Harris Stanton (born 1978) is an American comedian based in Brooklyn, New York.[1] Before entering comedy, Stanton was a Major League Baseball draft pick.[2] He tours nationally and internationally including appearances on European television.[2] Stanton appeared in the opening act lineup for the Tracy Morgan "Turn It Funny" tour when the vehicle carrying Morgan, Ardie Fuqua, James McNair, and Jeff Millea was involved in a fatal car crash in June 2014.[3]
He decided to pursue comedy leading to a decade-long career.[1][6] Stanton has worked with comedy clubs such as Carolines on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, Stand-up New York, The Improv, as well universities such as M.I.T.[1][2] He has also been featured on BET's Comic View, Premium Blend and Comics Unleashed and as a sketch character on Saturday Night Live.[2] Stanton's jokes include topics such as aggressive New Yorkers, scary bodegas, and working security with only a flashlight and a pencil ("what am I supposed to do, sketch a weapon?").[6] He recorded a comedy DVD with Patrice O'Neal.[2] He also toured with comedian Tracy Morgan for the "Turn it Funny" comedy tour.[1]
Crash
Harris Stanton was a member of the comedy troupe touring with actor Tracy Morgan that resulted in a fatal crash on the New Jersey Turnpike.[7] The comedy troupe's limo bus was struck from behind and demolished when a Walmart semi-trailer truck failed to slow for traffic.[8] Stanton was conscious the entire time of accident and was able to provide a detailed account of the crash.[9] The accident resulted in the death of James McNair and the critical injuries of Morgan, Fuqua, and Millea.[10] Stanton was treated and released from the hospital for a broken wrist and bruised ankle.[9]