Birthday: February 7, 1965 (Aquarius)
Born In: Andrews, South Carolina, United States
Birthday: February 7, 1965 (Aquarius)
Born In: Andrews, South Carolina, United States
Chris Rock is an American standup comedian, actor, director, producer, singer, and writer. He started his professional career as a standup comedian at age of nineteen, by performing in numerous small nightclubs in New York City. Chris caught the eye of the legendary American comedian and actor, Eddie Murphy while he was presenting his act at a nightspot. Murphy offering Rock his debut movie role in the movie ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’. However, he received his first major break when he was picked up as a member of the cast for comedy series, ‘Saturday Night Live’. His career began to mirror versatility as he took to expanding his repertoire by penning the script for the film CB4, and featuring in his opening HBO series, Big Ass Jokes. He received much publicity for his role as a commentator for Comedy Central's talk show ‘Politically Incorrect’ during the 1996 Presidential elections. His popularity and fame as an extraordinary standup performer peaked following appearances in a string of successful HBO comedy specials. Shortly after, his reputation began to fade and in order to revive his flagging career went back to delivering acts in small nightclubs covering controversial subjects such as race relations. He came back with a bang by bagging significant roles in TV serials and movies.
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Also Known As: Christopher Julius Rock
Age: 57 Years, 57 Year Old Males
Spouse/Ex-: Malaak Compton Rock (m. 1996–2016)
father: Julius Rock
mother: Rosalie Rock
siblings: Andi Rock, Andre Rock, Brian Rock, Charles Rock, Jordan Rock, Kenny Rock, Tony Rock
children: Lola Simone Rock, Zahra Savannah Rock
Born Country: United States
African American Actors Saturday Night Live Cast
Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males
Ancestry: Cameroonian American
U.S. State: South Carolina, African-American From South Carolina
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Chris Rock was born on February 7, 1965, in Andrews Town of South Carolina and soon after his family relocated to Brooklyn in New York City. The family again shifted to Bedford-Stuyvesant, a working class locality in Brooklyn and settled in that neighborhood.
All his three brothers followed him to pursue careers in the entertainment industry. His father succumbed to ulcer in 1988. He also had an older stepbrother, Charles who passed away in 2006, following an extended struggle with dipsomania.
After dropping out of school, Chris Rock did odd jobs at several fast-food joints and cafeterias to make ends meet. He laid the foundations of his career as a standup comedian in 1984, by performing in the nightclubs and comedy clubs of New York City, including at ‘Catch a Rising Star’.
Many celebrated humorists and satirists, including the likes of Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Billy Crystal, and Jerry Seinfeld had honed their skills at ‘Catch a Rising Star’. For a brief period, Chris Rock cleaned tables at the oldest comedy club of NYC, ‘The Comic Strip Live’ in order to get some extra onstage time.
He hosted a total of 59 episodes of ‘Saturday Night Live’ from 1990-93, and in these three years, he earned nationwide fame and recognition as a comedian. His striking and evocative portrayal of ‘Pookie’ a cocaine addict in the movie, ‘New Jack City’ was lauded by his fans and film critics.
Chris was quietly planning to quit SNL following the end of the 1992-93, Season but he was laid off and dropped unceremoniously much before the season came to an end.
He was featured as a guest actor in a total of 6 episodes in the 1993-94, Season of the comedy series; ‘In Living Color’ but the serial’s broadcasting was discontinued shortly after. In 1993, he scripted and co-produced the comedy film, ‘CB4’ as well as played a double role in the movie.
’CB4’ which was made on a shoestring budget was a modest blockbuster, earning revenues nearly three times the movie budgent. Chris went on to appear in a string of comedy specials endorsed by HBO from 1994 to 2008, that brought him unprecedented success and made him a household name in the entertainment industry.
He first appeared in the HBO-sponsored comedy special, ‘Big Ass Jokes’ in 1994, followed by the special ‘Bring the Pain’ in 1996. His poignant performance in ‘Bring the Pain’ merited him two Emmy awards and firmly established him as one of the most accomplished satirists in the US comedic circuit.
His popularity received a massive boost when he was chosen as an commentator for the late-night political talk-show, ‘Politically Incorrect’, to review the 1996 Presidential elections. He lent his voice to a puppet named ‘Lil Penny’ that featured in advertisements for Nike shoes from 1994 to 1998.
Chris Rock starred in two Time Warner’s HBO comedy specials, ‘Bigger & Blacker’ and ‘Never Scared’ in 1994 and 2004, respectively. His presentations in the comic specials were highly eulogized by mainstream American periodicals. He entrenched his credentials as a superlative comedian by hosting 37 episodes of ‘The Chris Rock Show’ from 1997-2000.
Chris Rock also went behind-the-scenes, demonstrating his skills as a scriptwriter, director, and voiceover actor. He has shared screen space with several celebrated Hollywood actors and actresses, including but not limited to Anthony Hopkins, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Renee Zellweger, and Salma Hayek.
Rock emceed the 77th and 88th Academy Awards ceremonies in 2005 and 2015, respectively and on both occasions garnered criticism for his controversial comments and diatribes. During the 77th Academy Awards event, he lampooned budding and veteran actors like Jude Law, Tom Cruise, and Denzel Washington.
Rock joked about Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith's shaven head during the 94th Academy Awards in March 2022. This resulted in Smith walking on the stage and slapping Rock.
Chris Rock married Malaak Compton in 1996, and split up in 2016. In December 2014, he filed for divorce from Malaak Compton-Rock. The divorce was finalised in 2016. The couple have two daughters, Lola and Zahra.
In 2016, he began dating Megalyn Echikunwoke, but they reportedly split up after four years.
Rock started dating television actress Lake Bell in July 2022.
Chris Rock Movies
(Documentary, Comedy)
(Documentary, Comedy)
(Documentary, Comedy)
(Documentary, Comedy)
(Biography, Comedy, Drama)
(Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Drama)
(Drama, Sci-Fi, Adventure)
(Comedy)
(Documentary, Comedy)
(Drama, Comedy, Music)
Awards
2009 | Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger - London, New York, Johannesburg (2008) |
1999 | Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program | The Chris Rock Show (1997) |
1997 | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Chris Rock: Bring the Pain (1996) |
1997 | Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program | Chris Rock: Bring the Pain (1996) |
2006 | Best Comedy Album | Winner |
2004 | Best Comedy Album | Winner |
2000 | Best Spoken Comedy Album | Winner |
1998 | Best Spoken Comedy Album | Winner |
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