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