Dave Chappelle Attacked on Stage During Netflix Comedy Festival Performance

Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage while performing at the Hollywood Bowl on May 3. The comedian was participating in the ongoing Netflix Is a Joke Fest when an attendee rushed the stage and tackled him. The assailant was swiftly carried away by security, and he was later found to be carrying a replica handgun that ejects a knife, NBC Los Angeles reported. He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

Chappelle was uninjured by the attack, and he even came back out to close out the set. In videos of his return to the stage, Chappelle joked that he initially thought the attack was just "part of the show." Jamie Foxx, who was in attendance, then joined him on stage and told the crowd: "This man is an absolute genius. We have to make sure we protect him at all times." Chris Rock, who performed earlier, also came on stage and asked, "Was that Will Smith?" referencing the incident at the 2022 Oscars.

A motive is not currently clear, but BuzzFeed News reporter Brianna Sacks, who attended the show, said Chappelle, earlier in his set, spoke about needing more security due to the backlash over his prior transphobic comments. When he returned to the stage, Chappelle said of the assailant, "It was a trans man."