- Stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle on Tuesday was attacked by an audience member during a live performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Police said.
- A male suspect on Tuesday evening jumped on stage and onto Chappelle as he was about to exit, police said. Security officers intervened at that time to detain the suspect.
- Fellow comedian Chris Rock, who was attacked onstage by Will Smith at the Oscars in March, joined Chappelle onstage shortly after Tuesday’s incident.
U.S. stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle was attacked by an audience member during a live performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
A male suspect on Tuesday evening jumped on stage and onto Chappelle as he was about to exit, police said. Security officers intervened at that time to detain the suspect.
The suspect, whose identification is currently being withheld, suffered “superficial injuries” while being detained. He has been taken to a hospital for injuries and to be evaluated.
The LAPD said the man was armed with a replica gun that ejects a knife blade when discharged. It wasn’t immediately clear what the suspect’s motive was.
Chappelle, who was performing as part of the Netflix Is A Joke festival, was not injured in the attack, the LAPD said.
Netflix didn’t immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
The incident appeared to align with fears in the comedy world that Will Smith’s Oscars attack on Chris Rock, who joined Chappelle onstage after Tuesday’s events, could lead to similar incidents. Smith was banned from the Academy Awards for 10 years over his onstage assault of Rock, but Rock didn’t press charges.
Rock appeared alongside Chappelle shortly after the incident, according to footage circulating on social media. He was seen taking a microphone from Chappelle to quip, “Was that Will Smith?”
Chappelle recently struck a new deal with Netflix to produce more comedy specials after recent controversies. The 48-year-old comedian faced sharp criticism and protests last year when his routine in the Netflix special “The Closer” was accused of being transphobic.
In October, hundreds of people protested outside Netflix’s headquarters, calling on the streaming giant “to avoid future instances of platforming transphobia and hate speech.” Chappelle said in his Netflix special that LGBT people were “too sensitive” and that “gender is a fact.” He has since hit back at those he claims are trying to “cancel” him.
British comedian Jimmy Carr also performed at Tuesday’s event. Carr sparked outrage earlier this year after comments about the Gypsy, Roma and Traveler communities in his Netflix special, “His Dark Material.”
“The Hollywood Bowl show with the legendary Dave Chappelle was crazy,” Carr said via Twitter. “Just happy everyone’s ok.”
Source: Business - cnbc.com
