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TO HONOR THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF FAMED AFRICAN AMERICAN ENTERTAINER, PRODUCER, AND WRITER DAVE CHAPPELLE.
Whereas, born August 24, 1973, in Washington D.C., Dave Chappelle is an American comedian, actor, producer, and writer. His career started while he was in high school at D.C.'s Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where he studied theatre arts. At the age of fourteen, he began performing stand-up comedy in nightclubs; and
Whereas, shortly after graduation, he moved to New York City, where he quickly established himself as a major young talent. At the age of nineteen, Dave made his film debut in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). He then starred in the short-lived sitcom Buddies (1996) and had a featured role in The Nutty Professor (1996); and
Whereas, his career has been enormously successful. This multitalented artist signed a $20 million deal with Netflix. He also won an Emmy Award in 2017 for his guest appearance on Saturday Night Live. In 2018, a Grammy Award came Dave's way for his Netflix Series The Age of Spin & Deep in the Heart of Texas; and
Whereas, called the "comic genius of America" by Esquire in 2006 and "the best" by a Billboard writer in 2013, Dave Chappelle is best known for his iconic and acclaimed satirical comedy sketch series Chappelle's Show (2003); and
Whereas, Dave is named for his great-grandfather William David Chappelle, a South Carolina minister and educator who was president of Allen University, a historically Black college in Columbia. In reference to his namesake, the comedian told one audience, "He was born a slave in South Carolina, was a slave for ten years of his life. And when the Northerners came down, they started educating some of the newly freed Black children, and he learned how to read. Became a man of education and dedicated his life to three things: education, freedom of Black people, Jesus Christ." Allen University's Chappelle Auditorium is named for Dave's great-grandfather. In 2017, in the newly renovated auditorium, Dave Chappelle spoke to a full house and was interviewed by Gayle King on CBS This Morning. He has frequented the city since as a welcome visitor. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the life and achievements of famed African American entertainer, producer, and writer Dave Chappelle. Now, therefore,
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dave Chappelle.
This web page was last updated on February 23, 2021 at 1:36 PM