Dudes Supporting Lamorne for New Girl.” I just hope I won’t face suspension on Twitter, or whatever platform they’re referring to these days.

Yeah, I know, I know. Don’t get in trouble, man. We need you.

In this conversation, I’m joined by ComicBook and Lamorne. You earlier expressed interest in Spider-Noir, mentioning it as a dream project for you. I understand that the production hasn’t begun yet, but since we’re dealing with a fresh take on the Spider-Man character, could you share any hints about what your portrayal of Robbie Robertson will be like, or how it might deviate from audience expectations?

As a long-time fan and admirer of Robbie Robertson, I’ve been given the extraordinary opportunity to bring his story to life, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the journey! With a background in acting that spans over two decades, I can honestly say that this project has challenged me like never before. The team behind this production is nothing short of visionary, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible on television. I won’t give away too many details, but let’s just say it’ll be an experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. And for those who know me and my work, rest assured that there will be a touch of Lamorne in there – that’s why I was chosen for this role. I can’t wait for fans to see what we’ve created together. It’s been a true honor and privilege to be part of something so unique and groundbreaking.

Mike’s Obstacle Course will be set up at 477 Broadway between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Eastern Time on August 20th. To confirm your attendance, please RSVP at mikesjobstaclecourse.eventbrite.com.

The conversation you see here has been shortened and made clearer for your convenience. Feel free to reach out to Patrick Cavanaugh personally on Twitter.

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2024-08-13 20:13