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Chris Rock Biography

Birth Name:
Christopher Julius Rock III
Birth Place:
Andrews, South Carolina, United States
Profession
Comedian, actor, producer, director, screenwriter

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
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Awards

  • 2017Writers Guild Awards-Comedy/Variety - Music, Awards, Tributes - Specials: nominated
  • 2016Emmy-Outstanding Special Class Program: nominated
  • 2016Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special: nominated
  • 2016Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special: nominated
  • 2015Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Specials: nominated
  • 2015Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Actor in a Comedy: nominated
  • 2015Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Specials: nominated
  • 2014National Board of Review-Spotlight Award: winner
  • 2010Writers Guild Awards-Documentary Screenplay: nominated
  • 2009Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special: winner
  • 2009Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2009Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2009Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special: winner
  • 2004Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2004Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 2004Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 2004Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2001Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 2001Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2000Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 2000Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2000Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2000Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 2000Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2000Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 2000Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 1999Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: winner
  • 1999Emmy-Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1998Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1997Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: winner
  • 1997Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1997Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: winner

Relationships