Darrell Hammond of SNL and director Michelle Esrick on their documentary "Cracked Up." (12/12/18)
"Cracked Up" is a new documentary from filmmaker Michelle Esrick that recounts the incredible story of actor, comedian, master impressionist and "Saturday Night Live" veteran, Darrell Hammond. A victim of child abuse, Darrell ascended to comedy's greatest heights. Yet behind the scenes, he suffered from debilitating flashbacks, self injury, addiction and misdiagnosis until the right doctor isolated the key to unlocking the memories his brain had kept locked away for over 50 years. Striking an inspiring balance between comedy and tragedy, "Cracked Up" (crackedupmovie.com) helps us understand the effects of childhood trauma in a new light, breaking down barriers of stigma and replacing shame with compassion and hope. On Wednesday’s “Leonard Lopate at Large” on WBAI, Michelle Esrick and Darrell Hammond join us in the studio for a look behind the mask of one of the world’s preeminent impressionists.