Chris
Rock

Chris Rock rose to the top of the comedy world with the unapologetic brashness that prompted him to title his Grammy-winning 1999 comedy album “Bigger & Blacker.” A swaggering stand-up unafraid to be controversial, particularly about race in America, he’s been a consistently irreverent voice in comedy since the moment he stepped on stage.

For three decades, Rock has been one of the country’s most influential and respected comedians. Though his success hasn’t always translated to the big screen, where he’s yet to star in a box-office hit, the appetite for his barbed stand-up has only grown during an eight-year hiatus from the stage. In 2017 he’ll make a dramatic return to his roots, after signing a massive $40 million deal with Netflix to produce two comedy specials, followed by a world tour.

Born in Andrews, SC, the Brooklyn transplant was a rising stand-up before landing a memorable but short-lived stint on “Saturday Night Live.” He broke out with the Emmy-winning HBO special “Bring the Pain,” which led to his own variety show, “The Chris Rock Show.” In 2005 he debuted the critically acclaimed sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris.” Rock has won four Emmys and three Grammys. He’s directed three films, including 2014’s “Top Five,” in which he starred.