Stars denounce Tracy Morgan's anti-gay rant

(CBS) Tracy Morgan's costars and other celebrities are condemning the homophobic remarks that he made during a recent comedy show in Nashville.

The actor-comedian apologized on Friday for comments he made during the June 3 performance, which reportedly included saying he would stab his son if he were gay, saying the lines "clearly went too far and was not funny in any context."

Pictures: Tracy Morgan
Morgan apologizes for anti-gay rant

"30 Rock" creator, co-star and executive producer Tina Fey said in a statement that she was glad that Morgan apologized, but that she was disturbed by the "violent imagery" that Morgan used.

"Stand-up comics may have the right to 'work out' their material in its ugliest and rawest form in front of an audience, but the violent imagery of Tracy's rant was disturbing to me at a time when homophobic hate crimes continue to be a life-threatening issue for the GLBT Community," she said, according to Deadline.com. "It also doesn't line up with the Tracy Morgan I know, who is not a hateful man and is generally much too sleepy and self-centered to ever hurt another person."

"I hope for his sake that Tracy's apology will be accepted as sincere by his gay and lesbian coworkers at '30 Rock,' without whom Tracy would not have lines to say, clothes to wear, sets to stand on, scene partners to act with, or a printed-out paycheck from accounting to put in his pocket," Fey added.

Alec Baldwin, who also stars on "30 Rock," tweeted "Oh that Tracy," when the story broke, but the next day posted another message that said "No one's making excuses for Tracy."

Cheyenne Jackson, an openly gay actor who has appeared on the NBC sitcom, said in a statement to Out.com that he was "disgusted and appalled by Tracy Morgan's homophobic rant."

"The devastating repercussions of hate-filled language manifest in very real ways for today's LGBTQ youth," Jackson said. "I've known Tracy for two years, spent many long hours with him on set, and I want to believe that this behavior is not at the core of who he is. I'm incredibly disappointed by his actions, and hope that his apology is sincere."

Chris Rock initially tweeted in Morgan's defense, saying, "I dont know about you, but I dont want to live in world where Tracy Morgan cant say foul inappropriate s--."

He later backtracked in another message: "Tracy Morgan is a tad off we all know that so when Tracy says something I usually don't take it anymore serious than i would a statement from Gary Busey or Flavor Flav," Rock tweeted. "When I first heard the statement I thought it was offensive but it also reminded me of my father saying I'll kill you if you ever bring home a white girl but after reading everything Tracy said. Wow I get it that s--- wasn't called for and I don't support it at all."

Comedienne Wanda Sykes, who is gay, tweeted a series of messages about Morgan.

"I do believe in free speech, but for a youth in TN or any other numerous place, Tracy just yelled, 'Fire,' in a crowded theater," she wrote in one post, later adding, "Tracy has the right to say whatever he wants to say, just like we have the right to say, not acceptable...This isn't about comedy. What Tracy said is dangerous. We r just trying to protect our kids."

NBC's Chair of Entertainment Bob Greenblatt also released a statement, obtained by Deadline.com, denouncing Morgan's remarks.

"I speak for NBC and myself personally when I say we do not condone hate or violence of any kind and I am pleased to see Tracy Morgan apologizing for recent homophobic remarks in his standup appearance," he said. "We will always recognize an artist's freedom to express him or herself, but not when reckless things are said no matter what the context. Unfortunately, Tracy's comments reflect negatively on both '30 Rock' and NBC - two very all-inclusive and diverse organizations - and we have made it clear to him that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated."