Tracy Morgan is sorry.
The comedian and 30 Rock star, 42, came under intense fire on Friday following reports of a shockingly violent homophobic tirade during a June 3 stand-up routine at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
"I want to apologize to my fans and the gay and lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent stand-up act in Nashville," Morgan told Us Weekly in a statement. "I'm not a hateful person and don't condone any kind of violence against others."
Morgan's anti-gay rant came to light via Facebook, where an audience member, Kevin Rogers, recounted the comic's disturbing show. "He said if his son was gay he better come home and talk to him like a man …or he would pull out a knife and stab [him] to death," Morgan reported, adding that 10-15 people walked out of the auditorium. GLAAD, HRC and other organizations quickly condemned Morgan's routine.
Morgan admitted in his statement: "While I am an equal opportunity jokester, and my friends know what is in my heart, even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context."
A rep for Ryman Auditorium also apologized on Morgan's behalf, telling Us: "The Ryman Auditorium regrets that people were offended by statements made by Tracy Morgan during his June 3 appearance. The Ryman does not control the content presented by people appearing on its stage, nor does it endorse any of the views of, or statements made by, such persons."
