Dave Chappelle Attacked on Stage in Los Angeles
by EG
A man assualted comedian Dave Chappelle on stage during a comedy routine Tuesday in Los Angeles. Just before the incident, Chappelle had joked that he needs more security since he has created controversy by including anti-transgender material in his comedy routines. After the incident, Chappelle made another anti-trans joke and boasted about beating up the man backstage. Read on for details.
Comedian Dave Chappelle was assaulted on stage during his set at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday night, according to people who attended the show and footage circulating on social media.
Several event attendees posted videos of the incident on Tuesday evening, the footage seeming to show Chappelle on stage performing when a man to his right rushes at him and tackles him to the floor.
The man is then seen to be dragged away by security.
NBC News Los Angeles reported that the LAPD had confirmed they had taken a man into custody and that he was armed with a replica gun “that can eject a knife blade” when discharged correctly. It wasn’t immediately clear if the man tried to use the weapon. Police said that Chappelle was not injured in the incident.
In video footage immediately after the attack, Chappelle is seen to recover his composure and joke, “It was a trans man.” The joke was a reference to the ongoing controversy surrounding some of the comedian’s jokes in his Netflix specials that have been construed as transphobic.
BuzzFeed News reporter Brianna Sacks, who attended the show, tweeted that the attack took place towards the end of Chappelle’s set, and the man “got his ass kicked” by security. She added that, before he was attacked, Chappelle had talked about needing more security after the controversy over his trans jokes.
Also in attendance was Stephanie Wash, a journalist for ABC, and she tweeted that Chris Rock, who performed earlier in the evening, then came on stage and joked: “Was that Will Smith?”
Later, in video of the curtain call, Chappelle spoke more about the incident and called out to thank actor-comedian Jamie Foxx. “Whenever you’re in trouble, Jamie Foxx will show up in a sheriff’s hat,” said Chappelle.
“N——, I thought that was part of the show, I didn’t know what the fuck…” Foxx jokes in response.
Chappelle then says, “I grabbed the back of that n—— head. His hair was spongy. Absorbent”
Foxx then takes a moment to address the crowd and Chappelle. “Listen, I just want to say, this man is an absolute genius. We’ve got to make sure we protect him at all times,” said Foxx.
He added, “For every comedian who comes out here, this means everything. You’re a genius. You’re a legend, I enjoyed myself thoroughly, and we’re not going to let nothing happen to you.”
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.