Chris Rock is a world-renowned American comedian, actor, writer, producer and director who has been delighting audiences around the world for more than 30 years. He is well known for his stand-up comedy routines, television acting, and several popular films. His hilarious and edgy style often explores taboo issues with a broad range of topics from race and politics to relationships. He has won multiple Emmy Awards, and has been nominated for an Academy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award.
Early Life
Chris Rock was born on February 7, 1965 in Andrews, South Carolina. His parents divorced when he was four, so he moved to New York with his mother and siblings. While growing up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, Rock developed an interest in comedy early on and his first stand-up performance was at the age of 12. In high school, Rock was voted class president as well as the funniest person in his class. After high school, Rock attended the School of Visual Arts in New York.
Career
Rock quickly began to make a name for himself in the comedy world and in 1990, he became a cast member on the popular Saturday Night Live comedy sketch show. During his time on the show, Rock was featured in several popular sketches, and his writing skills were highly praised. He also appeared in multiple episodes of In Living Color before departing SNL in 1993.
Rock soon made the move to stand-up comedy, and his first tour was the widely successful “Bring the Pain” tour, which ran from 1996-97. The show was so popular that it earned the comedian an Emmy Award in 1997. Rock went on to perform several other well-received stand-up tours, including his “Bigger & Blacker” and “Never Scared” tours, both of which won additional Emmy awards.
Rock has also written and starred in several films, including Dogma, Madagascar, Beverly Hills Cop II, Head of State, and Grown Ups. He has also had success behind the camera, directing films like Down to Earth and Pootie Tang. He has also been in voice-over films, such as the animations Madagascar and Bee Movie.
Activism
Rock began to make steps into political activism in the late 90s when he appeared in a benefit show for disaster relief following Hurricane Mitch in Honduras. Rock has also been outspoken about topics such as racism and police brutality. He has also taken a public stand against NBA player Kobe Bryant when Bryant was accused of rape in 2003.
Personal Life
Chris Rock married Malaak Compton-Rock in 1996, and they had two children together before divorce in 2016. Rock is currently in a relationship with Megalyn Echikunwoke, and they have been together since 2015.
Awards and Accomplishments
Chris Rock’s accomplishments are many and varied. He has won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program, a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album and multiple MTV Movie Awards (MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance for Beverley Hills Cops II and President Al, respectively). He has also been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture for The Longest Yard and for a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Nurse Betty.
Chris Rock is an iconic American entertainer who has been making audiences laugh for over 30 years. He has had success in many areas of the entertainment industry, including stand-up comedy, television, and film. He has earned multiple Emmy Awards and has even been nominated for an Academy Award and a SAG Award. Beyond just being an entertainer, Rock has also become an activist in recent years and has used his platform to draw attention to topics such as racism and police brutality. With his hilarious and edgy style, Rock has become one of the most recognizable and beloved comedians in the world.
