History of Chris Rock in Timeline
Chris Rock is a highly acclaimed American comedian, actor, and filmmaker renowned for his thought-provoking stand-up routines since the 1980s. His comedy often explores themes of race, relationships, and everyday observations, earning him numerous awards such as Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album and Primetime Emmy Awards. Rock's comedic talent has placed him among the greatest stand-up comedians of all time, consistently ranking high in prestigious comedy rankings.
February 7, 1965: Chris Rock is Born
On February 7, 1965, Christopher Julius Rock, better known as Chris Rock, was born in Andrews, South Carolina.
1984: Chris Rock Begins Stand-Up Career
Chris Rock embarks on his stand-up comedy journey in 1984, starting at New York City's Catch a Rising Star.
1987: Chris Rock's Film Debut in "Beverly Hills Cop II"
Chris Rock makes his film debut in "Beverly Hills Cop II" in 1987, thanks to Eddie Murphy, who gives him his first film role.
1988: Chris Rock Appears in "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka"
Chris Rock lands a role in the film "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" in 1988.
1988: Chris Rock's Father Passes Away
In 1988, Chris Rock's father, Julius Rock, passed away due to complications from ulcer surgery.
1990: Chris Rock Joins "Saturday Night Live"
Chris Rock becomes a cast member on the sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live" in 1990.
1991: Chris Rock Releases Debut Comedy Album and Stars in "New Jack City"
Chris Rock releases his debut comedy album, "Born Suspect," and receives acclaim for his role as a crack addict in the film "New Jack City" in 1991.
1991: Chris Rock in "New Jack City"
Chris Rock takes on the role of Pookie, a crack addict, in the film "New Jack City" in 1991.
1992: Chris Rock Departs "Saturday Night Live" and Joins "In Living Color"
After being let go from "Saturday Night Live," Chris Rock joins the cast of the sketch comedy show "In Living Color" as a special guest star in 1992.
1992: Chris Rock in "Boomerang"
Chris Rock appears in the Eddie Murphy comedy "Boomerang" in 1992.
1993: Chris Rock Departs "Saturday Night Live"
Chris Rock's time on "Saturday Night Live" comes to an end in 1993.
1994: Chris Rock's First HBO Comedy Special, "Big Ass Jokes"
Chris Rock's first HBO comedy special, "Big Ass Jokes," airs in 1994 as part of HBO Comedy Half-Hour.
November 23, 1996: Chris Rock Marries Malaak Compton
On November 23, 1996, Chris Rock married Malaak Compton, the founder of StyleWorks, a non-profit providing free hair services. The couple resided in Alpine, New Jersey.
1996: Chris Rock's Breakthrough with "Bring the Pain"
Chris Rock achieves mainstream recognition with his second HBO comedy special, "Bring the Pain," in 1996, earning critical acclaim and two Emmy Awards.
1996: Chris Rock in "Sgt. Bilko"
Chris Rock joins the cast of the Steve Martin comedy "Sgt. Bilko" in 1996.
1996: Chris Rock Hosts "Saturday Night Live"
Chris Rock takes on the hosting duties for "Saturday Night Live" in 1996.
1997: Chris Rock in "Beverly Hills Ninja"
Chris Rock appears in the film "Beverly Hills Ninja" in 1997.
1998: Chris Rock in "Lethal Weapon 4"
Chris Rock joins the cast of the action film "Lethal Weapon 4" in 1998.
1998: Chris Rock as "Lil Penny" in Nike Commercials
Chris Rock lends his voice to the "Lil Penny" puppet, the alter ego of basketball star Penny Hardaway, in a series of Nike commercials that run from 1994 to 1998.
1999: Chris Rock in "Dogma"
Chris Rock stars in the Kevin Smith comedy "Dogma" in 1999.
1999: Chris Rock's "Bigger & Blacker" Premieres
Chris Rock's HBO comedy special "Bigger & Blacker" premieres in 1999.
May 11, 2000: Nurse Betty Premieres at Cannes Film Festival
On May 11, 2000, Chris Rock's dark comedy, "Nurse Betty," co-starring Renée Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, and Morgan Freeman, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was well-received by critics.
2000: Chris Rock Featured on Method Man's "Tical 2000"
In 2000, Chris Rock appeared on Method Man's album "Tical 2000", marking one of his many collaborations in the music industry.
2001: Chris Rock Writes and Produces "Down to Earth" and Stars in "Pootie Tang"
In 2001, Chris Rock entered a new phase in his career, focusing on work behind the camera. He co-wrote "Down to Earth" with comedian Louis C.K., a film inspired by the 1978 Warren Beatty film "Heaven Can Wait." The same year, Rock starred in the C.K.-directed "Pootie Tang."
2002: Chris Rock Stars in Action Comedy "Bad Company"
In 2002, Chris Rock showcased his acting range in the action comedy "Bad Company," starring alongside Anthony Hopkins.
2003: Chris Rock Writes, Directs, and Stars in "Head of State"
In 2003, Chris Rock wrote, directed, and starred in the political comedy "Head of State." This marked a significant step in his career, demonstrating his versatility in the film industry.
2004: Chris Rock's "Never Scared" Premieres
Chris Rock's HBO comedy special "Never Scared" premieres in 2004.
February 2005: Chris Rock hosts the 77th Academy Awards
In February 2005, Chris Rock hosted the 77th Academy Awards, bringing a comedic edge to the ceremony with jokes about actors like Jude Law. His performance received mixed reactions, particularly from older Academy officials.
September 2005: "Everybody Hates Chris" Premieres to Critical Acclaim
Premiering in September 2005, "Everybody Hates Chris" instantly resonated with audiences and critics, becoming a hit for UPN. Chris Rock, the show's creator and narrator, earned praise for his comedic timing and insightful storytelling.
2005: Chris Rock Joins the Cast of "Madagascar"
Beginning in 2005, Chris Rock lent his voice to the character of Marty the zebra in DreamWorks Animation's "Madagascar" franchise.
2005: Chris Rock Stars in "The Longest Yard"
In 2005, Chris Rock shared the screen with Adam Sandler in the comedy film "The Longest Yard," expanding his filmography with diverse roles.
2005: "Everybody Hates Chris" Premieres
In 2005, Chris Rock's semi-autobiographical sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris," debuted on UPN. Rock served as executive producer and narrator for the critically acclaimed series.
2006: "Everybody Hates Chris" Receives Award Nominations
"Everybody Hates Chris" received numerous award nominations in 2006, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy), a People's Choice Award nomination for Favorite New Television Comedy, and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for its costume design and cinematography.
2006: Chris Rock's Half-Brother Dies
Chris Rock's older half-brother, Charles Ledell Rock, passed away in 2006 after battling alcoholism.
July 7, 2007: Chris Rock's controversial moment at Live Earth concert
At the London Live Earth concert on July 7, 2007, Chris Rock used profanity on stage, leading to the BBC cutting off the broadcast and issuing apologies due to the timing of the live event.
2007: Chris Rock Voices Mooseblood in "Bee Movie"
In 2007, Chris Rock took on the role of Mooseblood the Mosquito in Jerry Seinfeld's animated film "Bee Movie."
2007: Chris Rock Takes on Writing, Directing, and Starring in "I Think I Love My Wife"
Continuing his foray into directing, Chris Rock wrote, directed, and starred in the marital comedy "I Think I Love My Wife" in 2007, further solidifying his presence in the filmmaking world.
September 27, 2008: Chris Rock's "Kill the Messenger" Premieres
Chris Rock's fifth HBO stand-up special, "Kill the Messenger," makes its debut on September 27, 2008, earning him another Emmy Award for outstanding writing.
2008: Chris Rock Returns for "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa"
Chris Rock reprised his role as Marty the zebra in "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," released in 2008, continuing the adventures of the beloved zoo animals.
2008: Chris Rock's Family History on PBS
In 2008, the PBS series "African American Lives 2" featured a profile of Chris Rock's family history.
2009: "Everybody Hates Chris" Concludes
After four seasons, "Everybody Hates Chris" aired its final episode in 2009, leaving behind a legacy of critical acclaim and cultural impact.
2009: Chris Rock's Documentary "Good Hair" Premieres at Sundance
Chris Rock's directorial debut, the documentary "Good Hair," premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, exploring the complexities of Black hair and its cultural significance. The film was critically acclaimed, earning a Special Jury Prize at the festival.
2010: Chris Rock Stars in "Death at a Funeral" and "Grown Ups"
In 2010, Chris Rock appeared in two comedies: "Death at a Funeral," a remake of the 2007 British film, and "Grown Ups," starring alongside Adam Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade, and Maya Rudolph.
2011: Chris Rock Makes Broadway Debut in "The Motherfucker with the Hat"
Chris Rock made his Broadway debut in 2011, starring in Stephen Adly Guirgis's play "The Motherfucker with the Hat" alongside Bobby Cannavale and Annabella Sciorra. This marked a departure from his comedic roles, showcasing his dramatic acting abilities.
August 2012: "Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell" Premieres
In August 2012, "Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell," a show produced by Chris Rock, premiered, further expanding his influence in the television industry.
2012: Chris Rock Stars in "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and "2 Days in New York"
Chris Rock appeared in two romantic comedies in 2012: the ensemble film "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and "2 Days in New York," a sequel to the 2007 film "2 Days in Paris."
2012: Chris Rock Settles Sexual Assault Lawsuit
In 2012, Chris Rock settled a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse. Rock was not charged and denied the allegations.
2013: Chris Rock Stars in "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted"
Chris Rock's Marty the zebra returned to the big screen in 2013 with "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," further solidifying the franchise's success.
2013: Chris Rock Reunites with the "Grown Ups" Cast for Sequel
In 2013, Chris Rock joined the cast of "Grown Ups 2," reprising his role in the sequel to the 2010 comedy.
December 2014: Chris Rock Files for Divorce
In December 2014, Chris Rock filed for divorce from his wife, Malaak Compton.
2014: Chris Rock Hosts "Saturday Night Live"
Chris Rock returns to host "Saturday Night Live" once again in 2014.
2014: Chris Rock Writes, Directs, and Stars in "Top Five"
Chris Rock wrote, directed, and starred in the critically acclaimed film "Top Five" in 2014. Drawing comparisons to Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories" (1980), the film offered a social commentary on fame and society, showcasing Rock's filmmaking maturity.
October 21, 2015: Chris Rock announced as host for the 88th Academy Awards
On October 21, 2015, it was announced that Chris Rock would host the 88th Academy Awards. Despite calls for a boycott due to a lack of diversity in nominations, Rock used his platform to address the issue during the ceremony.
2015: Chris Rock Appears on "Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special" and "A Very Murray Christmas"
In 2015, Chris Rock appeared on the "Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special," paying tribute to Eddie Murphy, and starred in Sofia Coppola's Christmas special, "A Very Murray Christmas."
August 22, 2016: Chris Rock's Divorce From Malaak Compton Finalized
Chris Rock's divorce from Malaak Compton was finalized on August 22, 2016. The divorce followed Rock's admission of infidelity and a struggle with pornography addiction.
October 30, 2016: Netflix announces two new stand-up specials with Chris Rock
On October 30, 2016, Netflix announced a deal with Chris Rock to release two new stand-up comedy specials. Rock would be paid $40 million per special, marking his return to concert specials after a decade.
2017: Chris Rock Appears in "Sandy Wexler"
Chris Rock made an appearance in the Adam Sandler-led Netflix comedy "Sandy Wexler" in 2017.
February 14, 2018: Release of Chris Rock: Tamborine on Netflix
Chris Rock's stand-up special, titled 'Chris Rock: Tamborine', was released on Netflix on February 14, 2018. Filmed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and directed by Bo Burnham, the special marked Rock's return to stand-up after ten years and earned a Grammy nomination.
2018: Chris Rock Stars in Netflix Comedy "The Week Of"
In 2018, Chris Rock starred alongside Adam Sandler in the Netflix comedy "The Week Of," directed by Robert Smigel. The film revolves around the chaotic week leading up to a wedding, showcasing Rock's comedic talent in a relatable family setting.
August 20, 2019: Chris Rock Invests in Lowell Herb Co.
On August 20, 2019, Chris Rock joined other celebrities in investing in Lowell Herb Co., a California cannabis brand. Rock is known to be a cannabis consumer.
2019: Chris Rock Appears in "Dolemite Is My Name"
Chris Rock had a brief but memorable role in the 2019 biographical comedy-drama "Dolemite Is My Name," starring Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, chronicles Moore's rise to fame in the blaxploitation genre, starting with his 1975 film "Dolemite."
September 18, 2020: Chris Rock Announces Non-Verbal Learning Disorder Diagnosis
Chris Rock revealed on September 18, 2020, that he had been diagnosed with a non-verbal learning disorder, impacting his understanding of non-verbal social cues.
2020: Chris Rock Hosts "Saturday Night Live"
Chris Rock makes another appearance as host on "Saturday Night Live" in 2020.
2020: Chris Rock stars in Fargo and Spiral
In 2020, Chris Rock played the lead role of Loy Cannon in the fourth season of the TV series 'Fargo' and starred in 'Spiral', a reboot of the Saw franchise, exploring the horror genre.
May 2021: Chris Rock speaks against cancel culture
In May 2021, Chris Rock voiced his opposition to cancel culture, criticizing it for leading to dull and unoriginal comedic material. He emphasized the importance of failure as part of artistic expression.
September 19, 2021: Chris Rock Tests Positive for COVID-19
On September 19, 2021, Chris Rock shared on Twitter that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and used the opportunity to advocate for vaccination.
March 2022: Chris Rock and the Will Smith incident at the Oscars
In March 2022, during the 94th Academy Awards, Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, leading to Will Smith slapping him on stage. The incident became a major talking point of the ceremony.
July 7, 2022: Chris Rock Begins Dating Lake Bell
Reports surfaced on July 7, 2022, that Chris Rock was dating actress, screenwriter, and director Lake Bell.
March 4, 2023: Chris Rock: Selective Outrage live on Netflix
On March 4, 2023, Chris Rock's comedy special 'Selective Outrage' premiered as Netflix's first live-streamed event from the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland. The special earned three Primetime Emmy nominations, including for Outstanding Variety Special and Outstanding Writing.
2023: Chris Rock to direct Martin Luther King Jr. biopic
In 2023, it was announced that Chris Rock would direct a biographical film about Martin Luther King Jr., with Steven Spielberg as producer. The film will be based on Jonathan Eig's biography 'King: A Life'.