Wissenswertes

Points to Eddie Murphy as his role model and inspiration for taking up comedy and acting.

He dedicated Chris Rock: Never Scared (2004), the recording of a stand-up performance he did at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., to the memory of three people: his father, Julius Rock; Monteria Ivey, comic radio personality and announcer for Die Chris-Rock-Show (1997); and Stan Sandler, father of his friend Adam Sandler.

Discovered by Eddie Murphy.

Has the rare distinction of being in two movies that opened on the same day in the United States: Spiel ohne Regeln (2005) and Madagascar (2005) (May 27, 2005). Both of them stayed at the two top spots at the box office the following weeks, knocking down the last installment of the Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Episode III - Die Rache der Sith (2005). Both became members of the $100 million club.

Close friends with Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, David Spade and Mario Joyner.

Signed a $40 million contract with Netflix to stream two new live stand-up comedy specials. (Oktober 2016)

Both his father and grandfather were preachers.

His wife, Malaak Compton, was featured in Redbook magazine as one of the winners of the 2002 Mothers & Shakers Awards. Malaak is the founder and executive director of StyleWorks, a nonprofit, full-service salon that provides free services for women leaving welfare and entering the work force.

In 1993, Paramount offered him the role of Lamont Sanford in a purposed film update of Sanford and Son (1972). He called the idea "insane" and, because of his affection for the late Redd Foxx, lobbied to have the production halted. It was.

Formerly held the world record for having the largest audience during a live-comedy performance when he performed in front of 15,900 people in London in May 2008. The record was broken by Mario Barth in July 2008.

Despite having a pool in his home, he didn't learn to swim until he was fifty-five years old.

Has six younger siblings: Andre Rock, Tony Rock, Brian Rock, Kenny Rock, Andi Rock and Jordan Rock.

Good friends with the late Chris Farley.

Enjoys a wide range of music such as Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, DMX, Boy George, Elvis Costello, Eminem and The Smashing Pumpkins.

His older half-brother, Charles Rock, died in February 2006.

Has called singer Sade "the most beautiful woman in the world".

Was in a relationship with actress Megalyn Echikunwoke from February 2016 to March 2020.

Was voted the funniest person in America by Entertainment Weekly.

Is a huge fan of the sitcom Seinfeld (1989) and has been known to make references to the series in many of his stand-up routines.

(March 27, 2022) It was just prior to Oscar host Chris introducing the "Best Documentary Feature" nominees that Will Smith walked up to him and slapped him in the face because of a joke Chris had made about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair. However, this was not the first time Chris had poked fun at Jada. When she refused to attend the awards ceremonies in 2016, host Chris quipped: "Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties - I wasn't invited".

During his monologue at The 77th Annual Academy Awards (2005), he quipped, "If you want Russell Crowe, and all you can get is Colin Farrell, wait!" Coincidentally, Oliver Stone pursued Crowe for the title role of Alexander (2004), yet ended up casting Farrell in the role instead. The film turned out to be one of the most critically panned movies that year.

Currently resides in Alpine, New Jersey.

Has two daughters: Lola Simone Rock (born June 28, 2002) and Zahra Savannah Rock (born May 22, 2004).

Friends with Bernie Mac George Wallace, and Jay-Z.

He was nominated for the 2018 New Jersey Hall of Fame in the Performing Arts category.

Chosen as #5 in Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time. (April 2004)

Raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City.

Was considered for the role of Huggy Bear Brown in Starsky & Hutch (2004), which went to Snoop Dogg.

Attended the opening of Oprah Winfrey's school in South Africa.

Supported Senator Barack Obama's bid to win the Democratic nomination for the 2008 presidential election.

Has written a book, "Rock This!" (1997), and released four comedy albums.

Is a huge fan of Woody Allen.

Began his first-ever tour of Britain in January 2008.

Comedian Sherrod Small is his cousin and close friend.

Hosted The 77th Annual Academy Awards (2005) on February 27, 2005, and, despite concerns over the content of his monologue, he mostly kept this clean.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2003.

Son of Julius Rock and Rose Rock.

The role of Terk in Tarzan (1999) was envisioned as a male gorilla with Chris Rock in mind. He ultimately turned down the role and it went to Rosie O'Donnell.

Cousin of April Rock.

Born on exactly the same date as Jason Gedrick.