The Sporkful The Last Meal Roy Wood Jr. Made For His Father
Nov 17, 2025
Roy Wood Jr., a comedian and correspondent known for his work on The Daily Show, dives into the heartfelt connection between food and family in his new memoir, The Man of Many Fathers. He shares touching memories of car breakfasts with his mom and the significant meals that marked his relationship with his dad. Roy discusses the impact of his father's cancer diagnosis, their complex bond, and how cooking for his own son helps him navigate his parenting journey. Through humor and reflection, he uncovers the layers of familial love and loss.
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Car-Bench Breakfast Rituals
- Roy Wood Jr. describes breakfasts eaten in his mom's 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme while she drove him to school.
- She prepped food on the front bench and he acted as the center console, eating waffles and hot dogs with forks and plates.
Moved Without Warning
- Roy recounts his mom surprising him by moving them to Birmingham to live with his father without warning.
- He cried and felt betrayed but still handed her a gas-station hot dog, keeping their teamwork ritual intact.
Public Prestige, Private Distance
- Roy's father was a pioneering Black radio journalist whose booming voice opened doors in many markets.
- His public stature contrasted with emotional distance at home, shaping Roy's complex view of him.
