Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dave Chappelle

How Dave Chappelle built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Dave Chappelle is a highly acclaimed American stand-up comedian and actor, best known for co-creating and starring in the satirical sketch comedy series *Chappelle's Show*. Despite its popularity, he famously left the show during its third season. Following a break, Chappelle resumed his stand-up career, earning widespread recognition. He has been lauded as a comic genius and one of the best stand-up comedians of all time.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

2004: Donation to Seeds of Peace International Camp

In 2004, Dave Chappelle donated his time to Seeds of Peace International Camp, located in Otisfield, Maine, an organization bringing together young leaders from communities in conflict.

August 2013: Oddball Comedy & Curiosity festival performance and heckling incident

In August 2013, Dave Chappelle co-headlined the Oddball Comedy & Curiosity festival with Flight of the Conchords. During a performance in Hartford, Chappelle walked off stage due to intense heckling from the crowd, which included chants of "White Power." Later, audio was released of Chappelle responding to the incident, blaming "young, white, alcoholic[s]" and expressing negative sentiments towards Hartford.

June 2014: New York City appearance

In June 2014, Dave Chappelle performed for ten nights at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, marking his first major appearance in the city in eleven years. He promoted these dates with appearances on 'The Today Show', 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', and 'Late Show with David Letterman'.

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August 2014: Surprise appearance at Oddball Festival in Hartford

In August 2014, Dave Chappelle made a surprise appearance at the Oddball Festival in Hartford. This performance was a return to the city after a previous heckling incident in 2013, and he received standing ovations during his set.

April 2015: "Deep in the Heart of Texas" filmed at Austin City Limits Live

In April 2015, Dave Chappelle filmed "Deep in the Heart of Texas" at Austin City Limits Live, which was later released on Netflix in March 2017.

2015: Appearance in Chi-Raq

In 2015, Dave Chappelle appeared in Spike Lee's film 'Chi-Raq', marking his first film role in 13 years.

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March 2016: "The Age of Spin" filmed at the Hollywood Palladium

In March 2016, Dave Chappelle filmed "The Age of Spin" at the Hollywood Palladium, which was later released on Netflix in March 2017.

November 12, 2016: Hosting Debut on Saturday Night Live

On November 12, 2016, Dave Chappelle hosted 'Saturday Night Live' for the first time, the weekend after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election. The show featured A Tribe Called Quest as the musical guest. Chappelle's opening monologue addressed Trump and the election, and he received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance, which he later donated to his former high school.

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November 21, 2016: Netflix announces stand-up comedy specials

On November 21, 2016, Netflix announced a deal to release three new stand-up comedy specials from Dave Chappelle in 2017, paying him $20 million per special.

March 21, 2017: Release of "Deep in the Heart of Texas" and "The Age of Spin" on Netflix

On March 21, 2017, Netflix released two stand-up comedy specials from Dave Chappelle's personal comedy vault: "Deep in the Heart of Texas," filmed in April 2015, and "The Age of Spin," filmed in March 2016. Netflix announced a month later that they were the most viewed comedy specials in Netflix's history.

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September 2017: Filming of 'Equanimity'

In September 2017, Dave Chappelle filmed the stand-up special 'Equanimity' at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.

November 20, 2017: Filming of 'The Bird Revelation'

On November 20, 2017, Dave Chappelle filmed a fourth stand-up special, 'The Bird Revelation', at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles.

December 22, 2017: Netflix announces expansion of deal to include The Bird Revelation

On December 22, 2017, Netflix announced the expansion of their deal with Dave Chappelle to include 'The Bird Revelation', which was released with 'Equanimity' on December 31.

2017: Shout-out to D.C. Public Schools at Emmy Awards

During his acceptance speech at the 2017 Emmy Awards, Dave Chappelle gave a shout-out to D.C. Public Schools.

2017: Release of two Netflix specials, touring, and other collaborations

In 2017, Dave Chappelle released two Netflix specials, 'The Age of Spin' and 'Deep in the Heart of Texas'. In 2018, Chappelle and Jon Stewart joined forces for a duo comedy tour in the United States, and across the United Kingdom. He also collaborated with Aziz Ansari for three stand-up shows in Austin, Texas, at the Paramount Theater.

October 2018: Appearance in 'A Star Is Born'

In October 2018, Dave Chappelle appeared in Bradley Cooper's directorial debut, 'A Star Is Born', as "Noodles". He was nominated along with the cast for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast in a Motion Picture.

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August 26, 2019: Release of 'Sticks & Stones' on Netflix

On August 26, 2019, Dave Chappelle's fifth Netflix special, 'Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones', was released. The special garnered controversy and backlash for jokes about abuse allegations and the LGBT community.

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2019: Awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

In 2019, Dave Chappelle received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The event, honoring Chappelle, featured Jon Stewart, Bradley Cooper, Aziz Ansari, Sarah Silverman, Chris Tucker, Frederic Yonnet, and Lorne Michaels. A television special of the award ceremony was released on Netflix and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded).

June 6, 2020: Private event in Yellow Springs, Ohio

On June 6, 2020, Dave Chappelle held a private, socially distanced stand-up event in Yellow Springs, Ohio, which was later released as the special '8:46' on Netflix's YouTube channel.

June 12, 2020: Release of "8:46" on YouTube

On June 12, 2020, Netflix released '8:46', a video of newly recorded stand-up by Dave Chappelle, on the YouTube channel "Netflix Is a Joke." The performance touches on George Floyd's murder and subsequent protests.

June 2020: Beginning of "Chappelle Summer Camp"

Starting in late June 2020, Dave Chappelle hosted "Chappelle Summer Camp" at Wirrig Pavilion in Yellow Springs, Ohio, featuring live, socially distanced performances with comedians and musicians.

December 2020: Purchase of fire station and retrofitting of mechanic's garage

In December 2020, Dave Chappelle's company, Iron Table Holdings, purchased a fire station near his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, with plans to convert it into a comedy club. He also retrofitted a mechanic's garage into a clubhouse called "The Shack" for podcasting.

2020: Hosting Saturday Night Live after the 2020 election

In 2020, Dave Chappelle hosted 'Saturday Night Live' the weekend of the United States presidential election, delivering a 16-minute opening monologue reflecting on the election results and political climate.

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June 2021: Premiere of Dave Chappelle: Live in Real Life at Tribeca Film Festival

In June 2021, 'Dave Chappelle: Live in Real Life', a documentary about Chappelle's concerts in Yellow Springs during the COVID-19 pandemic, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

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October 5, 2021: Release of 'The Closer' on Netflix

On October 5, 2021, Dave Chappelle's sixth Netflix special, 'The Closer', was released. It sparked controversy due to jokes about gay and transgender people, with some considering them transphobic.

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November 19, 2021: Theatrical release of Dave Chappelle: Live in Real Life

On November 19, 2021, 'Dave Chappelle: Live in Real Life' received a limited theatrical release, following its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2021.

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May 4, 2022: Attacked onstage at Hollywood Bowl

In the early hours of May 4, 2022, Dave Chappelle was attacked onstage at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles during the Netflix Is a Joke Festival. The attacker was armed with a replica handgun containing a knife blade and was subdued by security. This 4-night stint tied him with Monty Python for most headlined shows by a comedian at the venue.

November 12, 2022: Third time hosting Saturday Night Live

On November 12, 2022, Dave Chappelle hosted 'Saturday Night Live' for the third time.

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December 31, 2023: Release of 'The Dreamer' on Netflix

On December 31, 2023, Netflix released Dave Chappelle's latest special, 'The Dreamer', which debuted at No. 5 on the chart with 2.2 million views.

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January 2025: Commentary on events during SNL Monologue

In January 2025, Dave Chappelle commented on recent events, including the Southern California wildfires, Jimmy Carter's death, and Donald Trump's reelection to the United States presidency, during his Saturday Night Live monologue.

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January 18, 2025: Fourth time hosting Saturday Night Live

On January 18, 2025, Dave Chappelle hosted 'Saturday Night Live' for the fourth time. His monologue included commentary on recent events, including the January 2025 Southern California wildfires, Jimmy Carter's death, and Donald Trump's reelection to the United States presidency.

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