CHRIS ROCK (Marty the Zebra), who is widely recognized as one of America’s most influential comedians, is also one of its most honored, having been recognized with numerous awards, including three Emmys, two Grammys, and an American Comedy Award. He was recently seen by millions of people worldwide as the host of the 77th annual Academy Awards®, and also wrote and starred in his fourth HBO special, “Chris Rock: Never Scared.”
On the big screen, Rock next stars in the remake of the football comedy “The Longest Yard,” with Adam Sandler and Burt Reynolds.
In 2001, Rock appeared in two feature films, first starring in the romantic comedy “Down to Earth,” which he also co-wrote. Directed by Paul and Chris Weitz, the film is an updated remake of “Heaven Can Wait” with an urban twist. Later in the year, Rock produced and starred in the comedy “Pootie Tang.” In 2003, he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the political comedy “Head of State.”
Rock previously joined the ensemble cast of Neil LaBute’s critically acclaimed dark comedy “Nurse Betty.” Rock’s other feature film credits include Kevin Smith’s “Dogma”; the hit sequel “Lethal Weapon 4”; 2002’s “Bad Company,” with Anthony Hopkins; “New Jack City,” playing a desperate crack addict, which marked his first dramatic role; “I'm Gonna Git You Sucka!,” with Keenen Ivory Wayans; and “Beverly Hills Cop II,” in which he made his feature film debut. He also lent his voice to the 1998 hit comedy “Dr. Dolittle,” and Steven Spielberg’s futuristic fantasy “A.I.”
Rock grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. After honing his comedic skills on the comedy club circuit, he realized a long-held dream when he joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live” in 1989. In 1994, Rock emerged as a comedy star in his own right with the award-winning HBO special “Chris Rock: Big Ass Jokes.” In 1996, he scored even greater success with another HBO special, “Bring the Pain,” which brought Rock two 1997 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special and Outstanding Writing. That same year, Rock also picked up an Emmy nomination for his writing on the show “Politically Incorrect.” Giving “Bring the Pain” a successful life beyond its airing on HBO, DreamWorks Records released a home video and DVD of the special, as well as a Grammy Award-winning CD.
In the wake of his two highly rated specials, Rock expanded his presence on HBO to the series “The Chris Rock Show,” which brought him a shared Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing. In addition, he received three more shared Emmy Award nominations for writing, two nominations for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series, and two individual nominations for his work as the series host.
Rock’s next HBO special, “Bigger & Blacker,” was taped on the stage of Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theatre. It also spawned a hit CD, which won a 2000 Grammy Award for Best Spoken or Comedy Album. In addition, his first book, Rock This (Hyperion, 1997), spent time on the bestseller lists of both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
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