Dave Chappelle

David Khari Webber Chappelle (born August 24, 1973) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and former sketch comedian. He co-created and starred in the Comedy Central sketch comedy series Chappelle's Show (2003–2006) before departing during its third season. Regarded as a prominent figure in American comedy, he was called the "comic genius of America" by Esquire in 2006, ranked ninth on Rolling Stone's list of the "50 Best Stand Up Comics of All Time" in 2017, and described as "the best" by a Billboard writer in 2013.

Chappelle was born in Washington, D.C., to William David Chappelle III, a professor and college dean, and Yvonne Seon, a minister, professor, and university administrator who worked for Congolese prime minister Patrice Lumumba. Raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., Chappelle grew up in a politically active household visited by figures such as Pete Seeger and Johnny Hartman. Inspired by Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor, he attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, studying theater arts and graduating in 1991.

After high school, Chappelle moved to New York City to pursue stand-up comedy. Despite being booed off stage during an early performance at the Apollo Theater, he built a presence on the local comedy circuit and gained broader national exposure in 1992 on HBO's Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam. He made his film debut as Ahchoo in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) and subsequently appeared in films such as The Nutty Professor (1996), Con Air (1997), You've Got Mail (1998), Blue Streak (1999), Screwed (2000), and Undercover Brother (2002). He co-wrote and starred in the 1998 comedy film Half Baked and starred in the short-lived 1996 sitcom Buddies.

In 2003, Chappelle launched Chappelle's Show, a sketch series parodying pop culture, politics, and racial stereotypes while featuring musical guest performances. After Viacom offered him a $55 million extension contract, Chappelle abruptly left production during the third season in May 2005 and traveled to South Africa, citing burnout, stress, and creative differences. Comedy Central later broadcast the remaining material in 2006 as Chappelle's Show: The Lost Episodes, though Chappelle declined to rejoin the show.

Outside of television, Chappelle produced and starred in the 2005 documentary Dave Chappelle's Block Party and returned to touring stand-up comedy across the United States. He set stand-up endurance records at the Laugh Factory in 2007 and later acted in the films Chi-Raq (2015) and A Star Is Born (2018).

In 2016, Chappelle entered a $20-million-per-release comedy special deal with Netflix. His stand-up specials include Killin' Them Softly (2000), For What It's Worth, The Age of Spin, Equanimity & The Bird Revelation, Sticks & Stones, The Closer, What's in a Name?, and The Dreamer. Over his career, Chappelle has received six Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album, six Emmy Awards—including two Primetime Emmy Awards for hosting Saturday Night Live in 2016 and 2020—and the 2019 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Center.