Dave Chappelle

Comedian • Writer • Producer • Actor

Birth Date: August 24, 1973

Age: 49 years old

Birth Place: Washington, District of Columbia

Awards

Without a doubt one of the most gifted comics of his generation, Dave Chappelle emerged from the stand-up comedy circuit to become a noted performer on several HBO specials and as a guest star on sitcoms like "Home Improvement" (ABC, 1991-99). Following small but memorable roles in movies like "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" (1993), "The Nutty Professor" (1996) and "Con Air" (1997), Chappelle earned both acclaim and a huge following from his groundbreaking program, "Chappelle's Show" (Comedy Central, 2003-06). Chappelle's sketch series became a cultural phenomenon during its short run, thanks to unforgettable and hilarious sketches like Black Bush, a blind white supremacist who was actually black, and his parody of both Lil' Jon and pop icon Rick James, whose catchphrase, "I'm Rick James, Bitch!" entered the cultural zeitgeist. Despite the show's enormous popularity, Chappelle cracked under the pressure of stressful conditions and loss of creative control, leading to his abrupt departure at the start of the third season. After a brief departure from the public spotlight, he returned to his first love, stand-up, where Chappelle continued to prove his dominance while still maintaining his large and loyal fan base.