Dave Chappelle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dave Chappelle
Chappelle in 2018
Birth name	David Khari Webber Chappelle
Born	(1973-08-24) August 24, 1973 (age 51) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Medium	Stand-up television film
Education	Eastern High School Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Genres	Observational comedy surreal humor sketch comedy black comedy insult comedy racial humor satire
Subject(s)	American politics African-American culture pop culture race relations current events
Spouse	Elaine Erfe ​ (m. 2001)​
Children	3
Parent(s)	William David Chappelle III Yvonne Seon
Relative(s)	William D. Chappelle (great-grandfather) Robert John Palmer (great-great-grandfather) W. D. Chappelle Jr. (grand-uncle)
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David Khari Webber Chappelle (born August 24, 1973) is a famous American stand-up comedian and actor. He became widely known for his funny sketch comedy show, Chappelle's Show (2003–2006). He left the show during its third season.

After taking a break, Chappelle returned to performing stand-up comedy across the U.S. By 2006, Esquire magazine called him a "comic genius." In 2013, a Billboard writer said he was "the best." In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him No. 9 among the "50 Best Stand Up Comics of All Time."

Chappelle has acted in many movies. These include Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), The Nutty Professor (1996), Con Air (1997), You've Got Mail (1998), Blue Streak (1999), Undercover Brother (2002), Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005), Chi-Raq (2015), and A Star Is Born (2018). His first main role was in the 1998 comedy film Half Baked, which he also helped write.

He also starred in the ABC comedy series Buddies (1996). In 2016, he signed a big deal with Netflix to release six stand-up specials.

As a stand-up comedian, he released his first comedy special Killin' Them Softly (2000) for HBO. He then released For What It's Worth for Showtime. Since then, he has released eight stand-up specials for Netflix. He has won six Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album for his specials, including The Age of Spin (2018), Equanimity & The Bird Revelation (2019), Sticks & Stones (2019), The Closer (2021), What's in a Name? (2022), and The Dreamer (2023).

Chappelle has received many honors. These include six Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2019. This prize is given by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is America's highest comedy honor. He has also won two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting Saturday Night Live in 2016 and 2020.

Early Life and Education

David Khari Webber Chappelle was born on August 24, 1973, in Washington, D.C.. His father, William David Chappelle III, was a professor and dean at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. His mother, Yvonne Seon, worked for a prime minister in Africa and was a minister and university administrator. Chappelle has a stepmother and a stepbrother.

Chappelle grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. His parents were involved in politics, and famous people like Pete Seeger visited their home. Around this time, Chappelle was inspired by comedians Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor. After his parents separated, he lived with his mother in Washington, D.C., and spent summers with his father in Ohio. In high school, he worked as an usher at Ford's Theatre. He studied theater arts at Duke Ellington School of the Arts and graduated in 1991.

Comedy Career Highlights

Starting Out in Comedy (1990–2002)

Chappelle first appeared on TV in ABC's America's Funniest People in 1990. After high school, he moved to New York City to become a comedian. He performed at Harlem's Apollo Theater but was booed off stage. Chappelle said this experience gave him the courage to keep going. He quickly became known in New York, performing in parks and at "open mic" nights.

In 1992, he gained attention for his appearance on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam on HBO. This helped him become a regular guest on late-night shows like Late Show with David Letterman. Whoopi Goldberg even called him "The Kid." At 19, he made his movie debut in Robin Hood: Men in Tights. He also appeared on Star Search but lost to another comedian.

Chappelle was offered a role in the movie Forrest Gump but turned it down. He later made a short film called Bowl of Pork that made fun of Forrest Gump. He also opened for R&B singer Aretha Franklin when he was 19.

He tried to develop TV shows, but none were picked up. In 1995, he guest-starred on Home Improvement. This led to a spin-off show called Buddies, but it was canceled after only five episodes.

After Buddies ended, Chappelle starred in another TV pilot. He felt the network was uncomfortable with the show's cast. Soon after, his father passed away, and Chappelle thought about leaving comedy.

He appeared in the 1996 comedy The Nutty Professor with Eddie Murphy. He also had a small role in Con Air (1997). In 1998, he performed a stand-up special for HBO. He also appeared on The Larry Sanders Show, making fun of how TV networks treated writers.

In 1998, he co-wrote and starred in Half Baked, a comedy about friends trying to help another friend get out of jail. In December 1998, Chappelle was in You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks. In 1999, he appeared in the film Blue Streak.

In 2000, Chappelle recorded his first hour-long HBO special, Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly. He also starred in the 2000 comedy film Screwed. In 2002, he appeared in the comedy Undercover Brother.

Chappelle's Show Success (2003–2006)

In 2003, Chappelle launched his own weekly sketch comedy show on Comedy Central called Chappelle's Show. The show made fun of many parts of American culture, including stereotypes and pop culture. It also featured music performances by hip-hop and soul artists. Chappelle helped other black comedians, like Paul Mooney and Charlie Murphy, become more known.

Because the show was so popular, Comedy Central offered Chappelle a $55 million contract to continue it for two more years. In June 2004, Chappelle recorded his second comedy special, Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth, for Showtime.

Why Chappelle Left the Show

The third season of Chappelle's Show was supposed to start in May 2005. However, Chappelle suddenly left during production and went to South Africa. He said he was unhappy with the show's direction and felt a lot of stress. He also mentioned that his father's death years earlier had affected him, and he hadn't taken time to grieve.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2006, Chappelle explained that feeling burned out, losing creative control, and an uncomfortable work environment were reasons he left. He did not rule out returning to the show if changes were made. Comedy Central later aired some unfinished episodes from the third season, which Chappelle did not want. He said he would not return if they did that.

Chappelle's decision to leave the show meant walking away from a $50 million contract. The show still airs in reruns today.

Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2004)

The Broken Angel House in Brooklyn on May 16, 2007, which was the site of the documentary Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005)

Chappelle starred in and produced the documentary Dave Chappelle's Block Party, directed by Michel Gondry. The film shows him hosting a free concert in Brooklyn on September 18, 2004. Many music artists, like Kanye West, The Roots, and Erykah Badu, performed. Chappelle even brought people from his hometown of Yellow Springs to Brooklyn for the event. The film was released in 2006 and was a success.

Comedy Appearances (2005–2015)

Chappelle often made surprise appearances at comedy clubs. In April 2007, he set a record for the longest stand-up performance at the Laugh Factory club, performing for three hours and 50 minutes. In December of that year, he broke his own record with a performance of six hours and 12 minutes.

Chappelle in 2007

In August 2013, Chappelle returned to full-time stand-up touring. During a show in Hartford, he walked off stage because of loud audience members. He later joked about the incident during another performance. However, in August 2014, he returned to Hartford and received a standing ovation.

Chappelle (right) and Donnell Rawlings (left) stand in front of a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. (2017)

In June 2014, Chappelle performed ten nights at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, his first major appearance there in eleven years. In 2015, Chappelle appeared in the Spike Lee film Chi-Raq, his first movie role in 13 years.

Career Comeback (2016–2019)

On November 12, 2016, Chappelle hosted Saturday Night Live right after the 2016 presidential election. His performance was highly praised. He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for this appearance. He later donated the Emmy to his old high school.

On November 21, 2016, Netflix announced they would release three new stand-up comedy specials from Chappelle. He was paid $20 million per special. The first two specials, "Deep in the Heart of Texas" and "The Age of Spin," were released on March 21, 2017. Netflix later said they were the most watched comedy specials in Netflix's history.

Chappelle with Jon Stewart performing at Royal Albert Hall in 2018

Two more specials, Equanimity and The Bird Revelation, were released on December 31, 2017. In January 2018, Chappelle won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for his first two 2017 specials. In September 2018, Equanimity won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special.

In October 2018, Chappelle returned to movies in A Star Is Born, directed by Bradley Cooper. The film was very successful. In 2018, Chappelle and Jon Stewart went on a comedy tour together.

Chappelle stand-up on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in 2019

In February 2019, Chappelle won another Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for Equanimity and Bird Revelation.

In 2019, Chappelle received the annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. This award recognizes his impact on comedy. Many famous comedians and actors honored him at the ceremony. The Mayor of Washington, D.C., declared the day of the award "Dave Chappelle Day."

On August 26, 2019, Chappelle's fifth Netflix special, Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones, was released. This special later won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.

Recent Work (2020–Present)

On June 12, 2020, Netflix released 8:46, a stand-up video by Chappelle. The title refers to the time a police officer knelt on George Floyd's neck. Chappelle talked about Floyd's death and the protests that followed.

Chappelle also hosted "Chappelle Summer Camp" in Yellow Springs, Ohio, during the COVID-19 pandemic. These shows featured other comedians and musical guests.

He hosted Saturday Night Live again on November 12, 2022, and for a fourth time on January 18, 2025. In February 2023, he received his fourth Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for The Closer.

On December 31, 2023, Netflix released Chappelle's latest special, The Dreamer.

In May 2022, Chappelle was performing at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, when someone from the audience tried to attack him on stage. Security quickly stopped the person.

Comedy Influences

Chappelle has shared that his biggest comedy influences include Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Paul Mooney.

He also mentioned that Bugs Bunny was a big influence on him when he was young. He said the animators and voice actor Mel Blanc created amazing performances that inspired his own comedy.

Chappelle spoke about Richard Pryor as a major influence, saying Pryor's honesty about his life gave him courage.

Awards and Honors

Chappelle has won many awards for his stand-up and TV work. These include three consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album and five Primetime Emmy Awards.

In 2017, the Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, declared February 3 "Dave Chappelle Day." This was when Chappelle spoke at the Chappelle Auditorium at Allen University, a building named after his great-grandfather.

In 2019, Chappelle received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Many famous people honored him at the event. The award ceremony was made into a TV special and released on Netflix.

Community Involvement

Supporting Education

In 2004, Chappelle volunteered at Seeds of Peace International Camp, which brings together young leaders from different communities.

Chappelle supports his high school, Duke Ellington School of the Arts. He has given money to the school and visited to give a commencement speech. In November 2021, the school planned to rename its auditorium in his honor. After some discussion, Chappelle decided not to have the theater named after him, suggesting it be called the Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression instead.

Local Community and Politics

In December 2021, Chappelle spoke to the Yellow Springs, Ohio, village council about a proposed housing project. He said he would cancel his business investments, including a restaurant and comedy club, if the project was approved. He stated he was not against affordable housing but was concerned about the specific development plan. The council did not approve the change.

Personal Life

Chappelle married Elaine Mendoza Erfe in 2001. They have two sons and one daughter. They live on a 65-acre farm near Yellow Springs, Ohio. Chappelle also owns houses in Xenia, Ohio. He has said that he enjoys living in Yellow Springs because of the friendly community.

Chappelle converted to Islam when he was 17. He has mentioned that his faith helps him use his career to help people.

His great-grandfather, Bishop William D. Chappelle, was born into slavery in 1857. He became president of Allen University and met President Woodrow Wilson at the White House. His great-great-grandfather, Robert John Palmer, was a member of the South Carolina Legislature during a time of change. His grand-uncle, W. D. Chappelle Jr., was a doctor who opened a hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, around 1915, to help African Americans who had limited access to healthcare.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Music Videos

Stand-up Specials

Documentaries

Discography

Live Albums

Other Songs

See also

In Spanish: Dave Chappelle para niños