David Khari Webber, known as Dave Chappelle, is an American comedian, television/film producer, and actor. Despite his decreased on-screen appearances in recent years, his unique comments and comic timing are as funny today as they have ever been.
Dave Chappelle is a fully developed artiste who has established himself as one of the greatest standup comics on Comedy Central. He rose to prominence as an exceptional artist on Chappelle’s Show, which was abruptly canceled after his early retirement. One of the most daring, raunchy, and adaptable actor-comedians, he is recognized for his unusual sense of humor and childlike candor.
He has also appeared in several movies in minor yet memorable parts, including Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Nutty Professor, and Blue Streak. In addition, he achieved great success with his primetime program, combining skits, celebrity impersonation, and short films after years of struggling with minor roles in motion pictures.
He signed on for two more years of the program, but it was ‘indefinitely’ canceled, and he got to resume standup comedy. So instead, he became a Muslim and now resides with his wife and three children in Yellow Springs, Ohio, on the outskirts of town.
Family And Early Life Of Dave Chappelle
David Khari Webber Chappelle was born on August 24, 1973, in Washington, D.C. His parents, William David Chappelle III and Yvonne Chappelle Seon are professors. His great-grandfather Bishop D. Chappelle was the president of Allen University.
Chappelle was born in Silver Spring, Maryland. Growing up, he admired Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor, and family friends would remark that Chappelle would probably become a comedian since they’d seen him perform funny stuff and speak long monologues.
Chappelle’s parents divorced when he was young, and he spent most of his youth with his mother in Maryland and summers in Ohio with his father. He completed high school at Duke Ellington School of the Art in 1991, where he studied acting.
Dave Chappelle | Career
After high school, Dave moved to New York City to pursue a career in comedy. He performed at the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night (and was subsequently booed off stage), but he quickly gained a following on the New York comedy circuit. In 1992, he appeared on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and earned critical and popular acclaim for his performance.
It was a watershed moment in his career, and he became a frequent guest on the late-night circuit on shows like Late Show with David Letterman, The Howard Stern Program, and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. In addition, he performed a standup comedy for Aretha Franklin at 19.
Chappelle made his cinematic debut at the age of twenty in Mel Brooks’s Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). After that, he appeared in several films (including a minor role in The Nutty Professor, which starred Eddie Murphy, and co-writing and starring in the stoner film Half Baked) before creating his series, Chappelle’s Show on Comedy Central, in 2003.
The series, which aired for two successful seasons and was nominated for two Emmys, ended abruptly during the third season’s production after Chappelle left during the show’s run. The episodes were eventually aired on Comedy Central.
Chappelle cited his dissatisfaction with the program’s course, exhaustion from working 20-hour days, and lack of time to devote to his standup career as reasons for quitting. In addition, Chappelle canceled a $50 million contract with Comedy Central by leaving the show.
Michel Gondry directed Dave Chappelle’s Block Party in 2004. The documentary is about a rap concert in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The rap and hip-hop performances were amazing and included The Fugees reunion.
Return To Success
Dave began performing standup comedy in 2005 before making a huge comeback in 2013. He has headlined his standup specials since then. In June 2014, he returned to the New York City circuit for the first time in 11 years and performed ten shows at the Radio City Music Hall.
The weekend after Donald Trump was elected president, Chappelle hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time. Critics praised his impassioned and cutting opening monologue and subsequent sketch performance, with fans praising his talent. In addition, he donated his Emmy to his former high school to thank them for their support over the years.
Dave Chappelle | Netflix Deal
Dave’s four-year deal with Netflix, announced in November 2016, calls for three standup comedy specials to be released. Dave was reportedly paid $60 million for the specials, making it one of the most lucrative deals ever offered to a comedian for any format. Between June 2016 and June 2017, Dave made $47 million. Between June 2017 and June 2018, he earned $35 million.
Dave Chappelle | Charity And Activism
In 1998, Dave converted to Islam. In the 2020 presidential election, he endorsed Andrew Yang. Moreover, Dave gives his time to Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine as a volunteer. Young people from war-torn regions are brought together at this camp for leadership training. In August 2019, he organized the Gem City Shine Charity concert in Dayton, Ohio, with a star-studded lineup that included Stevie Wonder and Chance the Rapper. The charity event was held to commemorate the August 4, 2019, Dayton shooting victim and raised almost $70,000 for the Oregon District Tragedy Fund.
Awards & Achievements
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor 2019
- Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album 2020, 2019, 2018
- Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series 2021, 2017
- Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special 2020
- Primetime Creative Arts Award for Outstanding Variety Special(Pre-Recorded) 2018
Relationship Of Dave Chappelle
Chappelle and his wife, Elaine Mendoza Erfe, have been married since 2001. They have three children: Sulayman and Ibrahim and Sanaa. Furthermore, His family resides on a 65-acre farm in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Chappelle also owns properties in Xenia, Ohio.
Dave Chappelle | Net Worth
Dave Chappelle is worth an estimated $60 million. In 2016, Chappelle inked a deal with Netflix to stream standup specials. He reportedly makes $20 million per special and has produced six specials for the streaming service in the last five years. From June 2016 to June 2018, the years during which he produced his three Netflix specials, he allegedly made over $82 million.
Social Media Presence
Dave Chappelle has a social media presence with over 2.1 million followers on his verified Instagram account and over 3.2 million followers on his verified Twitter account. However, he is not active on Facebook.
Additional Information
| Сеlеbrаtеd Nаmе: | Dave Chappelle |
| Nickname: | Dave |
| Rеаl Nаmе/Full Nаmе: | David Khari Webber Chappelle |
| Gеndеr: | Male |
| Аgе: | 48 |
| Віrth Dаtе: | 24 August 1973 |
| Віrth Рlасе: | Washington D.C, United States |
| Nаtіоnаlіtу: | American |
| Неіght: | 1.83m |
| Ѕехuаl Оrіеntаtіоn: | Straight |
| Relationship Ѕtаtuѕ: | Married |
| Spouse(Ex): | Elaine Mendoza Erfe Chappelle (m. 2001) |
| Рrоfеѕѕіоn: | Stand-Up Comedian, Actor, Producer |
| Nеt Wоrth іn 2022: | $60 million |
Instagram: @davechappelle
Twitter: @ChappelleShow