Leanne Morgan, Tennessee Grandma, Stars in New Netflix Series

Leanne Morgan, a 59-year-old comedian, reflects on her journey from a small-town grandmother to a sitcom star. Raised in rural Tennessee, Morgan always had aspirations of becoming a comedian but focused on her family life instead. In 2019, she unexpectedly became a viral sensation and found success in Hollywood in her 50s. Her Netflix comedy special, “I’m Every Woman,” was released in 2023, and since then, she has acted in movies, gone on a comedy tour, and published a book.

Now residing in Knoxville, Tennessee, Morgan stars in her own Netflix sitcom “Leanne,” which she co-created. In an interview, she shared her experiences of navigating Hollywood while staying true to her southern roots. She mentioned that she had previously been approached to create sitcoms but faced challenges as others didn’t understand her brand. However, she learned to assert herself and ensure that the scripts stayed true to her identity.

Morgan admitted that she hadn’t received much feedback on her material earlier in her career as she was focused on her family. Recalling her corporate gigs, she described them as draining. She also faced rejection in the comedy world for not fitting the “edgy” mold and being perceived as “mom centric.”

Despite these challenges, Morgan has no regrets about her choices. She believes that raising her children was the best decision and that her authenticity resonated with people during the pandemic. She shared how she connected with audiences by sharing relatable stories, making her comedy more appealing during challenging times. Leanne Morgan, a popular comedian, is making waves with her candid and relatable content that covers topics like taking care of elderly parents, launching children, and navigating menopause. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, she mentioned that she likes to keep her comedy light-hearted and avoid political topics. Inspired by Dolly Parton, Leanne aims to make her audience feel comfortable and entertained.

Netflix recognized Leanne’s potential and offered her a deal for a series of comedy specials after the success of her show “I’m Every Woman.” Leanne shared her excitement about this opportunity and highlighted her journey with Netflix. She also mentioned that Chuck Lorre, a renowned creator, played a significant role in shaping her series, “Leanne.”

The Netflix series stars Morgan as a character named Leanne, who faces unexpected challenges after her husband leaves her. Despite the hardships, Leanne navigates this new chapter of her life with grace, dignity, and humor. While the show is loosely based on Morgan’s life, it is not autobiographical. She is happily married to her husband Chuck and has three children.

In an interview with the Netflix outlet Tudum, Leanne discussed the challenges of adapting her stand-up routine into a sitcom format with a live studio audience. She expressed her excitement about fulfilling her childhood dream and adapting to a new medium. Although “Leanne” draws inspiration from her life, the show’s storyline diverges from her actual experiences.

Leanne’s husband, Chuck, has been supportive of her career, except for one instance where he asked her not to share a particular joke. Despite this, their relationship remains strong, and they continue to navigate the ups and downs of life together. Leanne’s show premiered on Netflix in July 2025, receiving positive feedback from viewers and critics alike.

During an interview on “Today,” Leanne shared how Jerry Seinfeld boosted her confidence when she had doubts about headlining a sitcom. His words of encouragement reminded her of her talent and ability to make people laugh, reinforcing her passion for comedy. With a successful show under her belt and more projects in the pipeline, Leanne Morgan is a rising star in the world of comedy. Actress Tracy Morgan recently shared some valuable advice she received from comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Morgan revealed that Seinfeld told her to have confidence in herself, which gave her the courage to pursue a sitcom. She also mentioned that Seinfeld warned her that worrying about people’s opinions is just a part of the job, and it’s something she will have to deal with for the rest of her career. This advice resonated with Morgan and gave her the reassurance she needed to navigate the entertainment industry.