View source for Chris Rock

{{Short description|American comedian, actor, and filmmaker (born 1965)}}
{{For|the English comedian|Crissy Rock}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox comedian
| image        = Chris Rock 2014.jpg
| caption      = Rock in 2014
| birth_name   = Christopher Julius Rock
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1965|2|7}}
| birth_place  = [[Andrews, South Carolina]], U.S.
| occupation   = {{flatlist|
* Comedian
* actor
* writer
* producer
* director
}}
| years_active = 1984–present
| spouse       = {{marriage|Malaak Compton|1996|2016|end=div}}
| children     = 2
| relatives    = [[Tony Rock]] (brother)
| notable_works        = [[Chris Rock filmography|Filmography]]
| website      = {{URL|chrisrock.com}}
| awards       = [[List of awards and nominations received by Chris Rock|Full list]]
| medium       = {{flatlist|
* [[Stand-up comedy|Stand-up]]
* [[film]]
* [[television]]
}}
| genre        = {{flatlist|
* [[Observational comedy]]
* [[black comedy]]
* [[sketch comedy]]
* [[insult comedy]]
* [[blue comedy]]
* [[sarcasm]]
* [[racial humor]]
* [[satire]]
}}
| subject      = {{flatlist|
* [[Politics of the United States|American politics]]
* [[African-American culture]]
* [[World news|current events]]
* [[human sexuality]]
* [[marriage]]
* [[Popular culture|pop culture]]
* [[race relations]]
* [[racism]]
}}
}}

'''Christopher Julius Rock''' (born February 7, 1965) is an American comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He first gained prominence for his [[stand-up comedy|stand-up]] routines in the 1980s in which he tackled subjects including [[race relations]], [[human sexuality]], and [[observational comedy]]. His success branched off into productions [[Chris Rock filmography|in film]], television, and on-stage, having received [[List of awards and nominations received by Chris Rock|multiple accolades]] including three [[Grammy Awards]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album|Best Comedy Album]], four [[Primetime Emmy Awards]], and a [[Golden Globe Award]] nomination. Rock was ranked No. 5 on [[Comedy Central]]'s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time. He also ranked No. 5 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of the 50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/50-best-stand-up-comics-of-all-time-126359/chris-rock-3-105797/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 14, 2017 |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref>

After years working as a stand-up comedian and appearing in minor film roles including ''[[Beverly Hills Cop II]]'' (1987), Rock gained prominence as a cast member on the [[NBC]] [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' from 1990 to 1993. While at ''SNL'', he appeared in the films ''[[New Jack City]]'' (1991) and ''[[Boomerang (1992 film)|Boomerang]]'' (1992). In 1993, he appeared in ''[[CB4]]'', which he also wrote and produced. He reached mainstream stardom with ''[[Chris Rock: Bring the Pain|Bring the Pain]]'' in 1996. Rock continued making specials which include ''[[Bigger & Blacker]]'' (1999), ''[[Never Scared]]'' (2004), ''[[Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger|Kill the Messenger]]'' (2008), ''[[Chris Rock: Tamborine|Tamborine]]'' (2018), and ''Selective Outrage'' (2023). He developed, wrote, produced and narrated the sitcom ''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]'' (2005–2009), which was based on his early life. From 1997 to 2000 HBO aired his talk show ''[[The Chris Rock Show]]''.

Rock was cast in starring film roles in ''[[Lethal Weapon 4]]'' (1998), ''[[Dogma (film)|Dogma]]'' (1999), ''[[The Longest Yard (2005 film)|The Longest Yard]]'' (2005), the ''[[Madagascar (franchise)|Madagascar]]'' franchise (2005–2012), ''[[I Think I Love My Wife]]'' (2007), ''[[Grown Ups (film)|Grown Ups]]'' (2010), ''[[Death at a Funeral (2010 film)|Death at a Funeral]]'' (2010), ''[[Top Five]]'' (2014), ''[[The Week Of]]'' (2018), ''[[Spiral (2021 film)|Spiral]]'' (2021), ''[[Amsterdam (2022 film)|Amsterdam]]'' (2022), and ''[[Rustin (film)|Rustin]]'' (2023). He has taken roles on television including ''[[Empire (2015 TV series)|Empire]]'', ''[[Kevin Can Wait]]'', and ''[[Fargo (TV series)|Fargo]]''. He made his [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] theater debut in the 2011 [[Stephen Adly Guirgis]] play ''[[The Motherfucker with the Hat]]''. He has hosted the [[Academy Awards]] twice, in [[77th Academy Awards|2005]] and [[88th Academy Awards|2016]], and was involved in a highly controversial incident in which he was [[Chris Rock–Will Smith slapping incident|physically assaulted]] by [[Will Smith]] at the [[94th Academy Awards|2022]] Awards.

==Early life==
Rock was born in [[Andrews, South Carolina]], on February 7, 1965.<ref name=yahoomovies>{{cite web|title=Chris Rock|publisher=[[Yahoo! Movies]]|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800019115/bio| archive-date= May 22, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522142849/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800019115/bio}}</ref> Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to the [[Crown Heights, Brooklyn|Crown Heights]] neighborhood of [[Brooklyn]], New York. A few years later, they relocated and settled in the [[working class]] area of [[Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn|Bedford–Stuyvesant]].<ref name="bravo">{{cite episode| title = Chris Rock| series = Inside the Actors Studio| series-link = Inside the Actors Studio| network = [[Bravo (US TV channel)|Bravo]]| airdate = March 13, 2007| season = 13| number = 6}}</ref> His mother, Rosalie (''[[née]]'' Tingman), was a teacher and social worker for people with [[Developmental disability|developmental disabilities]]; his father, Julius Rock, was a truck driver and newspaper deliveryman.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Rolling Rock: Chris Rock Hits His Hollywood Stride|first=Cindy|last=Pearlman|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/chrisrock/articles/story/5920132/rolling_rock_chris_rock_hits_his_hollywood_stride |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 29, 2001|access-date=June 17, 2010 |url-status=dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071214191014/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/chrisrock/articles/story/5920132/rolling_rock_chris_rock_hits_his_hollywood_stride |archive-date = December 14, 2007}}</ref> Julius died in 1988 after [[Peptic ulcer disease|ulcer]] surgery.<ref name=yahoomovies />

Rock is the eldest of his parents' seven children (six boys and one girl),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Myrtle Beach online - Rose Rock|url=https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article120280763.html|access-date=June 17, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195524/https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article120280763.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and he had an older paternal half-brother, Charles Ledell Rock, who died in 2006 after suffering from alcoholism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/10/04/chris_rock_feels_he_failed_deceased_brot |title=Chris Rock Feels He 'Failed' Deceased Brother |website=World Entertainment News Network |publisher=Starpulse.com |date=October 4, 2007 |access-date=September 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125004707/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/10/04/chris_rock_feels_he_failed_deceased_brot |archive-date=January 25, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=February 7, 2020|title=55 Fascinating Facts About Chris Rock|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1120452/55-fascinating-facts-about-chris-rock|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=E! Online|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201420/https://www.eonline.com/news/1120452/55-fascinating-facts-about-chris-rock|url-status=live}}</ref> Rock's younger brothers [[Tony Rock|Tony]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/08/AR2008080803979.html |title=Tony Rock, Standing Up To His Name |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 9, 2008 |last=Oppenheim |first=Gabe |access-date=June 17, 2010 |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110195840/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/08/AR2008080803979_2.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Kenny,<ref name="ToddBlue2009" /> and Jordan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/JayRockStar619|title=Jordan Rock: JayRockStar619's Channel|publisher=YouTube|date=August 31, 2006|access-date=June 17, 2010|archive-date=September 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919024131/https://www.youtube.com/user/JayRockStar619|url-status=live}}</ref> are also in the entertainment business.

Rock's family history was profiled on the [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] series ''[[African American Lives 2]]'' in 2008. A [[DNA test]] showed that he is of [[Cameroon]]ian descent, specifically from the {{ill|Udeme|fr|Ouldémé (peuple)}} people of [[North Region (Cameroon)|northern Cameroon]].<ref>Goffe, Leslie. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8117258.stm "Americans seek their African roots"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104191932/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8117258.stm |date=January 4, 2016 }}, BBC, June 29, 2009.</ref> Rock's great-great-grandfather, [[Julius C. Tingman|Julius Caesar Tingman]], was [[Slavery in the United States|enslaved]] for 21 years before serving in the [[American Civil War]] as part of the [[United States Colored Troops]], then later was elected to two terms in the [[South Carolina House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Gates |first=Henry Louis Jr. |title=In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary African Americans Reclaimed Their Past |publisher=Crown |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-307-40973-7 |chapter=Chapter 17: Chris Rock |author-link=Henry Louis Gates Jr.}}</ref> During the 1940s, Rock's paternal grandfather moved from South Carolina to New York City to become a taxicab driver and preacher.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chris Rock|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/aalives/profiles/rock.html|work=African American Lives 2|publisher=PBS|access-date=December 19, 2010|archive-date=July 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720204300/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aalives/profiles/rock.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Jaenchen |first=Lillie |date=March 8, 2023 |title=Evangelist Shares Gospel with Stand-Up Comedian Chris Rock |url=https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/evangelist-shares-gospel-with-stand-up-comedian-chris-rock.html |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=Movieguide {{!}} The Family Guide to Movies & Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref>

Rock was [[Desegregation busing|bused]] to schools in predominantly white neighborhoods of Brooklyn, where he endured bullying and beatings from white students.<ref name=bigger>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_12_54/ai_55982855/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050405184055/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_12_54/ai_55982855|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2005|title=Bigger, Better, And Hotter! Chris Rock Talks About Fame, Controversy And The Challenge Of Being No. 1|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|author=Chappell, Kevin|date=October 1999|access-date=June 9, 2010}}</ref><ref name=king>{{cite news|url=http://premium.europe.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0102/12/lkl.00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040924130836/http://premium.europe.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0102/12/lkl.00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 24, 2004 |title=Chris Rock Discusses 'Down to Earth' |publisher=CNN |work=[[Larry King Live]] |date=February 12, 2001 |access-date=June 9, 2010 }}</ref><ref name=show>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159947,00.html|title=Chris Rock Gets Show Based on Childhood|work=New York Post|date=June 18, 2005|author=Gallahue, Patrick|access-date=June 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629215425/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159947,00.html|archive-date=June 29, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> As he grew older, the bullying worsened and Rock's parents pulled him out of [[James Madison High School (Brooklyn)|James Madison High School]].<ref name=show/> He dropped out of high school altogether, but he later earned a [[General Educational Development]] (GED). Rock then worked various jobs at fast-food restaurants including [[Red Lobster]].<ref name=bigger/><ref name=king/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Meyersohn |first=Nathaniel |date=June 8, 2024 |title=The forgotten racial history of Red Lobster |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/08/business/red-lobster-black-history/index.html |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=CNN Business |language=en}}</ref>

==Career==
===1984–1999: ''Saturday Night Live'' and standup ===
[[File:30 Rock Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary (52632155330).jpg|thumb|right|Rock was a cast member on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (1990–1993).]]
Rock began working as a stand-up comic during 1984 in New York City's [[Catch a Rising Star (comedy clubs)|Catch a Rising Star]].<ref name=bigger/> Upon seeing his act at a nightclub, [[Eddie Murphy]] befriended and mentored the aspiring comic. Murphy gave Rock his first film role and big break in ''[[Beverly Hills Cop II]]'' (1987).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Tim |date=May 20, 2022 |title=The Big Break: Chris Rock Made Film Debut in 'Beverly Hills Cop 2' 35 Years Ago |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/actors/chris-rock-beverly-hills-cop-2-1235264494/ |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Rock rose up the ranks of the comedy circuit in addition to earning bit roles in the film ''[[I'm Gonna Git You Sucka]]WITH DAMON WAYANS'' (1988) and the TV series ''[[Miami Vice]]''.

Rock was a cast member of the [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' from 1990 to 1993. He and other new cast members [[Chris Farley]], [[Adam Sandler]], [[Rob Schneider]] and [[David Spade]] became known as the [[History of Saturday Night Live#"Bad Boys" era: 1990–1995|Bad Boys of SNL]].<ref name="ToddBlue2009">{{cite book|author1=Anne M. Todd|author2=Rose Blue|author3=Corinne J. Naden|title=Chris Rock: Comedian and Actor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8Y_zke9klLEC&pg=PA21|date=January 1, 2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-0074-6|access-date=March 15, 2016|archive-date=June 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609045533/https://books.google.com/books?id=8Y_zke9klLEC&pg=PA21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Roberts|first1=Andrew|title=The Story Behind Chris Rock's Firing From 'Saturday Night Live'|url=http://uproxx.com/tv/2014/11/the-story-behind-chris-rocks-firing-from-saturday-night-live/|publisher=[[Uproxx]]|access-date=November 5, 2015|date=November 1, 2014|archive-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910163333/http://uproxx.com/tv/2014/11/the-story-behind-chris-rocks-firing-from-saturday-night-live/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Fallon|first1=Kevin|title=The Secrets of 'Saturday Night Live': Where Comedy Legends Are Born|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/14/the-secrets-of-saturday-night-live-where-comedy-legends-are-born.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=November 5, 2015|date=June 14, 2015|archive-date=November 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110063113/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/14/the-secrets-of-saturday-night-live-where-comedy-legends-are-born.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1991, he released his first comedy album, ''[[Born Suspect]]'' and won acclaim for his role as a [[Crack cocaine|crack]] addict in the film ''[[New Jack City]]''. His tenure on ''SNL'' gave Rock national exposure. (Rock has hosted ''SNL'' four times: in 1996, 2014, 2020 and 2024.)<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2024 |title=Chris Rock Says Being on SNL Was "the Best Time" — Here's When He Was a Cast Member |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/when-was-chris-rock-on-snl-years-cast-member-host |access-date=December 15, 2024 |website=NBC Insider Official Site |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Chris Rock 2001.jpg|thumb|upright|Rock in 1995|left]]With plans to leave ''Saturday Night Live'' after the [[Saturday Night Live season 18|1992–93 season]], Rock was effectively "fired" from the show.<ref name="uproxx">{{cite web |url=http://uproxx.com/tv/the-story-behind-chris-rocks-firing-from-saturday-night-live/ |title=The Story Behind Chris Rock's Firing From 'Saturday Night Live' |work=[[Uproxx]] |first=Andrew |last=Roberts |date=November 1, 2014 |access-date=September 22, 2016 |archive-date=September 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923104624/http://uproxx.com/tv/the-story-behind-chris-rocks-firing-from-saturday-night-live/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laughspin.com/2011/11/03/chris-rock-why-i-left-saturday-night-live/ |title=Chris Rock: Why I left Saturday Night Live |work=Laughspin |author=Dylan P. Gadino |date=November 3, 2011 |access-date=September 22, 2016 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904035713/http://www.laughspin.com/2011/11/03/chris-rock-why-i-left-saturday-night-live/ |archive-date=September 4, 2016 }}</ref> Beginning that fall, he appeared in six episodes of the predominantly African American sketch show ''[[In Living Color]]'' as a special guest star.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/62630/22-things-you-might-not-know-about-living-color |title=22 Things You Might Not Know About 'In Living Color' |work=[[Mental Floss]] |first=Roger |last=Cormier |date=April 15, 2015 |access-date=September 22, 2016 |archive-date=September 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907121256/http://mentalfloss.com/article/62630/22-things-you-might-not-know-about-living-color |url-status=live }}</ref> The show was canceled a month after he arrived.<ref name="uproxx" /> Rock then wrote and starred in the low-budget comedy ''[[CB4]]'', which made $18 million against its budget of $6 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=cb4.htm |title=CB4 (1993) |website=Box Office Mojo |date=April 13, 1993 |access-date=March 4, 2012 |archive-date=January 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130213418/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=cb4.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He signed on as client of [[3 Arts Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fleming|first=Michael|date=April 12, 2000|title=3 Arts taps Henson exec|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/3-arts-taps-henson-exec-1117780499/|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127030810/https://variety.com/2000/film/news/3-arts-taps-henson-exec-1117780499/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Rock headlined his first [[HBO]] comedy special in 1994, titled ''Big Ass Jokes'', as part of ''[[HBO Comedy Half-Hour]]''. His second special, 1996's ''[[Chris Rock: Bring the Pain|Bring the Pain]]'', made Rock one of the most acclaimed and commercially successful comedians in the industry.<ref name="roll"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/chris-rock-bring-the-pain-v178087|title=Chris Rock: Bring the Pain|website=AllMovie|access-date=January 3, 2021|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130051847/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/chris-rock-bring-the-pain-v178087|url-status=live}}</ref> Rock won two [[Emmy Awards]] for the special and gained large critical acclaim.<ref name="SweeneyGuardian2001">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/jun/01/artsfeatures1|title=Chris Rock: The funniest man in America?|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=June 1, 2001|access-date=October 20, 2007|first=Kathy|last=Sweeney|archive-date=June 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612184646/http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,499318,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A controversial part of the special was "[[Niggas vs. Black People]]".<ref name="SweeneyGuardian2001" />
For his much-publicized role as a commentator for [[Comedy Central]]'s ''[[Politically Incorrect]]'' during the [[1996 United States presidential election|1996 Presidential elections]],<ref name="roll" /> he earned another Emmy nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/politically-incorrect-bill-maher-0 |title=Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher |access-date=January 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403023704/http://www.emmys.com/shows/politically-incorrect-bill-maher-0 |archive-date=April 3, 2016 }}</ref> Rock also was the voice for the "Lil Penny" puppet who was the alter ego to basketball star [[Penny Hardaway]] in a series of [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] shoe commercials from 1994 to 1998,<ref name="roll">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n7_v52/ai_19383834|title=Chris Rock: hot comic is on the roll of his life|author=Chappell, Kevin|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|date=May 1997|access-date=October 20, 2007|archive-date=December 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214054017/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n7_v52/ai_19383834|url-status=live}}</ref> and hosted the '97 MTV Video Music Awards.Rock's first music video was for his song "Your Mother's Got a Big Head" from his album ''Born Suspect.'' Rock also made videos for his songs "Champagne" from ''Roll With the New'' and "[[No Sex (In the Champagne Room)]]" from ''Bigger & Blacker''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chris Rock's Funniest Rap Moments |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2014/07/chris-rocks-funniest-rap-moments |access-date=March 19, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref>

Rock later had two more [[HBO]] comedy specials: ''[[Bigger & Blacker]]'' in 1999, and ''[[Never Scared]]'' in 2004. Articles relating to both specials called Rock "the funniest man in America" in ''Time''<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/pro.crock.html|title=America's Best Artist's and Entertainers|magazine=Time|author=Handy, Bruce|year=2001|access-date=October 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010123021/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/pro.crock.html |archive-date = October 10, 2007}}</ref> and ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''.<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/03/19/chris-rock-fire/|title=Chris Rock On Fire|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Wolk|first=Josh|date=March 19, 2004|access-date=October 13, 2007|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016233538/http://www.ew.com/article/2004/03/19/chris-rock-fire|url-status=live}}</ref> HBO also aired his talk show, ''[[The Chris Rock Show]]'', which gained critical acclaim for Rock's interviews with celebrities and politicians. The show won an Emmy for writing. His television work has won him a total of three [[Emmy Award]]s and 15 nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.emmys.com/bios/chris-rock|title= Chris Rock|website= Emmys.com|accessdate= May 30, 2021|archive-date= June 2, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215947/https://www.emmys.com/bios/chris-rock|url-status= live}}</ref> By the end of the decade, Rock was established as one of the preeminent stand-up comedians and comic minds of his generation. During this time, Rock also translated his comedy into print form in the book ''Rock This!'' and released the [[Grammy Award]]-winning comedy albums, ''[[Roll with the New]]'', ''Bigger & Blacker'' and ''Never Scared''. Rock's fifth HBO special, ''[[Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger|Kill the Messenger]]'', premiered on September 27, 2008, and won him another Emmy for outstanding writing for a variety or music program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/tag/kill+the+messenger/|title=Chris Rock to do his fifth HBO special in September – TCA Report|publisher=[[TVSquad.com]]|author=Sample, Kristin|date=July 10, 2008|access-date=July 25, 2008|archive-date=November 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112071323/http://www.tvsquad.com/tag/kill+the+messenger/|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was not until the success of his stand-up act in the late 1990s that Rock began receiving [[leading man]] status in films. He began the decade with supporting roles in such films as ''[[New Jack City]]'' (1991) as crack addict Pookie, in the [[Eddie Murphy]] comedy ''[[Boomerang (1992 film)|Boomerang]]'' (1992), the [[Steve Martin]] comedy ''[[Sgt. Bilko]]'' (1996) as well as ''[[Beverly Hills Ninja]]'' (1997), and ''[[Lethal Weapon 4]]'' (1998). He also appeared in the [[Kevin Smith]] fantasy comedy film ''[[Dogma (film)|Dogma]]'' (1999). The film received positive reviews and premiered at the [[Cannes Film Festival]]. The film starred an ensemble cast with actors such as [[Ben Affleck]], [[Matt Damon]], [[Alan Rickman]], [[Salma Hayek]], and [[George Carlin]].

=== 2000–2009: Sitcom and stardom ===
[[File:Cameron Diaz Chris Rock 2012 Shankbone.JPG|thumb|right|[[Cameron Diaz]] and Rock in 2012 at the premiere of ''What to Expect When You're Expecting'']]
He then starred in the [[dark comedy]] ''[[Nurse Betty]]'' (2000) starring [[Renée Zellweger]], [[Greg Kinnear]] and [[Morgan Freeman]] which also debuted at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] on May 11, 2000. The film was a critical success. In the later 2000s, Rock started to work increasingly behind the camera. He wrote the film ''[[Down to Earth (2001 film)|Down to Earth]]'' (2001) along with friend and comedian [[Louis C.K.]] The film was based on the [[Warren Beatty]] film, ''[[Heaven Can Wait (1978 film)|Heaven Can Wait]]'' (1978). That same year Rock also produced and starred in the C.K. directed film ''[[Pootie Tang]]'' (2001). Rock also would work as a writer and director of the political comedy ''[[Head of State (2003 film)|Head of State]]'' (2003) and marital comedy ''[[I Think I Love My Wife]]'' (2007). He also played the lead in both films. He also went on to star in films like ''[[The Longest Yard (2005 film)|The Longest Yard]]'' (2005) opposite [[Adam Sandler]], and the action comedy film ''[[Bad Company (2002 film)|Bad Company]]'' (2002) opposite [[Anthony Hopkins]].

''' ''Everybody Hates Chris'' (2005–2009)'''

In September 2005, the [[UPN]] television network premiered a comedy series called ''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]'', loosely based on Rock's school days, for which he was the executive producer and narrator. The show garnered both critical and ratings success.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Icon Chris Rock|url=http://www.maximonline.com/articles/index.aspx?a_id=7480&src=maxim_ed|magazine=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]|date=April 2007|access-date=March 15, 2007|archive-date=June 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602132312/http://www.maximonline.com/articles/index.aspx?a_id=7480&src=maxim_ed|url-status=live}}</ref> The series was nominated for a 2006 [[Golden Globe]] for Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy), a 2006 [[People's Choice Award]] for Favorite New Television Comedy, and two 2006 [[Primetime Emmy Awards]] for costuming and cinematography.<ref>{{cite web|title=Golden Globe Awards for 'Everybody Hates Chris'|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/tv-show/everybody-hates-chris|website=[[Golden Globe]]|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802175435/https://www.goldenglobes.com/tv-show/everybody-hates-chris|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nominations Are Announced for "The 32nd Annual People's Choice Awards," to Be Broadcast January 10 on the CBS Television Network|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/11/10/nominations-are-announced-for-the-32nd-annual-peoples-choice-awards-to-be-broadcast-january-10-on-the-cbs-television-network-19780/20051110cbs02/ |website=[[The Futon Critic]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Everybody Hates Chris (Awards & Nominations)|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/everybody-hates-chris|website=[[Emmy]]|access-date=May 17, 2020|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814173053/https://www.emmys.com/shows/everybody-hates-chris|url-status=live}}</ref>

Starting in 2005, Rock has also voiced the eccentric zebra [[List of Madagascar characters#Marty|Marty]] in [[DreamWorks Animation|DreamWorks]]' animated film franchise ''[[Madagascar (franchise)|Madagascar]]''. He starred in two of the film's sequels, ''[[Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa]]'' (2008), and ''[[Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted]]'' (2013). In 2007, Rock voiced Mooseblood the Mosquito in the [[Jerry Seinfeld]] animated film, ''[[Bee Movie]]''.

In 2009, Rock released his first documentary, 2009's ''[[Good Hair (film)|Good Hair]]''. The film focuses on the issue of how African-American women have perceived their [[Afro-textured hair|hair]] and historically styled it. The film explores the current styling industry for black women, images of what is considered acceptable and desirable for African American women's hair in the United States, and their relation to [[African American culture]]. The film premiered at the 2009 [[Sundance Film Festival]] where it earned critical acclaim and received a Special Jury Prize. The [[National Board of Review]] named it one of the five best documentaries of the year. Rock was also nominated for the [[Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Documentary|Gotham Award for Best Documentary]] and for the [[Writers Guild of America Award for Best Documentary Screenplay|Best Documentary Screenplay]] from the [[Writers Guild of America Awards 2009|Writers Guild of America]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvsourcemagazine.com/2010/02/1904-2010-writers-guild-award-winners/|title=2010 Writers Guild Award Winners|date=February 21, 2010|website=TV Source Magazine|access-date=February 20, 2019|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221054749/https://tvsourcemagazine.com/2010/02/1904-2010-writers-guild-award-winners/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rock has since stated working on a documentary about debt called ''Credit Is the Devil''.<ref>{{cite news | last = Furey | first = Phil | title = Chris Rock sets comic sights on devilish credit | work = Reuters | date = April 16, 2010 | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63F5OA20100417 | access-date = May 10, 2010 | archive-date = April 22, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100422033958/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63F5OA20100417 | url-status = live }}</ref>

=== 2010–2019: Career expansion ===
Some of his 2010s film appearances include the [[black comedy]] ''[[Death at a Funeral (2010 film)|Death at a Funeral]]'' (2010) a remake of the [[Death at a Funeral (2007 film)|British comedy of the same name]]. The film starred [[Peter Dinklage]], [[Martin Lawrence]], [[Tracy Morgan]], [[Kevin Hart]], [[Zoe Saldana]], and [[Luke Wilson]]. The film received mixed reviews, although [[Roger Ebert]], critic of ''[[The Chicago Sun-Times]]'', praised the film writing: "I laughed all the way through, in fact. This is the best comedy since ''The Hangover'', and although it's almost a scene-by-scene remake of a 2007 British movie with the same title, it's funnier than the original."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/death-at-a-funeral-2010|title= Death at a Funeral|website= Rogerebert.com|accessdate= May 30, 2021|archive-date= June 2, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214931/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/death-at-a-funeral-2010|url-status= live}}</ref> Rock also starred in the summer comedy ''[[Grown Ups (2010 film)|Grown Ups]]'' (2010) alongside [[Adam Sandler]], [[Kevin James]], [[David Spade]] and [[Maya Rudolph]], and reunited with them for a [[Grown Ups 2|sequel in 2013]].

In 2011, Rock appeared on Broadway in [[Stephen Adly Guirgis]]' play ''[[The Motherfucker with the Hat]]''<ref name="NYTimes Hat announce">Healy, Patrick. [http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/chris-rock-is-ringed-in-by-broadways-hat/ "Chris Rock Takes On Broadway in 'Hat'"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105215931/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/chris-rock-is-ringed-in-by-broadways-hat/ |date=January 5, 2014 }}, ''The New York Times'' blog, October 22, 2010.</ref> with [[Bobby Cannavale]] and [[Annabella Sciorra]].<ref name="NYTimes Hat announce" /> Rock was nominated for a Drama League Award. In an interview with ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' magazine, Rock stated that he chose to do Broadway because he wanted more people to see him "really act. Sometimes when you do comedy, that can be a little formulaic, and it's hard for really good directors to see that you can act."<ref name="Vibe">Osorio, Kim. [http://www.vibe.com/2012/01/v-exclusive-chris-rocks-school-rock-interview-pg2/ "V Exclusive! Chris Rock's 'School Of Rock' Interview"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921124316/http://www.vibe.com/2012/01/v-exclusive-chris-rocks-school-rock-interview-pg2/ |date=September 21, 2016 }}, "Vibe" January 24, 2012.</ref>
[[File:Chris Rock - Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis 3 17 (33376790795).jpg|thumb|left|Rock performing in 2017]]
He produced the series ''[[Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell]]'', which premiered in August 2012. While serving as producer, he had a production company, '''Chris Rock Enterprises''' (or '''CR Enterprises''') for short.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Piper-Shimizu|first=Stephane|date=September 26, 2017|title=Chris Rock|url=https://variety.com/exec/chris-rock/|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127030314/https://variety.com/exec/chris-rock/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, he starred in the ensemble romantic comedy film ''[[What to Expect When You're Expecting (film)|What to Expect When You're Expecting]]'' alongside [[Cameron Diaz]], [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Anna Kendrick]], and [[Elizabeth Banks]]. Despite earning negative reviews, the film was a financial success. Rock earned a [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor – Comedy]] nomination for his performance. That same year he starred in the romantic comedy ''[[2 Days in New York]]'' (2012) opposite [[Julie Delpy]]. The film served as the sequel to Delpy's previous film, ''[[2 Days in Paris]]'' (2007). The film premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] where it received positive reviews, with critics praising the chemistry between the two with [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' writing: "The best of the humor is verbal and attitudinal, all delivered at a rapid clip in overlapping languages that Preston Sturges or Howard Hawks would have admired."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/2-days-new-york-film-284897/|title= 2 Days in New York: Film Review|website= The Hollywood Reporter|date= January 25, 2012|accessdate= May 30, 2021|archive-date= June 2, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214641/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/2-days-new-york-film-284897/|url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2014, Rock scripted, directed and starred in the film ''[[Top Five]]'', which critics have drawn comparison to [[Woody Allen]]'s ''[[Stardust Memories]]'' (1980). The film is a social commentary on fame and society.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://slate.com/culture/2014/12/chris-rocks-top-five-reviewed.html|title=Chris Rock's Top Five Is Jammed With Great Comedians and Is Still Funnier Than I Expected|first=David|last=Haglund|date=December 12, 2014|website=Slate Magazine|access-date=March 8, 2019|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327085724/https://slate.com/culture/2014/12/chris-rocks-top-five-reviewed.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film premiered at the 2014 [[Toronto International Film Festival]]. Scott Foundas, critic for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised the film writing: "Rock has finally found a big-screen vehicle for himself that comes close to capturing the electric wit, shrewd social observations and deeply autobiographical vein of his standup comedy."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/toronto-film-review-top-five-1201300219/|title= Toronto Film Review: 'Top Five'|website= Variety|date= September 7, 2014|accessdate= May 30, 2021|archive-date= June 2, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213305/https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/toronto-film-review-top-five-1201300219/|url-status= live}}</ref> In ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine, [[Peter Travers]] wrote in his review: "Rock delivers the laughs, big ones, laced with razor-sharp observations on everything from pop culture to racial politics... His confident, prowling wit as a stand-up has finally found its way to the screen, enhanced by a bracing vulnerability. ''Top Five'' is Rock's best movie by a mile."<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/top-five-255610/|title= Top Five|magazine= Rolling Stone|date= December 11, 2014|accessdate= May 30, 2021|archive-date= June 2, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214313/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/top-five-255610/|url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2015 Rock attended the ''[[Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special]]'' on [[NBC]] where he introduced and paid tribute to fellow comedian and former SNL cast member [[Eddie Murphy]]. Also in 2015, Rock appeared as himself in [[Sofia Coppola]]'s Christmas musical special, ''[[A Very Murray Christmas]]'' starring [[Bill Murray]]. In the film, Rock sings "[[Do You Hear What I Hear?]]" with Murray. The film debuted on [[Netflix]] and received the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie]]. He also appeared as himself in another [[Netflix]] film, ''[[Sandy Wexler]]'' (2017) starring [[Adam Sandler]]. In 2018, he starred in the Netflix comedy ''[[The Week Of]]'' directed by [[Robert Smigel]] starring Sandler. The film follows two fathers during the week of the wedding of their children.

The following year, he briefly appeared in the comedy film ''[[Dolemite Is My Name]]'' (2019) starring [[Eddie Murphy]]. In the film, Murphy portrayed [[Rudy Ray Moore]] and centers around his career as a standup, and director of [[blaxploitation]] starting with ''[[Dolemite]]'' (1975). The film premiered at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]]. He directed and appeared in the music video for the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] song "[[Hump de Bump]],"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pickard |first=Anna |date=May 8, 2007 |title=Red Hot Chili Peppers - Hump De Bump |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/may/09/popandrock |access-date=March 19, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and has simply appeared in several videos, including the [[Big Daddy Kane]] music video "[[Smooth Operator (Big Daddy Kane song)|Smooth Operator]]" as a guy getting his hair cut, one of the many celebrities seen [[lip-synch]]ing in [[Johnny Cash]]'s "[[God's Gonna Cut You Down]]," a cameo in [[Madonna]]'s "[[Bitch I'm Madonna]]," and as a Wild West sheriff chasing down an 1889 cowboy version of [[Lil Nas X]] in "[[Old Town Road]]".

On October 30, 2016, [[Netflix]] announced that they would be releasing two new stand-up comedy specials from Rock, with Rock being paid $40 million per special.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/chris-rock-netflix-standup-specials-1201888061/ |title=Netflix Nabs Chris Rock for Two Comedy Specials in $40 Million Deal |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=October 30, 2016 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=November 22, 2016 |archive-date=November 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117193930/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/chris-rock-netflix-standup-specials-1201888061/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/chris-rock-sets-netflix-stand-938106|title=Chris Rock Sets Comedian Record With $40M for Two Netflix Specials|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 30, 2016|access-date=October 30, 2016|archive-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108090229/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/chris-rock-sets-netflix-stand-938106|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Nellie Andreeva |url=https://deadline.com/2016/10/chris-rock-stand-up-specials-netflix-1201835862/ |title=Chris Rock Returns To Stand-Up In Big Deal With Netflix For 2 Comedy Specials |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=October 30, 2016 |access-date=October 30, 2016 |archive-date=October 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018040546/http://deadline.com/2016/10/chris-rock-stand-up-specials-netflix-1201835862/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first special, ''[[Chris Rock: Tamborine]]'', was released on Netflix on February 14, 2018. It was filmed at the [[Brooklyn Academy of Music]] and was directed by comedian [[Bo Burnham]]. The specials marked the comedian's first concert specials released in 10 years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chris Rock's First Special in 10 Years Will Come Out Wednesday|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/13/arts/chris-rock-netflix-special.html|first=Jason|last=Zinoman|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 13, 2018|access-date=February 14, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215004243/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/13/arts/chris-rock-netflix-special.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The special earned a [[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album]] nomination.

=== 2020–present ===
In 2020, Rock portrayed central character Loy Cannon in the [[Fargo (season 4)|fourth season]] of the [[FX (TV channel)|FX]] crime anthology series ''[[Fargo (TV series)|Fargo]]''.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/think/ncna1241184 'Fargo' with Chris Rock isn't the most exciting season, it may be the most important]</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/24/arts/television/fargo-review-season-four.html 'Fargo' Season 4 Review: Chris Rock, Gangsters and a Social Conscience]</ref> In 2021, he starred in a reboot of the ''[[Saw (franchise)|Saw franchise]]'', ''[[Spiral (2021 film)|Spiral]]'' (2021), which dabbled into the territory of the [[Horror film|horror film genre]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|date=May 12, 2021|title='Spiral' Review: Chris Rock Stars in a 'Saw' Reboot That Tries to Find a New Way to Bring the Pain|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/spiral-review-chris-rock-samuel-l-jackson-1234967918/|access-date=November 27, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512194733/https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/spiral-review-chris-rock-samuel-l-jackson-1234967918/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rock responded to the Will Smith slap in his March 4, 2023, Netflix special ''Chris Rock: Selective Outrage'';<ref>The New York Times. "Review: Chris Rock's ‘Selective Outrage’ Strikes Back". March 4, 2023. By Jason Zinomann. [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/05/arts/television/chris-rock-netflix.html]</ref> it was Netflix's first-ever live event. The show streamed live from the [[Hippodrome Theatre (Baltimore)|Hippodrome Theatre]] in Baltimore, Maryland.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How to Watch Chris Rock LIVE on Netflix |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/how-to-watch-chris-rock-live |access-date=February 16, 2023 |website=Netflix Tudum |language=en}}</ref> The special received three [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations including two for Rock for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live)|Outstanding Variety Special (Live)]] and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special|Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special]].

In 2023, it was announced that Rock would direct a biopic on [[civil rights movement|civil rights leader]] [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] with [[Steven Spielberg]] producing. The film will be based on the biography ''[[King: A Life]]'' by [[Jonathan Eig]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2023/film/news/chris-rock-martin-luther-king-jr-biopic-steven-spielberg-1235746488/|title= Chris Rock to Direct Martin Luther King Jr. Biopic, Steven Spielberg to Executive Produce|website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date= October 5, 2023|accessdate= February 10, 2024}}</ref>

In 2024, it was announced that Rock would direct an English language adaptation of [[Thomas Vinterberg]]'s [[Academy Award]]-winning film ''[[Another Round (film)|Another Round]]'' (2020).<ref>{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2024/01/chris-rock-directs-another-round-remake-mads-mikkelsen-appian-way-makeready-fifth-season-1235807800/|title= Chris Rock To Direct 'Another Round' Remake For Appian Way, Makeready & Fifth Season|website= [[Deadline Hollywood]]|date= January 29, 2024|accessdate= February 9, 2024}}</ref> Rock also wrote and is set to direct the upcoming film ''Misty Green'', which debuts in November 2024 at the [[American Film Market]]. [[Neon (company)|Neon International]] is handling foreign rights, while CAA Media Finance is responsible for domestic rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/chris-rock-direct-star-misty-green-1236051916/|title=Chris Rock to Direct and Star in 'Misty Green' for Neon|website=Hollywood Reporter|date=November 1, 2024|author=Ryan Gajewski|access-date=November 1, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/chris-rock-direct-star-film-misty-green-1236197431/|title=Chris Rock to Direct and Star in Hollywood-Set 'Misty Green,' Neon Selling at AFM|website=Variety|date=November 1, 2024|author=Alex Ritman|access-date=November 1, 2024}}</ref>

==Academy Awards==
=== 2005 ceremony ===
In February 2005, Rock hosted the [[77th Academy Awards]] ceremony. The decision to have Rock host the awards was seen by some as a chance to bring an "edge" to the ceremony, and to make it more relevant or appealing to younger audiences. Jokingly, Rock opened by saying ''"Welcome to the 77th and LAST Academy Awards!"'' During one segment Rock asked, "Who is this guy?" in reference to actor [[Jude Law]] seemingly appearing in every movie Rock had seen that year and implied Law was a low-rent [[Tom Cruise]] (he made a joke about filmmakers rushing production when unable to get the actors they want: "If you want Tom Cruise and all you can get is Jude Law, wait [to make the film]!"). Subsequently, an angry [[Sean Penn]] took the stage to present and said, "In answer to our host's question, Jude Law is one of our finest young actors." (At the time, Penn and Law were shooting ''[[All the King's Men (2006 film)|All the King's Men]]''.) Law was not the only actor that Rock [[Roast (comedy)|roasted]] that evening, however—he turned the joke on himself at one point, saying, "If you want [[Denzel Washington|Denzel]] [Washington] and all you can get is me, wait!" Older Academy officials were reportedly displeased with Rock's performance, which did not elevate ratings for the ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2005/mar/02/awardsandprizes.oscars2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113094616/http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2005/mar/02/awardsandprizes.oscars2005|url-status=dead|title=Chris Rock effect fails to boost Oscars|date=March 2, 2005|archive-date=November 13, 2012|website=The Guardian}}</ref> Rock was also criticized for referring to the Oscars as "idiotic", and asserting that heterosexual men do not watch them, in an interview prior to Oscar night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/hey-chris-rock-shut-bleep-wbna6849862|title=Hey, Chris Rock: Shut the [bleep] up|date=February 3, 2005|access-date=November 10, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308105504/https://www.today.com/popculture/hey-chris-rock-shut-bleep-wbna6849862|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/Oscars-2005/Chris-Rock-Oscars-host-slams-Oscars/2005/02/16/1108500124826.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923063025/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Oscars-2005/Chris-Rock-Oscars-host-slams-Oscars/2005/02/16/1108500124826.html|url-status=dead|title="Chris Rock, Oscars host, slams Oscars"; ''Sydney Morning Herald''/Reuters; February 16, 2005|archive-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref>

=== 2016 ceremony ===
On October 21, 2015, the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] announced Rock would host the [[88th Academy Awards]] the following February.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34591581|title=Chris Rock to host 2016 Oscars|work=BBC News|access-date=June 21, 2018|archive-date=November 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105100158/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34591581|url-status=live}}</ref> When the subsequent acting nominations turned out to include no racial minorities, Rock was called upon to join a boycott of the ceremony. Rock declined, stating at the ceremony that it would have accomplished little since the show would have proceeded anyway, with him simply replaced.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Abad-Santos|first1=Alex|title=Oscars 2016: Chris Rock dismisses Oscars boycotts in a surprising, political monologue|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/2/28/11130954/oscars-2016-chris-rock-monologue|access-date=February 29, 2016|publisher=Vox|date=February 29, 2016|archive-date=March 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301092314/http://www.vox.com/2016/2/28/11130954/oscars-2016-chris-rock-monologue|url-status=live}}</ref> Instead, Rock spoke of his concerns about the lack of diversity in AMPAS at various times during the show, closing by saying "[[Black Lives Matter]]."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/oscars-2016-review-chris-rock-academy-awards-leonardo-dicaprio-spotlight-oscarssowhite-1201716087/ |title=TV Review: 'The 88th Academy Awards' |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301092207/http://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/oscars-2016-review-chris-rock-academy-awards-leonardo-dicaprio-spotlight-oscarssowhite-1201716087/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Rock's performance was largely praised by critics. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' critic Mary McNamara wrote: "Rock's Oscars had some of the most powerful moments seen in the telecast's history. His decision to honestly answer the question 'Is Hollywood racist?' was brave and effective,"<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-chris-rock-oscars-reviews-reactions-20160229-story.html|title= How'd Chris Rock do?|website= Los Angeles Times|date= February 29, 2016|accessdate= May 30, 2021|archive-date= June 2, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214900/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-chris-rock-oscars-reviews-reactions-20160229-story.html|url-status= live}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' television critic [[James Poniewozik]], praised Rock's performance for being "evenhanded without being wishy-washy" and that he represented "an example of something the industry is still trying to learn: that you can achieve both inclusion and entertainment by giving the right person just the right opportunity."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-chris-rock-oscars-reviews-reactions-20160229-story.html|title= How'd Chris Rock do? Critics (mostly) liked his Oscars performance|website= Los Angeles Times|date= February 29, 2016|accessdate= May 30, 2021|archive-date= June 2, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214900/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-chris-rock-oscars-reviews-reactions-20160229-story.html|url-status= live}}</ref>

=== 2022 ceremony ===
{{Main|Chris Rock–Will Smith slapping incident}}
Rock presented the award for [[Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature|Best Documentary Feature]] at the [[94th Academy Awards]] in March 2022. During the ceremony, Rock joked about [[Jada Pinkett Smith]]'s shaved head, which he compared to [[Demi Moore]]'s shaved head in ''[[G.I. Jane]]'', saying, "Jada, I love ya. ''G.I. Jane 2,'' can't wait to see it!". Pinkett Smith had shaved her head due to [[alopecia areata]]. Her husband, [[Will Smith]], responded to Rock's joke by walking onstage and slapping Rock, who remarked, "Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me." Smith then returned to his seat and yelled twice at Rock, "Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth!" Rock went on to say that this "was the greatest night in the history of television".<ref>{{cite web |title=Watch the uncensored moment Will Smith smacks Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars, drops F-bomb | date=March 27, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myjEoDypUD8 |via=YouTube |publisher=Guardian News |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329060337/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myjEoDypUD8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=France Respers |first1=Lisa |last2=Elam |first2=Stephanie |title=Will Smith appeared to strike Chris Rock on Oscars telecast |website=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/27/entertainment/will-smith-chris-rock/index.html |agency=CNN |date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328064453/https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/27/entertainment/will-smith-chris-rock/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars after joke at wife Jada Pinkett Smith's expense |author=ABC7 |date=March 27, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7VvQcWscY |via=YouTube |access-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329034929/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7VvQcWscY |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in the night, Smith was named [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for ''[[King Richard (film)|King Richard]]''. In his acceptance speech, he apologized to the Academy and the other nominees, but not to Rock.<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Ryan|last=Gajewksi|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/will-smith-oscar-best-actor-apology-slap-king-richard-1235119288/|title=Will Smith Tearfully Apologizes to Academy After Chris Rock Oscars Slap|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=March 27, 2022|access-date=March 28, 2022|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328051847/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/will-smith-oscar-best-actor-apology-slap-king-richard-1235119288/|url-status=live}}</ref> Rock declined to file a report with the [[Los Angeles Police Department]] regarding the incident.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Chris Rock Declines to File Police Report After Will Smith Slap at Oscars, LAPD Says |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/chris-rock-police-report-will-smith-slap-oscars-1235216542/ |access-date=March 28, 2022 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328050505/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/chris-rock-police-report-will-smith-slap-oscars-1235216542/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The next day, amid public backlash, Smith issued a formal apology to Rock via a public [[Instagram]] post, adding that "a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally." He also stated that "I was out of line" and that his behavior was "unacceptable and inexcusable... I will always be here for you whenever you are ready to talk about it."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Sandra |title=Will Smith issues apology to Chris Rock over slapping incident at Oscars |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/28/entertainment/will-smith-apology/index.html |agency=CNN |date=March 28, 2022 |access-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329001040/https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/28/entertainment/will-smith-apology/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During a stand-up performance in Boston later that month, Rock stated that Smith had not reached out to him personally and they had not spoken since the ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Will Smith: Chris Rock's first comments since Oscars slap |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60939316 |access-date=April 7, 2022 |agency=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

==Comedic style and views==
Rock's subject matter typically involves family, politics, romance, music, celebrities, and race relations in the United States. Though not strictly autobiographical, much of his comic standpoint seems rooted in his teenage experience; his strict parents, concerned about the inadequacies of the local school system, arranged to have the adolescent Rock bused to a nearly all-white high school in [[Bensonhurst, Brooklyn|Bensonhurst]]. In his memoir ''Rock This'', he recalls, "My parents assumed I'd get a better education in a better neighborhood. What I actually got was a worse education in a worse neighborhood. And a whole bunch of ass-whippings."<ref>Rock, Chris. ''Rock This'' Hyperion, 1997, p. 46. "I got bused from Bed-Stuy to a white school in a poor white neighborhood: Gerretson Beach, Brooklyn... What I actually got was a worse education in a worse neighborhood..."</ref>

Rock has not wavered from a position explored in his 1996 ''Roll With The New'' show, and reiterated in his 1997 memoir: "Why does the public expect entertainers to behave better than everybody else? It's {{nowrap|ridiculous{{tsp}}[{{hsp}}.{{hsp}}.{{hsp}}. of]}} course, this is just for black entertainers. You don't see anyone telling [[Jerry Seinfeld]] he's a good role model. Because everyone expects whites to behave {{nowrap|themselves{{tsp}}[{{hsp}}.{{hsp}}.{{hsp}}. nowadays,]}} you've got to be an entertainer and a leader. It's too much."<ref>Rock, Chris. ''Rock This''; Hyperion, 1997, p. 16.</ref> Often the subject of tabloids, when asked about paparazzi and the other negative aspects of fame, Rock says he accepts the bad with the good: "You can't be happy that fire cooks your food and be mad it burns your fingertips."<ref>{{cite web |title=Everybody Loves Chris |url=http://www.craveonline.com/humor/articles/04647576/everybody_loves_chris.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200018/http://www.craveonline.com/humor/articles/04647576/everybody_loves_chris.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>

At the London [[Live Earth concert, London|Live Earth]] concert on July 7, 2007, which was broadcast live on the [[BBC]], before introducing the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rock called the crowd "motherfuckers" and said "shit", and after a brief pause said he was joking. Due to the broadcast being at 5:45{{nbsp}}p.m., Rock was immediately cut off, and the BBC made several apologies for his use of the word "motherfucker".<ref>{{cite web |title=Chris Rock defends Live Earth swearing |work=NME.COM|url=https://www.nme.com/news/live-earth/29530|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216083202/https://www.nme.com/news/music/live-earth-3-1312820 |archive-date=December 16, 2018}}</ref>

Chris Rock has been an avid fan of the [[New York Mets]] baseball team since childhood. He complained that his team "had no money" during a 2011 interview with [[David Letterman]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Chris Rock Complains About The Mets On Letterman (VIDEO)|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/01/chris-rock-mets-letterman_n_843579.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=June 25, 2012|first=Michael|last=Klopman|date=April 1, 2011|archive-date=April 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406095606/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/01/chris-rock-mets-letterman_n_843579.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During a 2008 rant on his ''[[Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger|Kill the Messenger]]'' tour, Rock labeled [[George W. Bush]] as "the worst president ever".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJCRs_tp3TA|title=chris rock - bush is the worst president - YouTube|website=[[YouTube]]|date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417043650/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJCRs_tp3TA|archive-date=April 17, 2015}}</ref>

Rock has campaigned against the [[racial profiling]] of African-Americans, and often speaks of the everyday racism he experiences “despite being famous”.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 1, 2015 |title=Chris Rock is Taking a Selfie Every Time He Gets Pulled Over By The Police |url=https://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2015/04/chris-rock-selfies-police%20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20150402051427/http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2015/04/chris-rock-selfies-police%20 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |work=MotherJones}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=November 30, 2014 |title=In Conversation Chris Rock |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/11/chris-rock-frank-rich-in-conversation.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014214101/http://www.vulture.com/2014/11/chris-rock-frank-rich-in-conversation.html |archive-date=October 14, 2016 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |work=Vulture}}</ref> In a [[Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee#Season 2 .282013.29|2013 episode]] of ''[[Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee]]'' with [[Jerry Seinfeld]], Rock and Seinfeld are pulled over by the police for speeding while Seinfeld was driving. In the episode Rock admits to Seinfeld that "If you weren't here, I'd be scared. Yeah, I'm famous – still black."<ref>{{cite news |date=2013 |title=Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock Pulled Over for Speeding by New Jersey Cop |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/07/seinfeld-chris-rock-speeding-new-jersey-video.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402104225/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/07/seinfeld-chris-rock-speeding-new-jersey-video.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |work=NYmag}}</ref> In 2015, Rock was pulled over three times in the first three months of the year. Each time Rock posted a selfie of the incident, without further comment as to the reason for the stops or whether he was issued a citation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilstein |first=Matt |date=April 1, 2015 |title=Chris Rock Stopped by Police 3 Times So Far This Year — and He Has the Selfies to Prove It |url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/chris-rock-stopped-by-police-3-times-so-far-this-year-%E2%80%94-and-he-has-the-selfies-to-prove-it/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503061741/http://www.mediaite.com/online/chris-rock-stopped-by-police-3-times-so-far-this-year-%E2%80%94-and-he-has-the-selfies-to-prove-it/ |archive-date=May 3, 2017 |access-date=May 4, 2017 |website=Mediaite}}</ref>

In May 2021, Rock voiced opposition to [[cancel culture]].<ref name="Fox cc">{{Cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Tyler|date=May 20, 2021|title=Chris Rock speaks out against cancel culture, says it creates 'unfunny' and 'boring' comedy content|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/chris-rock-cancel-culture-create-unfunny-boring-content|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=[[Fox News]]|language=en-US|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521225810/http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/chris-rock-cancel-culture-create-unfunny-boring-content|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NME cc">{{Cite web|date=May 20, 2021|title=Chris Rock says cancel culture is "disrespectful" to audiences|url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/chris-rock-cancel-culture-disrespectful-audiences-2945071|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=NME|language=en-GB|archive-date=May 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520165954/https://www.nme.com/news/film/chris-rock-cancel-culture-disrespectful-audiences-2945071|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TI cc">{{Cite web|date=May 21, 2021|title=Chris Rock says 'cancel culture' creates 'unfunny' and 'boring' comedy|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/chris-rock-cancel-culture-spiral-b1851250.html|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=[[The Independent]]|language=en|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521233241/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/chris-rock-cancel-culture-spiral-b1851250.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ET cc">{{Cite web|last=Mahjouri|first=Shakiel|date=May 20, 2021|title=Chris Rock Argues Against Cancel Culture: 'Everybody Is Scared To Make A Move'|url=https://etcanada.com/news/782724/chris-rock-argues-against-cancel-culture-everybody-is-scared-to-make-a-move/|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=[[ET Canada]]|language=en-US|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521230825/https://etcanada.com/news/782724/chris-rock-argues-against-cancel-culture-everybody-is-scared-to-make-a-move/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="C cc">{{Cite web|title=Chris Rock Thinks Cancel Culture Is 'Disrespectful' to Artists and Fans|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/chris-rock-thinks-cancel-culture-is-disrespectful-to-artists-and-fans|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|language=en|archive-date=May 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519180401/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/chris-rock-thinks-cancel-culture-is-disrespectful-to-artists-and-fans|url-status=live}}</ref> He said that it has led to "boring" and "unfunny" material from comedians.<ref name="Fox cc" /><ref name="NME cc" /><ref name="TI cc" /> He also commented that there is an existing built-in mechanism for audiences informing comedians that their content does not work, like the audience not laughing at their jokes.<ref name="Fox cc" /><ref name="NME cc" /><ref name="TI cc" /> Rock went on to say "Everybody's scared to make a move. That's not a place to be. You know, we should have the right to fail because {{nowrap|failure{{tsp}}.{{hsp}}.{{hsp}}.}} failure is a part of art."<ref name="Fox cc" />

Rock has said that he was influenced by the performing style of his paternal grandfather, Allen Rock, a preacher. Rock's comedy influences are [[Bill Cosby]], [[Redd Foxx]], [[Dick Gregory]], [[Flip Wilson]], [[Richard Pryor]], [[Steve Martin]], [[Pigmeat Markham]], [[Woody Allen]], [[Bill Maher]],
[[Eddie Murphy]],<ref name="RockBTP1996">{{cite video| title = [[Chris Rock: Bring the Pain]]| medium = TV| publisher = [[HBO]]|date = 1996}}{{Page needed|date=September 2011}}</ref> [[Sam Kinison]], [[George Carlin]], [[Mort Sahl]],<ref name="ew"/> and [[Rodney Dangerfield]].<ref name="JRoss2008">{{cite episode|series = Friday Night with Jonathan Ross|series-link= Friday Night with Jonathan Ross|network=BBC One|airdate = January 11, 2008| season=14 }} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXCP7AnpwE part 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422193959/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXCP7AnpwE |date=April 22, 2017 }}</ref>

Comedians who have cited Rock as an influence include [[Dave Chappelle]],<ref name="ew"/> [[Christian Finnegan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cornellsun.com/node/23218 |title=Christian Finnegan Chats |work=[[The Cornell Daily Sun]] |author=Weiss, Rebecca |date=April 27, 2007 |access-date=October 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929090738/http://cornellsun.com/node/23218 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref> [[George Lopez]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.myspace.com/georgelopez|title=George Lopez at MySpace|publisher=Myspace.com|access-date=October 12, 2007|archive-date=October 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017165545/http://www.myspace.com/georgelopez|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kevin Hart]],<ref name="Chicago">{{cite news|last=Gomez|first=Luis|title=Interview: Kevin Hart not shy about past flubs|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/01/22/interview-kevin-hart-not-shy-about-past-flubs/|access-date=October 18, 2012|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=October 18, 2012|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224119/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-01-22/entertainment/chi-interview-kevin-hart-chicago-20120122_1_kevin-hart-q-a-session-soul-plane|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Trevor Noah]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.essence.com/2013/06/18/trevor-noah-talks-being-south-african-comedian/ |title=New & Next: Meet South African Comedian Trevor Noah |magazine=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]] |date=June 14, 2013 |access-date=March 30, 2015 |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709010030/https://www.essence.com/2013/06/18/trevor-noah-talks-being-south-african-comedian |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==

=== Relationships ===
Rock married Malaak Compton-Rock on November 23, 1996.<ref name="marriage">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/chris-rock-wife-say-their-marriage-is-solid/|title=Chris Rock, Wife Say Their Marriage Is Solid|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|author=Dagostino, Mark|date=March 1, 2007|access-date=October 5, 2019|archive-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808124556/https://people.com/celebrity/chris-rock-wife-say-their-marriage-is-solid/|url-status=live}}</ref> Compton-Rock is the founder and [[board of directors|executive director]] of StyleWorks, a non-profit, full-service hair salon that provides free services for women leaving [[Social programs in the United States|welfare]] and entering the workforce.<ref name="marriage" /> The couple lived in [[Alpine, New Jersey]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/arts/music/11cent.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1171568108-1pz1/OJee/4fGSWjvrJ/bw|author=Century, Douglas|title=Alpine, N.J., Home of Hip-Hop Royalty|work=The New York Times|date=February 11, 2007|access-date=October 16, 2007|archive-date=June 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612114410/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/arts/music/11cent.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1171568108-1pz1%2FOJee%2F4fGSWjvrJ%2Fbw|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NewYorkMag">[[Rich, Frank]] (November 30, 2014). [https://www.vulture.com/2014/11/chris-rock-frank-rich-in-conversation.html "In Conversation: Chris Rock"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014214101/http://www.vulture.com/2014/11/chris-rock-frank-rich-in-conversation.html |date=October 14, 2016 }}. ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]''.</ref> with their two daughters.<ref name="yahoomovies" /> In December 2014, Rock filed for divorce from Compton-Rock.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.people.com/article/chris-rock-divorce|first=Michele|last=Corriston|title=Chris Rock & Wife Malaak Compton-Rock Split|work=People|date=December 28, 2014|access-date=December 28, 2014|archive-date=September 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919024220/https://people.com/article/chris-rock-divorce|url-status=live}}</ref> Rock admitted to infidelity in the marriage, as well as struggling with a [[pornography addiction]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/02/chris-rock-porn-addiction-cheating-marriage-netflix-1201928637/|title=Chris Rock Gets Brutally Honest About Porn Addiction and Cheating on His Wife: 'I Wasn't a Good Husband'|work=Indiewire.com|author=Sharf, Zach|date=February 14, 2018|access-date=February 14, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214213333/http://www.indiewire.com/2018/02/chris-rock-porn-addiction-cheating-marriage-netflix-1201928637/|url-status=live}}</ref> The divorce was finalized on August 22, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/chris-rock-malaak-compton-divorce-20-years-article-1.2762085|first=Nicole|last=Bitette|title=Chris Rock, Malaak Compton finalize divorce after 20 years of marriage|work=New York Daily News|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=November 13, 2016|archive-date=June 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623113000/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/chris-rock-malaak-compton-divorce-20-years-article-1.2762085|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 7, 2022, it was reported that Rock had started dating actress, screenwriter, and director [[Lake Bell]]. Rock later self-identified as single in his 2023 Netflix special.<ref>{{cite web |last=Juneau |first=Jen |date=July 7, 2022 |title=Chris Rock, Lake Bell Have Been Dating a 'Few Weeks,' Are 'Getting to Know Each Other': Source |url=https://people.com/movies/chris-rock-lake-bell-have-been-dating-for-a-few-weeks-exclusive/?amp=true |accessdate=July 12, 2022 |work=People}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
According to Dylan Novak, a Protestant preacher known by the online alias ''Celebrity Preacher'', he had an interaction with Rock where he learned that Rock's faith "did not stick with him as he grew up". In a 1989 stand-up routine, Rock remarked, "When you're black there's like no religion to turn to... It's like, Christianity? I don't think so. White people justified slavery and segregation through Christianity so a black Christian is like a black person with no... memory."<ref name=":0" />

According to [[Vibe (magazine)|''Vibe'']], in 2017, Rock stated during his Total Blackout Tour that he was "trying to get a little bit of religion... Not a lot," and that he wanted to "find God before God finds me". He also said that he believed in God a little bit but that he practices the religion of comedy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Augustin |first=Camille |date=February 15, 2017 |title=While On Tour, Chris Rock Aims To Strengthen His Faith 'Before God Finds Me' |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/chris-rock-the-blackout-tour-spirituality-488439/ |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Lawsuit ===
In 2012, Rock settled a lawsuit alleging sexual assault. Rock was not charged with a crime and has denied that the alleged rape ever occurred.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/chris-rock-settles-hungarian-models-406158/|title=Chris Rock Settles Hungarian Model's Pellicano-Related Lawsuit|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Eriq|last=Gardner|date=December 21, 2012|access-date=March 7, 2023}}</ref>

=== Cannabis ===
On August 20, 2019, Rock, along with several other celebrities, invested in a funding round for [[Lowell Herb Co]], a California [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] brand. He is known to be "a dedicated cannabis consumer".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://culturemagazine.com/miley-cyrus-and-other-stars-invest-in-cannabis-company/ |title=Miley Cyrus and Other Stars Invest in Cannabis Company |last=Adams |first=Benjamin M. |date=August 22, 2019 |website=Culture Magazine |language=en |access-date=September 15, 2019 |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630171633/https://culturemagazine.com/miley-cyrus-and-other-stars-invest-in-cannabis-company/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Health ===
On September 18, 2020, Rock said that he was diagnosed with a [[non-verbal learning disorder]], a neurological condition that makes it difficult for him to understand non-verbal social cues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/health/chris-rock-reveals-nonverbal-learning-disorder-diagnosis-t192072|title=Chris Rock reveals learning disorder diagnosis, says he has 7 hours of therapy a week|website=TODAY.com|date=September 20, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926043209/https://www.today.com/health/chris-rock-reveals-nonverbal-learning-disorder-diagnosis-t192072|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/chris-rock-revealed-he-has-the-learning-disorder-nvld%E2%80%94heres-what-that-is/ar-BB199IoO|title=Chris Rock Revealed He Has the Learning Disorder NVLD—Here's What That Is|website=www.msn.com|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510142843/https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/chris-rock-revealed-he-has-the-learning-disorder-nvld%E2%80%94heres-what-that-is/ar-BB199IoO|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.self.com/story/chris-rock-learning-disorder-therapy|title=Chris Rock Reveals He Has a Learning Disorder—Here's How He's Managing It|first=Sarah|last=Jacoby|website=SELF|date=September 21, 2020|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922055209/https://www.self.com/story/chris-rock-learning-disorder-therapy|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 19, 2021, Rock announced on [[Twitter]] that he had tested positive for [[COVID-19]]. He strongly advocated getting vaccinated to his followers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saperstein|first=Pat|date=September 19, 2021|title=Chris Rock Reveals He Has COVID, Urges People to 'Get Vaccinated'|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/chris-rock-covid-get-vaccinated-1235068124/|access-date=September 19, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=September 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919231725/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/chris-rock-covid-get-vaccinated-1235068124/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Main|Chris Rock filmography}}

== Discography ==

=== Live albums ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+
! rowspan="2" |Title
! rowspan="2" |Album details
! colspan="2" |Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]]<br /><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Chris Rock Chart History: Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chris-rock/chart-history/tlp/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US<br />R&B<br />/HH]]<br /><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Chris Rock Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/chris-rock/chart-history/tlp/ |access-date=June 1, 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Born Suspect]]''
|
* Released: May 24, 1991<ref>{{Cite web |title=Born Suspect by Chris Rock on Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/born-suspect/498132615 |access-date=June 1, 2023 |website=Apple Music}}</ref>
* Label: [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
* Format: CD, cassette, LP
|—
|—
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Roll with the New]]''
|
* Released: April 8, 1997
* Label: [[DreamWorks Records|DreamWorks]]
* Format: CD, cassette, LP
|93
|41
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Bigger & Blacker]]''
|
* Released: July 13, 1999
* Label: DreamWorks
* Format: CD, cassette, LP
|44
|23
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Never Scared]]''
|
* Released: February 15, 2005
* Label: DreamWorks, [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
* Format: CD, cassette, LP
|—
|—
|}

=== Guest features on albums ===
Chris Rock has appeared on numerous albums, including [[Kanye West]]'s ''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'', [[Method Man]]'s ''[[Tical 2000: Judgement Day|Tical 2000]]'', [[Prince Paul (producer)|Prince Paul]]'s ''[[A Prince Among Thieves]]'', [[Ice Cube]]'s ''[[Ice Cube discography|War and Peace Vol. 2]]'', [[Ludacris]]'s ''[[Theater of the Mind]]'', [[Busta Rhymes]]'s ''[[Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God|Extinction Level Event 2]]'', and [[Ol' Dirty Bastard]]'s second studio album.

=== Standup specials ===
* ''[[HBO Comedy Half-Hour|Chris Rock: Big Ass Jokes]]'' (released on [[HBO]], 1994)
* ''[[Chris Rock: Bring the Pain]]'' (released on [[HBO]], 1996)
* ''[[Bigger & Blacker|Chris Rock: Bigger & Blacker]]'' (released on [[HBO]], 1999)
* ''[[Never Scared|Chris Rock: Never Scared]]'' (released on [[HBO]], 2004)
* ''[[Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger]]'' (released on [[HBO]], 2008)
* ''[[Chris Rock: Tamborine]]'' (released on [[Netflix]] 2018)
* ''Chris Rock: Selective Outrage'' (released on Netflix 2023)

== Awards and nominations ==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Chris Rock}}

== Bibliography ==
* ''Rock This!'' ([[Hachette Books|Hyperion Books]], 1997) – {{ISBN|0-7868-6289-0}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=no|b=no|s=no|v=no|n=no|voy=no|species=no|wikt=no}}
* {{Official website|http://www.chrisrock.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|0001674}}
* {{Charlie Rose view|1531}}

{{s-start}}
{{Succession box| title=[[MTV Video Music Awards]] host| before=[[Dennis Miller]]<br />[[Ben Stiller]]<br />[[Jimmy Fallon]] | after=[[Ben Stiller]]<br />[[Marlon Wayans]] and [[Shawn Wayans]]<br /> no host| years=1997<br />1999<br />2003}}
{{s-end}}
{{Chris Rock}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Chris Rock|Awards for Chris Rock]]
|list =
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Screenplay, Adapted or Original}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyVarietyMusicWriting 1990s}}
{{EmmyAward VarietySpecialWriting}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

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