Dave Chappelle is a standup comedian, actor, and producer. His comedy and acting career have earned Dave millions since he started in 1993. If you want to know about Dave Chappelle’s net worth, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s talk about how much the millionaire comedian is worth and how he earned that money over the past three decades.

Plus, find out how to build a million dollar brand in about a year with our FREE training.

Dave Chappelle’s Net Worth$60 million
Date of BirthAugust 24, 1973
Age49 years
Gender Male
Height1.8m (5′ 11″)
Place of BirthWashington D.C., United States
ProfessionComedian, Actor, Screenwriter

What is Dave Chappelle’s Net Worth?

Dave Chappelle’s net worth is an estimated $60 million.

A large portion of his wealth comes from his Netflix comedy specials, but he also made a decent sum of money from Chappelle’s Show, and film roles in movies like A Star is Born.

Let’s travel back in time to how Dave Chappelle started his comedy career and became one of the most famous American comedians.

Dave Chappelle’s Early Life

David Khari Webber Chappelle was born to professors Yvonne Chappelle Seon and William David Chappelle III, on August 24, 1973, in Washington D.C. Dave’s parents split up when he was a child. He mostly lived with his mother and spent summers with his father in Ohio.

Dave’s family and friends always loved his comedy. Right from high school, Dave was confident about building a career in comedy. He even appeared in the first episode of America’s Funniest People with a Batman joke:

After graduating from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in 1991, Dave moved to New York to pursue his comedy career. Dave started performing at nightclubs and became popular on the New York comedy circuit.

Dave Chappelle’s Career

Chappelle quickly established a reputation as one of the best comics performing on the New York comedy circuit. He regularly appeared on shows like Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Soon after starting his comedy career, Dave made a film debut in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). Since then, he has appeared in many TV shows and movies, such as:

Dave appeared in various TV shows after 2005. However, he made a major comeback in 2013 with a series of comedy tours. He returned to his roots — the New York City circuit — after 11 years in 2014 to perform at the Radio City Music Hall.

In 2016, Dave hosted Saturday Night Live. Dave’s monologue earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.

The same month (in November 2016), Chappelle signed a deal with Netflix for three standup specials in one of the largest-ever deals between an OTT platform and a comedian. The contract reportedly entitled Chappelle to a $60 million payment for the specials.

The Netflix specials were a hit. Dave received a Grammy for Best Comedy Album for two of his Netflix specials (The Age of Spin and Deep in the Heart of Texas) in 2018.

Dave’s third special, Equanimity, won a Grammy and Emmy. Chappelle continued his streak in 2020 by winning a Grammy for the third consecutive year for Sticks & Stones.

Chappelle’s most recent special, The Closer, reportedly cost about $24.1 million to make — more than it cost to make Squid Game.

How did Dave Chappelle Make His Money?

Much of Dave’s income comes from his comedy and acting career. However, he also has other income sources, as we discuss below.

Product Endorsement

Dave has endorsed various products like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Pilot Boy Productions (Chappelle’s production house).

Screenwriting

Dave Chappelle was the writer for Dave Chappelle’s Block Party and Chappelle’s Show.

Comedy Tours

Tours bring in a good chunk of Dave’s income. He has been touring the U.S., Canada, and other countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland for years.

FAQ

What was Dave Chappelle's first stand-up show?

Dave’s first standup show was at the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night, right after he moved to New York as a fresh high school graduate to pursue a career in comedy. The audience booed him off stage, but he continued his journey with the same passion.

What stand-up comedy specials has Dave Chappelle released?

Dave Chappelle has released the following comedy specials:

What is Dave Chappelle's net worth?

Dave Chappelle’s net worth is an estimated $60 million.

How did Dave Chappelle achieve his career comeback?

Dave made a major comeback in 2013 with stand-up tours. He also returned to the NYC circuit and delivered multiple performances. Soon after, he appeared on SNL and signed a deal with Netflix for three specials. That’s how Chappelle achieved his career comeback.

What are some of Dave Chappelle's popular sketches?

Here are some of Dave Chappelle’s most popular sketches:

What awards has Dave Chappelle won?

Here are the awards Dave Chappelle has won so far during his career:

  • NAMIC Vision Awards: Best Comedic Performance (2004, 2005)
  • Gold Derby Awards: Variety Performer (2004)
  • Black Reel Awards for Television: Outstanding Guest Performer, Comedy Series (2017)
  • Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (2017)
  • Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Variety Special (2018, 2020)
  • Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2019)
  • Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special (2020)
  • Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (2021)
  • Black Reel Awards for Television: Outstanding Guest Actor, Comedy Series (2021)
  • Just for Laughs Comedy Festival: Comedy Person of the Year (2021)
  • Grammy Awards: Best Comedy Album (2018, 2019, 2020, 2023)

Takeaway

Dave’s love for comedy took him places. His career wasn’t always thriving, but he didn’t give up and switch to a traditional job. Quite the opposite — he took charge and made an impressive comeback after a slow period in his career.

The lesson? If you’re passionate enough about something, you’ll make it happen. If you want to follow in Dave’s footsteps and become a comedian, we’ll cheer for you! But if you want to build a successful brand that makes the world a better place, we can help you get there.

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