Early Life and Education of Dave Chappelle: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Dave Chappelle, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Dave Chappelle is a highly acclaimed American stand-up comedian and actor, most notably known for creating and starring in the influential satirical sketch comedy series *Chappelle's Show*. Despite the show's success, he famously left during its third season. After a break, he returned to stand-up, receiving widespread recognition. He was lauded as a 'comic genius' and 'the best' by various publications, with Rolling Stone ranking him among the greatest stand-up comedians of all time.

Sections (5)

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

1915: People's Infirmary Opened

Around 1915, Dave Chappelle's grand-uncle W. D. Chappelle Jr., a physician and surgeon, opened the People's Infirmary, a small hospital and surgery practice in Columbia, South Carolina. Segregation prevented many African Americans from having access to healthcare at the time.

2001: Marriage to Elaine Mendoza Erfe

In 2001, Dave Chappelle married Elaine Mendoza Erfe. The couple have two sons and one daughter and live on a farm near Yellow Springs, Ohio.

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, a camp that brings together young leaders from communities in conflict.

May 2005: Comments to TIME Magazine

In May 2005, Dave Chappelle told TIME Magazine...

September 2006: Addressed Yellow Springs Residents

In September 2006, Dave Chappelle addressed the residents of Yellow Springs, Ohio, about...

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

During his acceptance speech at the 2017 Emmy Awards, Dave Chappelle gave a shout-out to D.C. Public Schools, showing his support for his high school, Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

2017: "Dave Chappelle Day" Declared in Columbia, South Carolina

In 2017, Columbia, South Carolina, Mayor Steven Benjamin declared February 3 "Dave Chappelle Day" when Dave Chappelle spoke at the Chappelle Auditorium at Allen University. The auditorium was named after his great-grandfather, Bishop William David Chappelle.

June 2020: Start of "Chappelle Summer Camp" Performances

In late June 2020, Dave Chappelle initiated the "Chappelle Summer Camp" series of live performances at Wirrig Pavilion in Yellow Springs, Ohio, featuring masked and socially distanced audiences. The series officially kicked off with a Fourth of July celebration.

September 25, 2020: Cancellation of Chappelle Summer Camp Due to Possible COVID-19 Exposure

On September 25, 2020, Elaine Chappelle announced the sudden end of the "Chappelle Summer Camp" series of shows due to a possible COVID-19 exposure within their inner circle.

October 4, 2020: Variance Granted for Chappelle Summer Camp Performances Until October 4th

After issues arose from neighbors' complaints of noise and disturbances, local zoning officials granted a special variance allowing Dave Chappelle's "Chappelle Summer Camp" performances to continue through October 4, 2020.

December 2020: Purchase of Fire Station for Conversion into Comedy Club

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 podcasting clubhouse called "The Shack".

2020: Endorsement of Andrew Yang

In 2020, Dave Chappelle endorsed Andrew Yang in the United States presidential election.

November 2021: Auditorium Renaming Controversy

In November 2021, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts was set to rename their auditorium in Dave Chappelle's honor. However, following controversy in response to jokes made in The Closer, the renaming ceremony was delayed.

December 2021: Opposition to Zoning Change

In December 2021, Dave Chappelle informed the Yellow Springs, Ohio, village council that he would cancel his planned business investments, including his restaurant and comedy club, if the council approved a zoning change to allow a multifamily affordable housing project. He expressed concerns about the nature of the development.

February 7, 2022: Further Opposition to Zoning Change

On February 7, 2022, Dave Chappelle again voiced his opposition to the zoning change at a Yellow Springs, Ohio, village council meeting, where he referred to the council as "clowns" and highlighted that his business was worth $65 million a year. The council subsequently deadlocked on the vote, failing to approve the change.

April 2022: Rescheduled Auditorium Renaming

In April 2022, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts decided to move forward with renaming their auditorium after Dave Chappelle, following an assembly and Q&A session with students, and respecting the wishes of school co-founder Peggy Cooper Cafritz.

May 4, 2022: Attack on Stage at Hollywood Bowl During Netflix Is a Joke Festival

In the early hours of May 4, 2022, Dave Chappelle was tackled on stage at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, during the Netflix Is a Joke Festival. The attacker was armed with a replica handgun containing a knife blade. Chappelle's 4-night stint at the Hollywood Bowl ties him with Monty Python for the most headlined shows by a comedian at the venue.

2022: Announcement Regarding Duke Ellington School Theater Naming

In the summer of 2022, Dave Chappelle announced he would not give his name to the Duke Ellington School theater. Instead, he insisted it should be named the Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression.

October 19, 2023: Statements on Israel-Gaza Conflict

During his October 19, 2023 show in Boston, Dave Chappelle described Israel's actions during the Gaza war as war crimes. He also condemned the United States for aiding Israel and condemned Hamas for its October 7th attacks. The audience's reaction was mixed.

May 2024: Statements on Genocide in Gaza

In May 2024, during an appearance in Abu Dhabi, Dave Chappelle stated that "genocide is striking the Gaza Strip amid the Israel-Hamas war", while urging Americans to fight antisemitism so Jews do not feel like they need to be protected by Israel.

2024: Campaign Event for Hill Harper

In 2024, Dave Chappelle headlined a campaign event for actor Hill Harper, who was running against Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin in the Democratic primary ahead of Michigan's 2024 U.S. Senate election, at Saint Andrews Hall in Detroit.

January 19, 2025: Remarks on Saturday Night Live

During his January 19, 2025, Saturday Night Live monologue, Dave Chappelle exhorted President Donald Trump to have empathy for displaced people in the Palisades and Palestine.

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