Biography
Chris Rock first gained attention as a cast member during the early 1990s resurgence of "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975- ), though he found more lasting success as a stand-up comic, ranking No. 5 on Comedy Central's list of the "100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time." Rock's edgy, brilliant material often dared to take on the African-American establishment, but his critiques of broader American culture and politics proved to have universal …
Latest Tv Credits
1 - 4 of 4
Career Milestones
| Began working in NYC comedy clubs when he was 17 | ||
| Raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, NY | ||
1987 | Had early TV exposure on HBO special "Uptown Comedy Express" | |
1987 | Made film debut as a parking valet in "Beverly Hills Cop II"; first collaboration with Eddie Murphy | |
1990 | Spent two seasons (1990-92) as a featured player on "Saturday Night Live" (NBC); became a regular cast member for the 1992-93 season | |
1991 | Delivered key co-starring role as a crack addict in "New Jack City" | |
1992 | Played supporting role in the Eddie Murphy vehicle "Boomerang" | |
1993 | Co-wrote, produced and starred in the feature comedy "CB4" | |
1993 | Joined the cast of the Fox variety series "In Living Color"; appeared on nine episodes | |
1994 | Headlined the HBO Comedy Half-Hour Special "Chris Rock: Big Ass Jokes" | |
1996 | Began doing memorable TV commercials for 1-800-CALL-ATT | |
1996 | Made first appearance on NBC's "The Tonight Show" | |
1996 | Provided political convention coverage for "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" (Comedy Central); earned Emmy nomination for writing | |
1996 | Wrote, co-executive produced, and starred in the Emmy-winning "Chris Rock: Bring the Pain" (HBO); also earned Emmy Award for writing | |
1997 | Executive produced and starred in the HBO talk show "The Chris Rock Show"; also wrote; won third Emmy Award for writing show | |
1997 | Hosted the "MTV Music Video Awards" | |
1998 | Executive produced the sitcom "The Hughleys" (ABC, 1998-2000; UPN, 2000) | |
1998 | Had featured role in "Lethal Weapon 4" | |
1998 | Helped students at Howard University start a black humor magazine The Illtop Journal; also edited the first few issues | |
1998 | Voiced the guinea pig in the remake of "Dr. Dolittle"; second collaboration with Eddie Murphy | |
1999 | Again hosted the "MTV Music Video Awards" (broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera House) | |
1999 | Headlined second solo HBO comedy special "Chris Rock: Bigger & Blacker" | |
1999 | Played Rufus, the hitherto unknown 13th apostle in Kevin Smith's "Dogma" | |
2000 | Co-starred with Morgan Freeman and Renee Zellweger in Neil LaBute's "Nurse Betty" | |
2001 | Co-wrote, produced, and co-starred in "Pootie Tang," based on a character created in one of his HBO specials | |
2001 | First leading role in a feature, "Down to Earth"; also contributed to screenplay | |
2001 | Lent his voice to the title character in the animated feature "Osmosis Jones" | |
2002 | Teamed with Anthony Hopkins in the action comedy "Bad Company" | |
2003 | Feature directorial debut, "Head of State"; also starred and co-wrote | |
2003 | Received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame | |
2005 | Co-starred with Adam Sandler and Burt Reynolds in "The Longest Yard" remake | |
2005 | Hosted the 77th Academy Awards (ABC) at the Kodak Theater (aired in February) | |
2005 | Produced the comedy series "Everybody Hates Chris" (UPN, 2005-06; CW, 2006-present); inspired by his own teenage experiences growing up in 1980s Brooklyn; show earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Comedy Series in 2006 | |
2005 | Voiced Marty the Zebra in the animated comedy "Madagascar" | |
2007 | Directed and starred in a remake of a 1970s French film "I Think I Love My Wife" | |
2008 | Once again lent his voice to Marty the Zebra in "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" | |
2008 | Premiered his fifth HBO special "Kill the Messenger"; earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Special | |
2010 | Starred in and produced the black comedy "Death at a Funeral," a remake of the 2007 British film of the same name | |
2010 | Starred in ensemble comedy "Grown Ups," with Kevin James and former "SNL" cast members Adam Sandler, David Spade, and Rob Schneider | |
2011 | Made his Broadway debut in Stephen Adly Guirgis' controversial play "The Motherf*cker With the Hat" | |
2012 | Joined ensemble cast of romantic comedy "What to Expect When You're Expecting" | |
2012 | Reprised voice role of Marty the Zebra in "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" | |
Awards
1997 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety or Music Program in Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher |
1998 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety or Music Program in The Chris Rock Show |
1999 | MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance in Lethal Weapon 4 |
1999 | MTV Movie Award for Best Male Breakthrough Performance in Lethal Weapon 4 |
1999 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance In a Variety or Music Program in The Chris Rock Show |
1999 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety or Music Program in The Chris Rock Show |
2000 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series in The Chris Rock Show |
2000 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in The Chris Rock Show |
2001 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series in The Chris Rock Show |
2001 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in The Chris Rock Show |
2004 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special in Chris Rock: Never Scared |
2004 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Chris Rock: Never Scared |
2005 | Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album |
2009 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special in Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger |
2009 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Special in Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger |