Chris Rock
In 1996, Rock's HBO stand-up special 'Bring the Pain' became a cultural sensation and won two Emmy Awards, establishing him as one of comedy's sharpest voices. After modest film roles and an SNL stint, the special made him a headline star. It launched his run as a top-tier stand-up and host.
Brooklyn Beginnings
Born in South Carolina in 1965 and raised in Brooklyn, Rock turned to stand-up as a teenager. Eddie Murphy discovered him and opened the door to films and Saturday Night Live.
Bring the Pain
His 1996 HBO special transformed him from supporting player into a stand-up superstar. Two Emmy wins confirmed his arrival as one of comedy's most incisive voices.
Host and Filmmaker
Rock hosted the Academy Awards in 2005 and 2016 and built a film career spanning Grown Ups and the self-directed Top Five. He remains a leading touring comedian.
Career Timeline
- 1987Film debut in Beverly Hills Cop II
- 1990Joins the cast of Saturday Night Live
- 1991Appears in crime drama New Jack City
- 1993Writes and stars in hip-hop comedy CB4
- 1996HBO special Bring the Pain wins two Emmys
- 1997Launches The Chris Rock Show on HBO
- 1999Releases acclaimed special Bigger & Blacker
- 2005Hosts the Academy Awards for the first time
- 2014Writes, directs and stars in Top Five
- 2016Hosts the Academy Awards a second time
Biggest Hits
- Eddie Murphy spotted Rock at a New York comedy club and cast him in Beverly Hills Cop II.
- His 1996 special Bring the Pain is widely ranked among the greatest stand-up performances ever recorded.
Portrait: David Shankbone · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons