This Brooklyn-bred comic with the oversize smile was just a teen when he started doing stand-up. Stints on
Saturday Night Live and (briefly)
In Living Color raised his profile, but it was his HBO specials, eponymous talk show and frequent hosting gigs that turned him into a star. Rock frequently appears on the big screen, and in 2003, he branched out to write, direct and star in
Head of State. By 2005, the edgy comedian was so popular that he was invited to host the Oscars. That same year, he debuted
Everybody Hates Chris, a family-friendly sitcom loosely based on his upbringing. The show aired for four seasons, and though Rock didn't star on the show, he took on the roles of cocreator, executive producer and narrator. In 2009, Rock worked on
Good Hair, his first documentary. Inspired by his daughters, Rock explored black America's obsession with their hair and how it relates to their cultural identity.
Chris Rock Fast Facts:
- The oldest of seven children, he dropped out of high school in 10th grade to pursue stand-up comedy.
- Film debut was a small role in 1987's Beverly Hills Cop II. He was personally cast by Eddie Murphy after the star spotted Rock's act.
- Received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
- Helped create The Illtop Journal, Howard University's black humor magazine. Due to a lack of funds, the magazine was canceled in 2004.
- Did voice-over work in TV commercials for 1-800-COLLECT and Nike (as puppet Li'l Penny).
- Author of the best-selling book Rock This!
- Was inspired to make the 2009 documentary Good Hair after one of his daughters asked him why she didn't have "good hair."
- Idolizes fellow comedian Eddie Murphy and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.
- Chris Rock Relationships:
- Julius Rock - Father
- Lola Simone Rock - Daughter
- Malaak Compton-Rock - Wife
- Rose Rock - Mother
- Tony Rock - Brother
- Zahra Savannah Rock - Daughter
- Chris Rock Awards:
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1999 Emmy: Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Winner
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
- 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 1998 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1999 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1997 Grammy: Best Comedy Album - Winner
- 1999 Grammy: Best Comedy Album - Winner
- 2005 Grammy: Best Comedy Album - Winner
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Winner