30 Rock character guide

Who is Tracy Jordan in 30 Rock?

The unpredictable, conspiracy-minded movie star whom Jack Donaghy forces onto Liz Lemon's sketch show, turning it into TGS with Tracy Jordan and turning her workweek into chaos.

By Sitcomdle · Sources and corrections

Updated October 30, 2026

Tracy Jordan's Sitcomdle clue card

The five clues the game shows when Tracy Jordan is the answer or a guess.

Show: 30 Rock
Debut: 2006
Network: NBC
Role: Main
Gender: Male

Tracy Jordan has not been a daily answer yet. Play today's Sitcomdle.

Show: 30 Rock
Played by: Tracy Morgan
First episode: “Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1, aired October 11, 2006
Role: Main cast
Network: NBC
Occupation: Movie star and TGS cast member
Show run: 2006 to 2013

Tracy Jordan is a famous, famously erratic film star hired in the pilot to bring male viewers to Liz Lemon's sketch comedy show. Tracy Morgan, whose own life inspired many of the character's traits, plays him as a man-child who is sometimes much smarter than he lets on.

On 30 Rock, Tracy Jordan's story runs through Kenneth Parcell (Best Friend), Liz Lemon (Head Writer), Jenna Maroney (Co-star), Jack Donaghy (Boss), and Frank Rossitano.

Tracy Jordan from 30 Rock: Sitcomdle character card

Who is Tracy Jordan?

Tracy is a famous but erratic movie star whose career has seen better days when Jack Donaghy hires him as the new star of The Girlie Show. Jack renames the show around him, to the irritation of Liz and of Jenna, its previous star. From then on, a typical TGS week involves Tracy vanishing, inventing a crisis, or demanding something impossible.

He grew up in the Bronx and spent much of his childhood in foster care. He has been married to his wife, Angie, since 1991, and despite his party-animal image he insists he has never cheated on her. They have two sons, and a daughter, Virginia, is born in season five. Tracy rarely goes anywhere without his entourage, Grizz and Dot Com.

Personality and comedy

Tracy is a self-centered prima donna who believes in conspiracy theories and takes dubious treatments from Dr. Leo Spaceman. Yet the show keeps hinting that much of his clowning is an act, and every so often he turns out to be sharper than anyone in the room. He takes enormous pride in learning he is descended from Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings.

His closest friend at work is the page Kenneth Parcell, who runs his errands and becomes something like an office spouse during a rough patch with Angie. Tracy, in turn, is more protective of Kenneth than anyone else in the building, and he is lost without him when Kenneth finally moves on.

Key storylines

In season one Tracy becomes convinced that a secret group called the Black Crusaders is out to get him. In season two Angie throws him out, and he makes a fortune by inventing a pornographic video game. He also chases the EGOT, the rare sweep of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards, and in season five he finally completes it, only to discover that being taken seriously comes with responsibilities he wants no part of.

In the final season, Tracy struggles once Kenneth is promoted to network president and can no longer wait on him. In "Last Lunch" he tries to stop the last episode of TGS from being made, because the network owes him a payout if it never happens, until Liz finds him at the same strip club from the pilot and admits how much she loves him.

Behind the scenes

Tina Fey asked her former Saturday Night Live castmate Tracy Morgan to play the role, and he was the first actor cast after Fey herself. Many of the character's traits and life events are drawn from Morgan's own life, and Morgan said the part felt tailor-made for him.

Morgan earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for the role, and in 2010 Entertainment Weekly ranked Tracy Jordan 55th on its list of the greatest characters of the previous 20 years.

Key Tracy Jordan episodes

“Pilot”Season 1, Episode 1Jack forces Liz to hire Tracy, an erratic movie star, as the new star of her show.
“Tracy Does Conan”Season 1, Episode 7Tracy's new medication makes him even stranger than usual right before a late-night talk show appearance.
“Cleveland”Season 1, Episode 20Tracy becomes convinced that the Black Crusaders are coming for him.
“SeinfeldVision”Season 2, Episode 1Angie kicks Tracy out of the house, and Kenneth becomes his office wife.
“The Natural Order”Season 3, Episode 20After Liz scolds him in front of the staff, Tracy turns into a model professional and demands she give up her own perks in return.
“Double-Edged Sword”Season 5, Episode 14Tracy finally completes his EGOT and buckles under the pressure that follows.

Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.

Tracy Jordan: frequently asked questions

Who plays Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock?

Tracy Morgan plays Tracy Jordan in all seven seasons of 30 Rock, from 2006 to 2013.

Is Tracy Jordan based on Tracy Morgan?

Partly. Tina Fey wanted Morgan, her former Saturday Night Live castmate, for the role from the start, and many of Tracy Jordan's traits and life events come from Morgan's own life.

Does Tracy Jordan get an EGOT?

Yes. After pursuing the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony sweep for several seasons, Tracy completes his EGOT in season five.

Who is Tracy Jordan's wife?

His wife is Angie Jordan, played by Sherri Shepherd. She later stars in her own reality show within the series, Queen of Jordan.

What does Tracy Jordan call Liz?

He usually calls her by her full name, "Liz Lemon," and in later seasons sometimes shortens it to "LL."

Test yourself: Tracy Jordan quiz

5 questions about Tracy Jordan. Think of your answer, then open the reveal to check it.

Question 1
Tracy chases an EGOT, which means winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and what?
1. A Golden Globe
2. A Peabody
3. A People's Choice Award
4. A Tony
Show the answer
Answer: D. A Tony
Tracy sets his sights on an EGOT in season four, after spotting a diamond EGOT necklace while Christmas shopping, and the quest is about as chaotic as you would expect.
See question 8 in the full quiz
Question 2
Which spooky novelty song did Tracy Jordan once record?
1. Vampire Prom Night
2. Werewolf Bar Mitzvah
3. Zombie Wedding Day
4. Mummy Sweet Sixteen
Show the answer
Answer: B. Werewolf Bar Mitzvah
Tracy's "Werewolf Bar Mitzvah" became a fan-favorite bit, all about boys becoming men and men becoming wolves.
See question 10 in the full quiz
Question 3
Who plays Tracy Jordan in 30 Rock?
1. Tracy Morgan
2. Tom Bosley
3. Vivian Vance
4. Craig Robinson
Show the answer
Answer: A. Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan plays Tracy Jordan.
Question 4
In what year did Tracy Jordan first appear on 30 Rock?
1. 2000
2. 2010
3. 2006
4. 2004
Show the answer
Answer: C. 2006
Tracy Jordan debuted in 2006, in "Pilot" (Season 1, Episode 1). That year is the Debut clue in the game.
Question 5
Which episode was Tracy Jordan's first?
1. "Home Is the Sailor"
2. "Kryptonite"
3. "Pilot"
4. "Charlie Gets Crippled"
Show the answer
Answer: C. "Pilot"
Tracy Jordan first appeared in "Pilot," Season 1, Episode 1.