Tracy Morgan Is Overcome with Pride and Tears to Learn His Great-Grandfather Served in World War I (Exclusive)

In PEOPLE's exclusive sneak peek, the 'SNL' alum has "no words" after learning from 'Finding Your Roots' host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. that his relative was "shipped out to France" to fight for the U.S.

During this week’s episode of Finding Your Roots, funnyman Tracy Morgan is uncharacteristically speechless.

In PEOPLE's sneak peek at the episode (which also gave Broadway star Anthony Ramos insight on his own ancestors), host Henry Louis Gates Jr. tells the Saturday Night Live alum that his great-grandfather registered for the draft in 1917 and went on to serve in a historic conflict.

Morgan, 55, becomes emotional while reading the historical record as Gates, 73, explains, “Your great-grandfather Julius registered for the draft, and you know what was happening at that time? World War I.”

Related: Henry Louis Gates Jr. Reveals How Stars Get on Finding Your Roots: 'We Have a Long Waiting List' (Exclusive)

“So, my great-grandfather fought in World War I,” Morgan replies, letting the realization sink in.

“Turn the page. Let's see,” Gates continues. “Tracy, would you please read the transcription in that white box?”

“Date of sailing. September 29, 1918,” Morgan reads. “Port of embarkation: Hoboken, New Jersey. Name: Alexander Julius. Rank: Private.”

“You got it right. Your great-grandfather was not only drafted, he got shipped out to France,” Gates replies. “How's that make you feel?”

The comedian begins to well up with tears, and his voice becomes gravelly. “No words. Just proud. Just proud,” he says. “I wish all the males in my family could hear this, that he was there with his duty.”

Related: How a Family Secret About His White Ancestor Paved the Way for Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s Finding Your Roots (Exclusive)

During this week's Finding Your Roots episode, Morgan also apparently learns he's genetic cousins with his friend Nas, which the comedian disclosed during a conversation on the Connect the Dotspodcast in December.

"I turn the last page, and guess who's sitting there? Nas. Me and Nas is third cousins on my mom's side," Morgan said then.

"But me and Esco was always tight before that," he added. "I did a show years ago on Comedy Central called One Mic, that was for Nas's mom that just passed away. So me and Esco always been tight."

Related: How LeVar Burton's Finding Your Roots Journey Made Him Feel Closer to the Father He Hadn't Seen 'in Decades'

Morgan revealed that he later called up his longtime pal to share the surprising news.

"When I found out on the West Side Highway, after the show, I called him up and I say, 'Yo Esco,' he said 'What up Trey?' I said, 'Guess what?' He said, 'What?' And I said, 'I just did Finding Your Roots, me and you related,'" Morgan remembered telling Nas, 50.

"He started crying, I started crying. And I said to him, 'If you ever need me, I'm there, cuz.' He said, 'Cuz, if you ever need me I'm there.'"

Morgan is one of many guests on Finding Your Roots this season who have had epiphanies about their family trees. Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk realized he’s linked to European royals and is the 11th cousin of King Charles; Ciara discovered her great-grandfather lived and worked on a cotton farm in South Carolina. And The View panelist Sunny Hostin was informed that she's only 7 percent indigenous Puerto Rican and that her ancestors “likely” owned slaves.

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Finding Your Roots airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on PBS.

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