Family of comedian killed in the crash that left Tracy Morgan with brain trauma blast the star for failing to mention his mentor in Emmys speech... and reveal he hasn't been in touch at all

  • Tracy Morgan, 46, walked onto the Emmys stage to a standing ovation
  • In his comeback speech he thanked his doctors, family and new wife
  • He suffered devastating brain injury and broken bones in June last year 
  • His friend James McNair died when Wal-Mart truck hit the star's limo
  • McNair's sister Pamela said Morgan should've acknowledged his friend
  • And the late comedian's son blasted Morgan in an angry Facebook post
  • Jamel McNair revealed Morgan hasn't been in touch with his 'best' friend's family at all since the crash and didn't come to the funeral

Tracy Morgan made a triumphant return to the spotlight at the Emmy Awards last night – 15 months after nearly losing his life in a horrific car crash.

But the family of comedian James McNair, 62, who died in the crash in June last year, have blasted Morgan for failing to mention his mentor in his speech.

Former Saturday Night Live star Morgan suffered a traumatic brain injury and several broken bones when his limousine was struck by a Wal-Mart truck in New Jersey. 

His friend Mcnair – who was known as Uncle Jimmy Mack – was the sole fatality.

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Tracy Morgan made his comeback at the Emmy Awards, but the family of James McNair (right), who died in the crash that left Morgan with brain trauma, have blasted the star for failing to mention his friend in his speech
Tracy Morgan made his comeback at the Emmy Awards, but the family of James McNair (right), who died in the crash that left Morgan with brain trauma, have blasted the star for failing to mention his friend in his speech

Tracy Morgan made his comeback at the Emmy Awards, but the family of James McNair (right), who died in the crash that left Morgan with brain trauma, have blasted the star for failing to mention his friend in his speech

Former Saturday Night Live star Morgan suffered a traumatic brain injury and several broken bones when his limousine was struck by a Wal-Mart truck in New Jersey last year

Former Saturday Night Live star Morgan suffered a traumatic brain injury and several broken bones when his limousine was struck by a Wal-Mart truck in New Jersey last year

After stepping on to the stage to a standing ovation, the 46-year-old comedian told the crowd: 'Thank you so much. I miss you guys so much.'

But McNair’s sister Pamela said the 30 Rock star should have at least mentioned his late friend.

‘I understand it’s been a great ordeal for Tracy over the last 15 months,’ she told the New York Daily News.

‘I just feel in some form or fashion, he should have acknowledged my brother – his mentor – because he lost his life.’

Describing her brother as an ‘awesome individual’, she added: ‘Just take a minute along the way to acknowledge my brother. He has children, siblings, a big family – all bearing the same pain.’

And in an angry Facebook post, Mcnair’s son Jamel claimed Morgan has not contacted the late comedian’s family since the crash.

Morgan went to the awards ceremony in downtown Los Angeles with his wife of one month, Megan Wollover and their two-year-old daughter Maven, who also looked thrilled to be there

Morgan went to the awards ceremony in downtown Los Angeles with his wife of one month, Megan Wollover and their two-year-old daughter Maven, who also looked thrilled to be there

Morgan's friend James McNair – who was known as Uncle Jimmy Mack – was the sole fatality in the crash

Morgan's friend James McNair – who was known as Uncle Jimmy Mack – was the sole fatality in the crash

James McNair's sister Pamela (pictured) said Morgan should have acknowledge his late friend in his speech, while his son Jamel blasted the comedian for failing to contact the family at all

James McNair's sister Pamela (pictured left) said Morgan should have acknowledge his late friend in his speech, while his son Jamel (right) blasted the comedian for failing to contact the family at all

In an angry Facebook post, James 'Jimmy Mack' McNair's son revealed Morgan has not been in touch with his late friend's family since the crash in June last year

In an angry Facebook post, James 'Jimmy Mack' McNair's son revealed Morgan has not been in touch with his late friend's family since the crash in June last year

He also revealed Morgan had not turned up at a recent memorial to celebrate the life of his ‘best friend’– and branded his behaviour ‘inexcusable’.

Speaking about Morgan’s return to Hollywood, Jamel wrote: ‘Being a celebrity doesn’t excuse you from human obligations.’

TRACY MORGAN'S COMEBACK SPEECH AT THE EMMYS 

I miss you guys so much. 

Last year Jimmy Kimmel said on stage 'We'll see you back here next year, Tracy Morgan.' Well, Jimmy, thanks to my amazing doctors and the support of my family, my beautiful new wife, I'm here. Standing on my own two feet. 

And God bless all you for your love and prayers and positive thoughts for the past 15 months. 

I'm honored to be here at the Emmys, I've always been honored to be here. 

It's been a long road back, I suffered a traumatic brain injury that put me in a coma for eight days. 

And when I finally regained consciousness, I was just ecstatic to learn that I wasn't the one who messed up.

Only recently I've started to feel like myself again, which means a whole lot of y'all women gonna get pregnant at the after-party!

He added: ‘You take the Emmy stage and give a speech and tell jokes in front of thousands of people.

‘But you don’t show up to celebrate the life of your best friend ‘Uncle Jimmy Mack’ at his honor. Send a smoke signal, give a call, text, send a damn pigeon.’

The 26-year-old added: ‘There’s no excuse for this behaviour. My sister and I have yet to hear from Tracy Morgan and that’s real.’ 

DailyMail.com has contacted a representative of Morgan for comment.

Presenting the Emmy’s most prestigious award last night, Morgan thanked his family, doctors and wife for helping him through his recovery.

During Morgan's recovery, he had to learn how to stand, sit and walk again.

In his comeback appearance, he referenced words from Jimmy Kimmel, who told last year's ceremony that Morgan would return.

Morgan said: 'Well, Jimmy, thanks to my amazing doctors, the support of my family and my beautiful new wife, I'm here. Standing on my own two feet.'

'It has been a long road back. I suffered a traumatic brain injury that put me in a coma for eight days. And when I finally regained consciousness, I was just ecstatic to learn I wasn't the one who messed up!'

In a speech littered with touching anecdotes and risque quips, he joked: 'Only recently I've started to feel like myself again, which means a whole lot of y'all women gonna get pregnant at the after-party!'

Among those applauding him in the audience was Wollover, their two-year-old daughter Maven and Morgan's Hollywood pals.

Morgan still seemed fragile as he recounted the horrific car smash that put him in an eight-day coma

Morgan still seemed fragile as he recounted the horrific car smash that put him in an eight-day coma

In the audience were Morgan's 30 Rock co-stars Tina Fey (foreground) and Jane Krakowski (behind her)

In the audience were Morgan's 30 Rock co-stars Tina Fey (foreground) and Jane Krakowski (behind her)

Jimmy Kimmel, who was in the audience, tried to attract more viewers by joking that Tracy Morgan had passed out during his speech

Jimmy Kimmel, who was in the audience, tried to attract more viewers by joking that Tracy Morgan had passed out during his speech

His former 30 Rock co-star Tina Fey buried her face in her hands when he made his 'after-party' joke, while Jane Krakowski applauded wildly.

Morgan, who has three older children with his ex-wife Sabina Morgan, concluded his presentation by announcing that Game of Thrones had won the award for Best Drama Series.

Kimmel, who was in the audience, signaled his delight that Morgan was back with his own quip.

Perhaps in a bid to get more people to tune into the televised awards show, he tweeted: 'Oh my God - Tracy Morgan has just passed out onstage at the Emmys - turn ABC on NOW!!!'

Morgan had to learn how to sit, stand and walk again after the June 2014 road smash

Morgan had to learn how to sit, stand and walk again after the June 2014 road smash

A clearly delighted Morgan posed with his daughter Maven and wife Megan Wollover in the press room at the awards ceremony on Sunday

Afterwards Morgan tweeted a photo of himself with Jon Hamm, writing: 'Man it feels good to be back!!! Love you all!'

After Morgan's wedding last month, his new bride told People: 'After almost losing Tracy last year, I am so grateful to finally be married to the love of my life.

'We have been through so much and our love is stronger for it.'

Morgan said getting married was his inspiration during his road to recovery.

Still in the honeymoon stage! Tracy and Megan got married last month
They shared a tender kiss for the cameras

Still in the honeymoon stage! Tracy and Megan, who got married last month, shared a kiss for the cameras

But funnyman Morgan then ruined the romantic moment by showing off his belly as Megan hid her face in mock embarrasment

But funnyman Morgan then ruined the romantic moment by showing off his belly as Megan hid her face in mock embarrasment

In June, he told People: 'I don't want to walk my wife down the aisle with a cane or in a wheelchair.

'So I had to go hard with the therapy… I had to get better. There was no ifs, ands or buts about it.'

The comedian did refer to McNair in another June interview, telling NBC’s Today: ‘Bones heal. But the loss of my friend will never heal.’

He added that he had watched McNair’s funeral on YouTube.

Morgan added that he doesn’t remember the accident, but has watched news footage.

Wal-Mart has reached settlements with both Morgan and McNair's family.

Morgan couldn't help but show off his gorgeous wife and daughter as he posed for the cameras

Morgan couldn't help but show off his gorgeous wife and daughter as he posed for the cameras

Morgan (above with Jon Hamm) said 'I missed you all so much' at tonight's Emmys where he gave an alternately touching and funny speech

Morgan (above with Jon Hamm) said 'I missed you all so much' at tonight's Emmys where he gave an alternately touching and funny speech

 

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