Chris Rock

Actor

Born in South Carolina in 1965 and raised in Brooklyn, Chris Rock was discovered by Eddie Murphy at the Comic Strip Live and rose to national prominence as a cast member on Saturday Night Live (1990–1993). He reached superstar status with his 1996 HBO special Bring the Pain, establishing himself as one of the most influential stand-up comedians of all time through his sharp commentary on race, politics, and relationships. Beyond the stage, Rock created and narrated the hit semi-autobiographical sitcom Everybody Hates Chris (2005–2009) and has starred in major film franchises like Madagascar and Grown Ups. A multi-talented force, he has also written and directed films such as Top Five and has hosted the Academy Awards twice, consistently remaining a central, though sometimes controversial, figure in American comedy.