Chris Rock is undoubtedly one of the most famous entertainers on the planet. The 55-year-old New York native is not only one of America's preeminent stand-up comedians, but he's also spent the last three decades writing, directing, producing, and starring in some of the most beloved movies and TV shows of all time.
After making a name for himself on the long-running sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, Rock transitioned into mainstream cinema with CB4, a gangster-rap parody he wrote, produced, and starred in, three years later. After a long hiatus in stand up, and while collecting a number of other acting roles, Rock finally returned to the stage with the Netflix stand-up special Tamborine, in 2018.
He's Of Cameroonian Descent
In a 2008 PBS documentary program called African American Lives, Rock agreed to have his DNA tested before the public. The results of the test showed that Rock and his family descend from the African nation of Cameroon.
Specifically, Rock and his kin are from the Udeme population of Northern Cameroon. Rock's great-great-grandfather was a man named Julius Caesar Tingman, who was enslaved for more than 20 years until fighting on behalf of the United States Colored Troops in the American Civil War.
Discovered By Eddie Murphy
Rock started his stand-up career in 1984 through New York's Catch a Rising Star promotional club circuit. While performing a set soon after, the 19-year-old was discovered by Eddie Murphy, who was the hottest stand-up comedian at the time.
In 1987, Murphy gave Rock his first movie role in the successful buddy-cop sequel, Beverly Hills Cop II. Rock plays a parking valet in the film. Five years later, Rock reunited with Murphy in the successful rom-com Boomerang.
Two Original Comedy Albums & One Book
Although most comedy aficionados are aware of Rock's iconic stand-up TV specials, few know that he's also released two original comedy albums and written one book, as well.
Rock's first original comedy album, Born Suspect, was recorded in Atlanta in 1991. His second album, Roll With the View, won a Grammy Award in 1998. Rock also released two additional albums, Bigger and Blacker and Never Scared, which pulled material from his TV stand-up specials. In 1997, Rock's memoir Rock This! was published by Hyperion Books.
Appeared On In Living Color After SNL
After spending three years fighting for airtime on Saturday Night Live, Rock planned on exiting the show in 1993. However, he was essentially let go by showrunner Lorne Michaels ahead of the 1992-93 season.
Following his departure, Rock immediately joined the cast of rival sketch comedy show In Living Color as a guest star. Unfortunately, he only filmed six episodes before the show was canceled one month after he joined. With the exception of the first, Rock's episodes aired in 1994.
Accomplished Theater Actor
While Rock has steadily proved his acting chops on film and television over the years, few people know that he's also an accomplished Broadway theater actor. In 2011, Rock appeared alongside Bobby Cannavale and Annabella Sciorra in the play The Motherf*cker with the Hat, by Stephen Adly Guirgis.
For his performance in the film, Rock earned a Drama League Award nomination. According to Vibe, Rock wanted to demonstrate his acting chops, saying, "Sometimes when you do comedy, that can be a little formulaic and it's hard for really good directors to see that you can act."
Rare Box-Office Feat
Rock is one of very few actors to star in two mainstream American movies that were released in theaters on the same day. Moreover, the films opened at the number one and number two spot in the domestic box-office.
Rock starred in The Longest Yard and Madagascar, both of which were released on May 27, 2005. Not only did both films earn more than $100 million at the box-office, but they remained in the top two spots for the following week by knocking Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith out of the number one position.
Huge Seinfeld & Woody Allen Fan
Chris Rock is a gigantic fan of both Jerry Seinfeld and Woody Allen, both of whom have influenced his work as a standup comedian and directorial auteur. For example, Rock's most critically acclaimed movie as a director is Top Five, which has been compared to Allen's 1980 film, Stardust Memories.
Rock is not only a fan of Seinfeld's eponymous sitcom, but he is also a fan and friend of the iconic New York comedian's standup. The two have collaborated on Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee series, as well as in the documentaries Dying Laughing and Talking Funny.
Non-Verbal Learning Disorder
In a tidbit revealed just last month, Rock disclosed via The Hollywood Reporter that he has been diagnosed with a non-verbal learning disorder.
After a friend suggested he may suffer from Asperger's Syndrome, Rock underwent nine hours of testing. The results showed that Rock struggled to grasp nonverbal learning cues. As a result, Rock spends roughly seven hours of therapeutic treatment per week. Even so, Rock claims his condition is "really great for writing jokes."
Learned To Swim At 55
Although his sprawling Alpine, New Jersey, abode has boasted a swimming pool for years, Rock recently admitted that he learned how to swim for the first time, this year, at age 55. He also got his first tattoo at the same age (image via Dailymail).
Rock purchased his Alpine home in 2001, but never attempted to swim in the pool until 2020. Rock explains that swimming is part of his new exercise routine that also entails lifting weights and cutting sugar out of his diet. Rock even turned his inability to swim as a child into a joke, saying "you've got to not be scared to die" when learning.
Named Funniest Man In America By EW
Perhaps to the surprise of nobody, Chris Rock was named the "Funniest Man in America" by Entertainment Weekly in 2004. One year earlier, in 2003, Rock cemented his legacy in the film biz by being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Despite his comedic accolades, Rock shifted gears in 2020 with a standout turn in Fargo's season 4 and his script for Spiral, the newest chapter in the Saw horror movie franchise.