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. Although Rock frequently appears on the big screen, he has fared better as a supporting player than as a lead. In fact, 2003's
Head of State, which he wrote, directed and starred in, is depressingly tame. By 2005, the edgy comedian was so popular that he was invited to host one of Hollywood's most staid events, the Oscars. (Although he kept things PG, he has yet to be invited back.) That same year, he debuted
Everybody Hates Chris, a family-friendly sitcom loosely based on his upbringing, which he narrates in his unmistakable cadence.
Chris Rock Fast Facts:
- The oldest of seven, 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 caught 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 lack of funds, the magazine folded in 2004.
- Did voice-over work for 1-800-COLLECT and Nike TV ads.
- Author of the best-selling book Rock This!
- 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 Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 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
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1999 Emmy: Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1998 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1999 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 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
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Nominee
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special - Winner
