Happy 48th birthday Chris Rock! Rock is a comedian, actor, producer, director and screenwriter whom Comedy Central proclaimed to be the fifth-greatest stand-up comedian of all time. His 1996 comedy special, “Bring The Pain,” won two Emmy Awards and critical acclaim. Richard Pryor, Rock’s hero, was named by Comedy Central the No. 1 stand-up comedian of all time.
After being beaten and bullied by white students in high school, Rock dropped out, earned his GED, and worked at several fast-food restaurants. While doing stand-up at New York City’s Catch a Rising Star in the ’80s, he befriended Eddie Murphy and was given a small role in Beverly Hills Cop II in 1987.
He married Malaak Compton on Nov. 23, 1996, and they have two daughters, Lola Simone and Zahra Savannah. Rock has three younger brothers; Tony, Kenny and Jordan, who are also in the entertainment business as well.
Check out the many funny faces of Rock in the gallery. –joi pearson
