Chris Rock
CHRIS ROCK
Date of Birth: February 7, 1965
Born in Georgetown, South Carolina, Chris Rock was raised in New York's Bedford-Stuyvesant area with his five other younger siblings. His father, a truck driver, was strict and didn't permit any disobediance.
Chris made his screen debut playing a parking valet in Beverly Hills Cop II. But he really staked out his claim to fame on the small screen, most notably as a cast member of Saturday Night Live and In Living Color. A fast-talking, quick-thinking funny-man who always seems to have an ad-lib for the moment, Chris says: "The key is to never stop doing stand-up. Do a special and take what fruits come from it. Just be a comedian—that's pretty much the plan."
In 1999 he had his own television show, The Chris Rock Show, which earned him nominations for two Image Awards and and an Emmy for most outstanding writing for a Variety or Music Program.
Since his stint on Beverly Hills Cop II, he has had memorable roles in Boomerang (1992), Sgt. Bilko (1996), and Beverly Hills Ninja (1997). By 1998 he was landing lead and starring roles in a variety of hit films including voicing Rodney the guinea pig in Dr. Dolittle, joining the team in Lethal Weapon 4, and as a bitter angel in Dogma (1999). For the new millennium he took the lead in films such as Down to Earth and Osmosis Jones.
Since then he's made appearances in films such as The Longest Yard (2005), Grown Ups (2010), What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012) and 2 Days in New York (2012). He also took on two big sequels, reprising his role as the voice of Marty the zebra in Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) and as Kurt McKenzie in Grown Ups 2 (2013).
In 2016, Chris hosted the 88th Academy Awards ceremony. This sparked some controversy after Hollywood couple Will and Jada Pinkett Smith spearheaded a boycott over the lack of diversity among the nominees. Fans called for Chris to bow out of his duties, but instead he delivered an opening monologue addressing the lack of black nominees.
Chris played a big part in the comedy Top Five (2014). He starred in the film alongside actresses Gabrielle Union and Rosario Dawson. Chris also directed the movie and wrote the script.
Chris has two daughters with his wife, Malaak Compton.
Filmography (actor):
The Week Of (2018)Sandy Wexler (2017)
Top Five (2014)
Grown Ups 2 (2013)
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) (voice)
What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012)
2 Days in New York (2012)
Grown Ups (2010)
Death at a Funeral (2010)
Good Hair (2009)
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) (voice)
Bee Movie (2007) (voice)
I Think I Love My Wife (2007)
The Longest Yard (2005)
Madagascar (2005)
Head of State (2003)
Bad Company (2002)
Black Sheep (2001)
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
Osmosis Jones (2001) (voice)
Pootie Tang (2001)
Down to Earth (2000)
Nurse Betty (2000)
Dogma (1999)
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
Doctor Dolittle (1998)(voice)
Beverly Hills Ninja (1997)
Sgt. Bilko (1996)
Panther (1995)
The Immortals (1995)
CB4 (1993)
Coneheads (1993)
Boomerang (1992)
New Jack City (1991)
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
Filmography (director):
Top Five (2014)I Think I Love My Wife (2007)
Head of State (2003)