Actor, writer, and comedian Dave Chappelle has become one of the most recognized names in the world of comedy. After making a name for himself on the New York comedy circuit, he garnered critical and popular acclaim when he appeared on Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam in 1992. Since then, he’s penned 6 comedy specials and appeared in nearly 20 movies, including The Nutty Professor, Half Baked, and You’ve Got Mail. He’s been nominated for numerous awards, and in 2018 he took home the Grammy for Best Comedy Album for The Age of Spin and Deep in the Heart of Texas double feature. He’s been dubbed by Esquire magazine as “the comic genius of America” while Rolling Stone named him number 9 on their list of the 50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time. His ferocious and analytical observations on race, politics, and pop culture make a Dave Chappelle comedy show one of the hottest tickets in town.
Born in Washington, D.C., Dave Chappelle moved to New York City at the age of 18 to pursue a career in comedy. He famously performed at the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night and was booed off stage, though Chapelle later said the experience gave him the courage to continue going after his aspirations. He worked the city’s comedy circuit and appeared on Def Comedy Jam, which led him to become a regular guest on shows like Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Howard Stern Show. After a series of TV and film appearances, he recorded his first comedy special, Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly, for HBO. The comedian’s fame really took off in 2003 with the premiere of his Comedy Central sketch series Chappelle’s Show, in which he parodied many aspects of American culture ranging from racial stereotypes to celebrities. The show was nominated for and won numerous accolades, including BET Comedy Awards and NAMIC Vision Awards. Due to issues with the entertainment industry, Chappelle stepped back the from spotlight in 2006, infrequently making appearances on TV and stage. But in 2013, he returned to touring full-time and by the end of 2017 had released 4 new specials on Netflix. Today, fans can’t wait to get their hands on tickets to see this legendary comedian in action.
