Movies

Leanne Morgan Was a Stay-at-Home Mom in Tennessee. Now She’s the Star of a Netflix Comedy

BBG News

As a passionate film lover, I found Leanne Morgan’s moment to be a promising indication of things to come. You see, instead of peddling Premier jewelry – a now-defunct direct-sales brand originating from Texas by a Christian duo – Morgan decided to share her life as a stay-at-home mom in rural Tennessee. “I was dressed in a short dress, pregnant with my second child,” she recalls, “and I bent over, exposing the back of my underwear. I just went with the flow.” The audience didn’t hold Carmen McDonald responsible for her accident. Instead, they swiftly fetched towels to dry the couch, and I thought to myself, “I can make it in Hollywood; even Carmen had an accident on this very couch!

30 years after making statements in the mid-’90s, Leanne’s predictions have been validated at last. Known for her role in the comedy series “Leanne,” co-created by Chuck Lorre, who is also behind hits like “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and Half Men,” this show will debut on Netflix on July 31st. Her book, “What in the World?”, became a bestseller in 2024. She recently starred in a film alongside Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell, and has graced every late-night talk show, daytime chat festivals, and popular comedy podcasts. The success of her 2023 Netflix special “I’m Every Woman” paved the way for two more, and dates for her Just Getting Started tour are selling out rapidly.

In a traditional phrase, women can aim for everything they desire, yet not simultaneously achieve it all. For Morgan, comedy took a backseat as it was her secondary passion compared to her longing for motherhood. She recalls an unending yearning to become a professional comedian, but also a deep desire to start a family. The hectic schedules of stand-ups and parenthood often collide, hence Morgan’s comedy career has always been the supportive sidekick rather than the star. It seems fate had planned this, as the viral video that catapulted her current career success – a hilarious account of attending a Def Leppard concert with other seniors and spotting the lead singer’s hernia – was released just as she sent her last child off to college in 2020. This turn of events has made Morgan an exciting newcomer at the age of 59.

Over the past year, I’ve experienced moments that feel like dreams coming true. At a gathering, none other than John Mulaney approached me personally to share his appreciation for my work! And when I graced his show, legendary David Letterman expressed his admiration for my achievements. He said, “Leanne, reaching this level is already remarkable, but to accomplish it while raising three kids in the heartland of America? That’s truly extraordinary.” I was left speechless. He was so gracious and humble, often asking me if he was talking too much. In awe, I could only reply, “You were absolutely charming, David.” Living here in Knoxville, Tennessee, these encounters have been nothing short of surreal.

Another common sentiment, especially in comedy, is that timing is crucial. The series “Leanne,” which revolves around a woman who’s left by her husband after 33 years of marriage and the role her family, community, and church play in her recovery—or complications—is Morgan’s fourth attempt at a TV series based on her comedy. She’s had previous development deals, including one with the creator of “Roseanne” and “Home Improvement.” However, none of them made it past the proposal stage. She believes that her humor might have been ahead or behind its time. “Shows like ‘Modern Family,’ ‘Fresh Off the Boat,’ and many others were massive successes,” she says. “But ours just didn’t resonate as much—you know, because she was married with kids.

The comedian and grandmother of two has some thoughts on why society shifted towards her style. During the pandemic, she feels that people grew weary of all the digital manipulations. “People crave authenticity,” she states, “and they want to discover who someone truly is.” She believes this could be her advantage. Her strong, thick-as-a-steak accent is a testament to this. Critics on the internet have questioned its authenticity, but few can identify its origin. Even her first husband suggested diction lessons (the marriage didn’t last long). However, she argues that everyone she grew up with in Adams, Tennessee spoke similarly. “It might be thick,” she says, emphasizing the word ‘thick’ with two syllables, “but I believe it makes me stand out.” She pronounces the final word with two syllables as well.

The authenticity in her routine, filled with tales about her family life, including her kids, spouse, and health issues like hemorrhoids, resonates genuinely. As another comedian from Tennessee, Nate Bargatze, notes, “Her unique accent gives her act a distinct flavor,” but it’s her experience as a mom and wife that provides a perspective not often discussed. Her comedy is straightforward yet unpolished. She experimented with the Christian comedy circuit for a period but found it limiting because it required walking a line that wasn’t always truthful. Moreover, being humorous without mocking others can be challenging. Despite this, she strives to remain kind-hearted, except perhaps towards her husband Chuck Morgan, the disliked book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” and the myth of eternal libido. “I must stay real. I must stay truthful,” she says, “about selling myself to my husband for our children to have good shoes.

Many female comedians often resort to provocative or explicit humor to overcome the initial shock of their gender. However, Morgan’s approach is different; her comedy is soft-spoken and soothing. Her performances have been a source of comfort for many, a surprise to her. “They were battling cancer, going through a divorce, or facing difficulties with their children, and they would tune in to me,” she recalls.

In an era marked by increasing political and economic polarization, rapid technological advancements, Morgan’s stories of everyday inconveniences offer a sense of familiarity and reassurance, reminding us all of our shared experiences. “Attending a Leanne Morgan show, you’re not anxious about how it will turn out,” says Bargatze. “You simply go in with happiness, knowing it’s going to be a fantastic experience.

It’s important to note that Morgan’s life wasn’t typical like most people’s. Her parents, who had origins in tobacco farming, managed a small town store and farm in Adams (population 500) before they established a thriving meat-processing company. Instead of celebrating Thanksgiving, they prioritized deer hunting season because everyone, including grandfathers, aunts, and neighbors, was essential for processing the game brought in by hunters. Morgan recalls, “We weren’t good help. It smelled bad, and we had big hair, and we didn’t want to do it.” Her mother, who could efficiently skin a deer in just two minutes using only a golf ball and string, was the backbone of the business.

Following the dissolution of her initial marriage, Morgan decided to complete her degree in child development at the University of Tennessee, while taking on various temporary roles such as a waitress. During this time, she crossed paths with Chuck Morgan and they got married. The couple then shifted to the Appalachian foothills for Chuck’s trailer-park venture, which he eventually disposed of. In 2001, Chuck climbed up the ladder to become an executive at one of America’s largest manufactured-home companies, prompting the family’s move to San Antonio. It was here that Morgan found herself near some comedy clubs, and after gathering her courage, she made her debut at an open-mic night. One local club recognized her potential and soon enough, she was a frequent headliner at Cap City Comedy Club in Austin.

In the early stages of my career, I found myself frequently participating in charity events, comedy nights geared towards women, or corporate gigs. I was always ready to seize any opportunity that came my way. Week after week, I would aim for at least one gig, whether it was paid or not.

Fast forward to the late ’90s and 2000s, I continued to persist in seeking opportunities. However, even after my first televised special in 2018, club owners still refused me a return engagement. They appreciated my professionalism—I didn’t cause trouble or get drunk in the parking lot—but they claimed I couldn’t draw a crowd. “She’s fantastic,” they’d say, “but we can’t have her back. She just can’t sell tickets.” This is what Morgan shares about the experience.

During her time away from the circuit, family life served as both Morgan’s source of inspiration and content. In one of her well-loved videos, she ponders why God makes teenage daughters so unkind. Nowadays, her family is more accepting, but Morgan admits, “I really should have asked before upsetting that one,” referring to her daughter. Mr. Morgan, the main target of her humor, has only voiced disapproval once, during the early stages of her career. “With so many babies to nurse, I said, ‘I’d like a breast augmentation, but it’s been a tough trailer park year,'” she recalls. “He replied, ‘Never say that I can’t provide for you. You know I could write a check for your breasts right now!’

Mrs. Morgan has built a career that reflects her own values and addresses matters important to women, all while maintaining a boldly feminine presence within a predominantly male field. Her comedic approach, honed from experiences in multi-level marketing jewelry events, has been shaped by female audiences. She candidly discusses intimate acts, labeling them as “not nice things,” in a manner that caters more to women’s perspectives rather than appealing to men. As she puts it, when she says such things, women cheer and toss their handbags into the air. “They have to do it too,” she adds, suggesting solidarity with their experiences.

When asked about her feminist views, she takes a moment before responding, “I’d say I’m somewhat of a feminist, but I adore men.” She continues, “I don’t want to carry heavy objects, I need health insurance, and I prefer not to work daily jobs. I want Chuck Morgan to handle those tasks.” Due to her husband’s support, she explains, she has been able to focus on honing her stand-up routine without financial worries or sleeping in her car after performances away from home. Being close to home, according to Bargatze who also developed his style in the heartland of America, has kept her unique and original. “She’s quite untouched,” says Bargatze. “Now that she’s established a career, she won’t have to alter her approach because it’s evidently working for her.

It would have been easier for Morgan if she had become famous at a younger age. She admits it took her time to master the intricacies of sitcom acting. Now, she aspires to act in more films and believes voice coaching could be beneficial, yet she questions whether she has what it takes. Even though she no longer has children at home, this isn’t an ideal moment for a breakthrough; she has been concerned about her aging parents while living and working in Los Angeles and wants to become a genuine rural grandmother—cooking, washing, and helping with the babies. Nevertheless, Morgan is mostly content that success came when it did. “I’m grateful it was in my 50s,” she says, “when I’m too exhausted to do anything harmful.

Read More

2025-07-24 14:06

Previous post Will Moonveil’s $MORE Token Make You Rich? 🚀🎮
Next post eFootball 2025 July update is introducing Borussia Dortmund alongside multiple campaigns with rewards