A man rushed the stage at the Hollywood Bowl Tuesday night and tackled Dave Chappelle during his set at the “Netflix Is A Joke Festival.” An audience member captured the attack on a phone.
The Hollywood Bowl security team immediately jumped into action and apprehended the suspect, who had gone behind a screen. Chappelle told the audience the man was being stomped. The LAPD reported the man had been carrying a knife and a gun.
Chris Rock, who did a set earlier in the evening, joined Chappelle on stage soon after the attack and reportedly asked, “Was that Will Smith?” The comedian was, of course, referencing the "slap heard 'round the world" that Will Smith delivered to Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards.
Chappelle, who was not hurt, went on with his set. The star-studded line-up also included Jamie Foxx, who had run on stage after the attack and joined security to help detain the suspect.
Chappelle was recently the target of controversy in October 2021 due to his Netflix special “The Closer” in which he joked about trans people.
Authorities have not yet released a motive for the attack on Chappelle.
