Chris Rock Biography

Chris Rock, Comedian, Actor Birthplace: Andrews, SC Birthdate: February 7, 1965 Sign: Aquarius

Chris Rock was born in Andrews, South Carolina. Shortly after his birth, his parents relocated to Crown Heights in Brooklyn, NY. Only a few years later, his parent moved to another area of Brooklyn called Bedford-Stuyvesant. Rock's mother, Rosalie Tingman, was a teacher and a social worker for the handicapped. Rock's father, Julius Rock, a newspaper deliveryman and truck driver, was a very strict disciplinarian who died in 1988 after an ulcer surgery.

Rock has five younger brothers and sisters, Andre, Tony, Brian, Kenny, Andi and a half-sibling, Jordan. Rock claims that his main influence in performing style was Allen Rock, his paternal grandfather and preacher. Rock began his career in stand-up comedy in 1985 at the New York City comedy chain To Catch a Rising Star. He eventually moved up the comedy circuit and earned some small roles in films such as "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka" and the television series "Miami Vice."

Eddie Murphy discovered Rock after seeing his comedy act at a nightclub and gave him his first big film role in "Beverly Hills Cop II."

Shortly after, Rock took a role in the popular weekly comedy series "Saturday Night Live" in 1990. Along with Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and David Spade, Rock became known as one of the bad boys of "SNL."

He released his first comedy album titled "Born Suspect" in 1991. He also received critic's acclaim for his role as a crack addict in "New Jack City."

Rock left SNL in 1993 after appearing as a guest on the television series "In Living Color." Unfortunately, the show was cancelled a couple of months later and Rock decided go back to his stand-up comedy roots.

Rock's first HBO special "Big Ass Jokes" was released in 1994. His second special in 1996, "Bring the Pain" brought Rock to the forefront of comedy by establishing him as one of the best comedians in the industry and earning him two Emmy Awards. His role on Comedy Central's "Politically Incorrect" in 1996 during the Presidential elections earned him another Emmy nomination.

Rock's later HBO specials "Bigger and Blacker" in 1999 and "Never Scared" in 2004 gained him the title of "Funniest Man in America" from Time and Entertainment Weekly. HBO began to air his talk show, "The Chris Rock Show," which earned him critic acclaim for his interviews of politicians and celebrities and won him yet another Emmy.

Rock's successful movie roles that began in the 1990's included "Dogma,""Beverly Hills Ninja,""Lethal Weapon 4,""Nurse Betty,""The Longest Yard,"" Bad Company" and a starring role in "Down to Earth." He began to work more behind the camera as a writer and director of "Head of State" and "I Think I Love My Wife."

In 2005, he became an executive producer and narrator of the UPN television comedy series called "Everybody Hates Chris," which was based on his school days.

In 2007, Rock hosted the 77th Academy Awards ceremony to bring in a younger audience.

Rock was married in November of 1996 to Malaak Compton, the founder and executive director of StyleWorks, a non-profit salon that offers free services for women getting off welfare and joining the workforce. The couple has two daughters together, Lola Simone, 6, and Zahra Savannah, 4. He also has one son from his first marriage, Nazeeri Jafar, 24, which is virtually unpublished in the press. He currently lives in Alpine, NJ.

He is currently on an American tour titled "No Excuses," which may possibly air on HBO in 2009.