X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Chris Rock Biography

Birth Name:Christopher Julius Rock

Birth Place:Andrews, South Carolina, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack, Director

Fast Facts

  • Helped launch (RED), an organization focused on helping women and children in Africa who suffer from AIDS and HIV
  • His documentary "Good Hair" was named one of the "Top Five Documentaries of 2009" by the National Board of Review
  • Entertainment Weekly voted him the funniest person in America in 2004
  • Received the Variety Creative Impact in Comedy Award in 2015
  • Brother to actor Tony Rock
  • Started performing at Catch a Rising Star, a New York City comedy club that helped launch the careers of many famous comics
  • Worked in fast-food restaurants as a teenager before he got his break
  • Discovered and mentored by comedian Eddie Murphy
  • Quote: "I love my life, but I don't think I'm any happier than my younger brother Andre, who drives a garbage truck․"
  • Known for his seemingly angry stand-up comedy persona, he regularly paces the stage and shouts during his routines
  • Appeared in the music video "Smooth Operator" by Big Daddy Kane in 1989
  • Released his first album "Born Suspect" in 1991
  • Voiced the puppet character Lil Penny in Nike shoe ads in the late 1990s
  • Went to South Africa to attend the opening of Oprah Winfrey's school

Awards

  • 1995CableACE-Stand-Up Comedy Special: winner
  • 1997CableACE-Entertainment Host: winner
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: winner
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: winner
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1998Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special: nominated
  • 1998Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special: nominated
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Action/Adventure: winner
  • 1999Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special: nominated
  • 1999Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1999MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 1999MTV Movie Award-Best Breakthrough Male Performance: nominated
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: winner
  • 2000American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
  • 2000American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
  • 2000Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special: nominated
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer of a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 2001Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2001Image Award-Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special: nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 2003Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor - Comedy: nominated
  • 2004BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Directing for a Box Office Movie: nominated
  • 2004BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Box Office Movie: nominated
  • 2004Black Reel-Film: Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted): nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program: nominated
  • 2005BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Theatrical Film: winner
  • 2005BET Comedy Award-Best Performance in an Animated Theatrical Film: nominated
  • 2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Chemistry: nominated
  • 2006Blimp Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Feature: winner
  • 2006People's Choice Award-Favorite On-Screen Match-Up: nominated
  • 2006WGA Award (TV)-New Series: nominated
  • 2009Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Documentary: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special: winner
  • 2010Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2010Documentary Screenplay Award-: nominated
  • 2012Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2012Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Voice: nominated
  • 2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2013Black Reel-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2013Black Reel-Best Voice Performance: nominated
  • 2013Blimp Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: nominated
  • 2014Hollywood Film Award-Comedy of the Year: winner
  • 2014Spotlight Award-: winner
  • 2015Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015Black Reel-Outstanding Director, Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015Black Reel-Outstanding Screenplay (Original or Adapted), Motion Picture: winner
  • 2015Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Movie: nominated
  • 2015Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2015Creative Impact in Comedy Award-: winner
  • 2016DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Specials: nominated
  • 2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special: nominated
  • 2021Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
  • 2021Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television: nominated
  • 2021HCA Award-Best Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie: nominated
  • 2021Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2021Image Award-Outstanding Guest Performance: nominated
  • 2021Image Award-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture): nominated
  • 2021Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: nominated
  • 2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Live): nominated
  • 2024Golden Globe-Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television: nominated
  • 2024People's Choice Award-Comedy Act of the Year: winner