Who Is Dave Chappelle? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Dave Chappelle is an acclaimed American comedian, actor, and writer, well-known for his sharp wit and social commentary. Born on August 24, 1973, he turns 52 in 2025. Chappelle gained national prominence with his hit television show, "Chappelle's Show," which aired on Comedy Central from 2003 to 2006. With a career spanning over three decades, he has established himself as one of the most influential comedians of his generation.
| Occupation | Stand-up Comedians |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 24, 1973 |
| Age | 51 Years |
| Birth Place | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Dave Chappelle's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Chappelle stands at an impressive height of 6 feet (183 cm). His weight fluctuates but is generally around 165 lbs (75 kg). Known for his lean physique, Chappelle maintains a healthy lifestyle, which complements his active work schedule.
In 2000, Chappelle recorded his first hour-long HBO special, Dave Chappelle: Killin' Them Softly, in Washington, D.C. He also starred alongside Norm Macdonald in the 2000 comedy film Screwed. He followed this with an appearance as "Conspiracy Brother" in the 2002 racial satire Undercover Brother.
During the early 2000s, Chappelle was a member of the Spitkicker artist collective, along with many hip-hop artists like De La Soul and Talib Kweli.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Dave Chappelle is happily married to his wife, Elaine Chappelle, since 2001. Together, they have three children. Chappelle is known for being a private individual when it comes to his family life, often keeping his personal affairs out of the public eye. He focuses on maintaining a strong family bond, balancing his career with his dedication to his loved ones.
His father, William David Chappelle III, was a professor of vocal performance and the dean of students at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
His mother, Yvonne Seon (Reed, formerly Chappelle), worked for Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, is a Unitarian Universalist minister, and worked as a professor and university administrator at several institutions including Wright State University and Prince George's Community College. Chappelle has a stepmother and a stepbrother.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Dave Chappelle's estimated net worth is around $60 million. His earnings primarily come from his comedy specials, acting roles, and various business ventures. After signing a lucrative deal with Netflix, which has added significantly to his earnings, Chappelle continues to be a major player in the entertainment industry.
Career, Business, and Investments
Chappelle's career took off with the success of "Chappelle's Show," propelling him into stardom. Since then, he has released multiple stand-up specials, many of which have been critically acclaimed and have earned him numerous accolades, including Emmy Awards.
In addition to his comedy, Chappelle is involved in several business ventures, including investments in cannabis, which he believes has healing properties. This shows his versatility and interest in entrepreneurial pursuits beyond the entertainment sphere.
Chappelle was featured in a montage of random people telling jokes in the first episode of ABC's America's Funniest People, airing on September 13, 1990. Following his high school graduation, Chappelle moved to New York City to pursue a career as a comedian.
He performed at Harlem's Apollo Theater in front of the "Amateur Night" audience, but he was booed off stage. Chappelle described the experience as the moment that gave him the courage to continue his show business aspirations. He quickly made a name for himself on the New York comedy circuit, even performing in the city's parks.
In addition to weekend stand-up gigs, he honed his craft at Monday night "open mic" performances at places such as the Boston Comedy Club on West 3rd Street, as late as the summer 1994. In 1992, he won critical and popular acclaim for his television appearance in Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam on HBO.
It was his appearance on this show that allowed his popularity to truly begin rising, eventually allowing him to become a regular guest on late-night television shows such as Politically Incorrect, Late Show with David Letterman, The Howard Stern Show, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Whoopi Goldberg nicknamed him "The Kid".
At 19, he made his film debut as "Ahchoo" in Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights. He also appeared on Star Search three times but lost to competing comedian Lester Barrie; Chappelle later joked about becoming more successful than Barrie. The same year, Chappelle was offered the role of Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue in Forrest Gump.
Concerned the character was demeaning and the movie would bomb, he turned down the part. He parodied the film in the 1997 short Bowl of Pork, where a dim-witted black man is responsible for the Rodney King beating, the LA riots and O. J. Simpson's being accused of murder.
Chappelle played another supporting role in an early Doug Liman film, Getting In, in 1994. At age 19, he was the opening act for R&B soul singer Aretha Franklin.
Social Network
Chappelle is relatively private on social media, preferring to let his work speak for itself. However, he actively engages with his fans through platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where he occasionally shares insights into his life and thoughts on current events. His official handles have garnered millions of followers, demonstrating his widespread appeal and connection with fans.
He and Neal Brennan co-wrote the 1998 cult stoner film Half Baked, Chappelle's first starring role, about a group of marijuana-smoking friends trying to get their other friend out of jail.
It made money at the box office and remains a classic "stoner" film, a genre that includes the Cheech & Chong films as well as more recent fare like Judd Apatow's Pineapple Express. In December 1998, Chappelle appeared as Tom Hanks' character's friend and confidant in You've Got Mail. In 1999, he appeared in the Martin Lawrence film Blue Streak.
Education
Chappelle attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where he honed his skills in drama and acting. His education laid the groundwork for his incredible career in comedy and entertainment. He also spent time in New York City, where he performed at various comedy clubs, further shaping his unique comedic voice.
Chappelle has appeared in various films, including Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), The Nutty Professor (1996), Con Air (1997), You've Got Mail (1998), Blue Streak (1999), Undercover Brother (2002), Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005), Chi-Raq (2015) and A Star Is Born (2018).
His first lead role was in the 1998 comedy film Half Baked, which he co-wrote. Chappelle also starred in the ABC comedy series Buddies (1996). In 2016, he signed a $20-million-per-release comedy-special deal with Netflix and released six stand-up specials under the deal.
