Dave Chappelle surprised fans in December 2025 by dropping a new Netflix stand-up special, The Unstoppable, with almost no warning. It came in the same year he hosted Saturday Night Live for the fourth time and appeared in the show's 50th anniversary special.
From open mic nights in Washington, D.C., to six Grammy wins, here is the story of one of the most celebrated stand-ups of his generation, plus our tribute designs in the comedians collection.
Dave Chappelle Fact File
| Full name | David Khari Webber Chappelle |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 August 1973 (age 53) |
| Place of birth | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Raised | Silver Spring, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Comedian, actor, writer, producer |
| Years active | Early 1990s-present |
| Known for | Chappelle's Show, Netflix stand-up specials, Half Baked |
| School | Duke Ellington School of the Arts (graduated 1991) |
Career History
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Robin Hood: Men in Tights | Ahchoo |
| 1996 | The Nutty Professor | Reggie Warrington |
| 1997 | Con Air | Pinball |
| 1998 | Half Baked | Thurgood Jenkins (also co-writer) |
| 1998 | You've Got Mail | Kevin Jackson |
| 2003-2006 | Chappelle's Show (TV) | Co-creator and star |
| 2017-2025 | Netflix stand-up specials | The Age of Spin to The Unstoppable |
| 2018 | A Star Is Born | Noodles |
A selection of his key film, TV and stand-up work by year. TV series are marked (TV).
Early Years and First Laughs
David Chappelle was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up between the capital and Silver Spring, Maryland. He studied theatre at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, graduating in 1991, and was already performing stand-up as a teenager.
After school he moved to New York to work the comedy clubs, and film roles soon followed, starting with Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993.
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Films and Chappelle's Show
Roles in The Nutty Professor, Con Air and You've Got Mail made him a familiar face, and in 1998 he co-wrote and starred in the stoner comedy Half Baked, his first lead role.
In 2003 he launched Chappelle's Show on Comedy Central with Neal Brennan. The sketch series became a phenomenon, and its DVD release was one of the best-selling TV releases of its time.
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The Netflix Era
In 2017 Chappelle returned to stand-up in a big way with a run of Netflix specials, starting with The Age of Spin and Deep in the Heart of Texas. Equanimity, Sticks & Stones, The Closer and The Dreamer followed, and the specials collected Grammys year after year.
He also hosted Saturday Night Live to acclaim and played Noodles opposite Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born.
Later Career
In 2019 he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center, one of comedy's highest honours.
He hosted SNL for a fourth time in January 2025 and released The Unstoppable on Netflix in December 2025, still selling out theatres more than 30 years into his career.
Awards
Grammy Awards
- Six wins for Best Comedy Album, including The Age of Spin, Sticks & Stones and The Dreamer
Emmy Awards
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting SNL (2017 and 2021)
- Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) for Equanimity
Other Honours
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2019)
Away From the Spotlight
Chappelle has long made his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and has supported the local community, including helping to fund a new facility for public radio station WYSO, which opened in 2026.
FAQs
How old is Dave Chappelle?
Dave Chappelle was born on 24 August 1973, so he is 53 years old.
Where was Dave Chappelle born?
He was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up there and in Silver Spring, Maryland.
How many Grammys has Dave Chappelle won?
He has won six Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album.
When was Chappelle's Show on?
Chappelle's Show aired on Comedy Central from 2003 to 2006.
What is Dave Chappelle's latest special?
His most recent Netflix special is The Unstoppable, released in December 2025.
What films has Dave Chappelle been in?
His films include Robin Hood: Men in Tights, The Nutty Professor, Con Air, Half Baked, You've Got Mail and A Star Is Born.
Shop the Dave Chappelle Collection
Celebrate a stand-up legend with our tribute and fan designs, printed to order in the UK.
Browse more comedy greats in our comedians collection. Want your own name on a hoodie instead? Try our custom name hoodie, made to order in the UK.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Chris Rock Career Story and Eddie Murphy Career Story.
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