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Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle is the creator and host of the new COMEDY CENTRAL series, Chappelle's Show debuting Wednesday, January 22, 2003. Perhaps best known to COMEDY CENTRAL viewers for his role in the cult classic stoner film, Half Baked, Chappelle has also appeared on the network in such shows as Comic Justice and Second Annual Comics Come Home, in addition to lending his voice and comedic talents to the network's hit series, Crank Yankers.

For years, Chappelle has been considered one of the top comedians in America. He has the distinction of starring in his own HBO one-hour, stand-up comedy special and has appeared on over 40 national programs, including numerous appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Chappelle also had a re-occurring role as commentator for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, covering such events as the Winter Olympics and the Tyson/Lewis fight in Memphis.

Moonlighting as a writer for both television and film, Chappelle has also appeared in over 11 feature films, including Undercover Brother, with Eddie Griffin; Blue Streak with Martin Lawrence; The Nutty Professor with Eddie Murphy; You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks; Con Air with Nicolas Cage; and Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights. In addition to his role in Half Baked, Chappelle also co-wrote the film with Neal Brennan, who serves as executive producer on Chappelle's Show.

Time-Out New York ascribes that "what is really arresting about comedian (Chappelle) is that he seems to possess that rare balance of depth and delivery, which often makes a Pryor or a Carlin. Adding, His jokes, all of them unapologetically about race, are painfully insightful...his natural affability allows him to sneak up from behind with the sharp stuff."

Chappelle began his comedy career in his native Washington, DC at the age of 14, and as a minor, his mother, an ordained Unitarian minister, often accompanied him to gigs. Famed New York street comedian Charlie Barnett, who helped tutor Chappelle as a performer, taught him that all great comedians must have a definitive point of view.

Chappelle currently splits his time between Ohio and New York.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2003.

Dave Chappelle Facts

OccupationActor
BirthdayAugust 24, 1973 (50)
SignVirgo
BirthplaceWashington DC, District of Columbia, USA

Selected Filmography

You've Got Mail
Screwed
Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly
The Nutty Professor
Undercover Brother
Con Air
Chappelle's Show
The Best of Chappelle's Show Uncensored
Continue » Find more details on the Dave Chappelle Movies page