Dave Chappelle

David Khari Webber Chappelle

Dave Chappelle is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer best known for co-creating, writing, producing, and starring in the sketch-comedy series Chappelle's Show and for his subsequent stand-up specials.

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About Dave Chappelle

Profile information current to 2026-08-22.

Stand-up comedian, Actor, Writer

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Known for: Stand-up comedy; Sketch-comedy television; Comedy film

Stand-up comedian
Actor
Writer
Producer

At a glance

Chappelle co-created and co-wrote Chappelle's Show with Neal Brennan and served as its star and a producer.
His film work includes Robin Hood: Men in Tights and his first lead film role, Half Baked, which he co-wrote.
He received the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2019.
As of August 22, 2026, institutional award profiles listed six Grammy wins and five Emmy wins for Chappelle.

Background and early career

David Khari Webber Chappelle was born on August 24, 1973, in Washington, D.C. He began performing comedy as a teenager and graduated from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in 1991. In 1993, he made his feature-film debut as Ahchoo in Mel Brooks's Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

Film and television work

Chappelle had his first lead film role in the 1998 comedy Half Baked, which he co-wrote with Neal Brennan. The two later co-created and co-wrote Chappelle's Show, a Comedy Central sketch-comedy series that began in 2003 and featured Chappelle as its principal performer and a producer.

Stand-up work and recognition

Chappelle's later work includes stand-up specials such as Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer, on which he was credited as executive producer and performer. He received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2019, and The Dreamer won the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. Award profiles reviewed in August 2026 listed six Grammy wins, five Emmy wins, and a 2026 Emmy nomination for Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable.

Timeline

1973-08-24 Born in Washington, D.C.
1991 Graduated from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
1993 Made his feature-film debut in Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
1998 Took his first lead film role and a co-writing credit in Half Baked.
2003 Chappelle's Show began on Comedy Central, with Chappelle serving as co-creator, co-writer, performer, and producer.
2019-10-27 Received the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
2025 Won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for The Dreamer.

Additional verified details

Current context

The Recording Academy profile listed six Grammy wins and seven nominations for Chappelle, including Best Comedy Album wins for The Age of Spin & Deep in the Heart of Texas, Equanimity & The Bird Revelation, Sticks & Stones, The Closer, What's in a Name?, and The Dreamer. Award totals and listings reflect the Recording Academy profile reviewed on this date.
The Television Academy profile listed five Emmy wins and 14 nominations for Chappelle. Award totals reflect the Television Academy profile reviewed on this date.
The Television Academy profile listed Chappelle as a 2026 nominee for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) for Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable, credited as executive producer and performer.

Biographical facts

He was born on August 24, 1973, in Washington, D.C.
He graduated from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., in 1991.
PBS/WETA reported that Chappelle began his comedy career at age 14.
He made his feature-film debut as Ahchoo in Mel Brooks's Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
His first lead film role was in the 1998 comedy Half Baked, which he co-wrote with Neal Brennan.
He co-created and co-wrote Chappelle's Show with Neal Brennan and starred in and produced the series.
The Television Academy credits Chappelle as executive producer and performer on Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer.