What is Dave Chappelle’s Net Worth in 2023? Is He The Richest Comedian?

Dave Chappelle is an Emmy-winning, Grammy-winning, a recipient of Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and overall award-winning comedian, actor, and producer.

He is best known for his early 2000s satire Chappelle’s Show, his appearances on Saturday Night Live, and has even done six (6) different comedy specials on Netflix.

Read on to learn about Dave Chappelle’s net worth and more.

What is Dave Chappelle’s Net Worth in 2023?

As of 2022, his net worth is estimated to be in the ballpark of $60 million.

This is almost double what Dave Chappelle’s net worth, according to Forbes was in 2018, $35 million. Compared to other comedy celebrity net worth, it doesn’t put him in the Top 50, according to Celebrity Net Worth, but it does make him very rich.

Year	Dave Chappelle’s Net Worth Growth At A Glance
2023	$60 million +
2022	$58 million +
2021	$51 million +
2020	$45 million +
2019	$37 million +
2018	$35 million +

How Does Dave Chappelle Make His Money?

Dave Chappelle primarily makes his money through his stand-up comedy, the acting that he has done over his career, and Chappelle’s Show (despite leaving $50 million on the table).

Much of his recent wealth comes from large Netflix deals.

Dave Chappelle’s Early Life

Born

David Khari Webber Chappelle or popularly known as Dave Chappelle, was born on August 24th, 1973. This makes Dave Chappelle’s age currently 49 years old.

He was born in Washington D.C., to father William David Chappelle III and mother Yvonne Seon, formerly named Chappelle. Both parents were professors at universities.

Raised

While Chappelle was born in the capital of the United States of America, he was raised in Maryland.

Spending his childhood in the wonderful city of Silver Spring, Maryland, he used to idolize Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor. He mostly lived with his mother but frequently spent summers in Ohio with his father.

He was expected to be a comedian at a young age due to his humor and comedic-like tendencies. At the youthful age of 14 years, Chappelle began his comedic career performing at nightclubs when he could.

He worked as an usher in a theatre before graduating from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in 1991, where he studied theatre.

Full Name	David Khari Webber Chappelle
Screen/Stage Name	Dave Chappelle
Gender	Male
Profession	Stand-Up Comedian, Actor, Screen Writer, Film Producer, Television Producer
Date of Birth	August 24, 1973
Place of Birth	Washington, D.C.
Marital Status	Married
Spouse	Elaine Erfe (2001 – present)
Children	Ibrahim Chappelle, Sanaa Chappelle, Sulayman Chappelle
Nationality	American
Height	183 cm (6′ 0″)
Parents	Yvonne Seon (Mother) William David Chappelle III (Father)
Years Active in Profession	1990 – Present
Distinguished Awards	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (2017, 2021)Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-recorded) (2018)Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album (2018, 2019, 2020)Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2019)Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for Variety Special (2020)
Monthly Income	$0.5 Million +
Annual Income	$6 Million +
Net Worth	$60 million +

Related: Peyton Manning Net Worth.

Dave Chappelle’s Rise to Fame

Early Career

After graduating from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Chappelle moved to New York City to begin his career as a full-time comedian.

Like many of us, Dave Chappelle was not entirely successful from the start. He was booed off stage before he really began to make a name for himself as a young upstart in the New York City comedy club scene.

Before even turning 20 years old, Chappelle had already jump-started his career. After performing on HBO in the early ‘90s, Chappelle gained popularity among fans and critics alike. He even opened for Aretha Franklin.

Movies

Dave Chappelle also had a budding acting career. He had a major supporting role in the movie by Mel Brooks, Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993).

Chappelle also acted in other movies, including the Nutty Professor, Con Air, and starred in his movie Halfbaked. The Nutty Professor starred one of his childhood idols: Eddie Murphy.

Chappelle’s Show

In 2003, Dave Chappelle began his own television series, Chappelle’s Show, on Comedy Central. This was an incredibly popular show and likely contributed a great deal to the current $60 million that is Dave Chappelle’s net worth.

In the middle of the third season, citing 20-hour workdays and not enough time to devote to his stand-up as reasons for leaving.

Racial tensions behind the scenes have been rumored to impact leaving as well. Chappelle could have had an additional $50 million from the contract with Comedy Central but blew it up by leaving Chappelle’s Show.

Netflix Career

A significant amount of money has been made by Dave Chappelle with his Netflix deal. In 2016 Dave Chappelle signed a deal to put out 3 Netflix specials.

These Netflix specials have purportedly earned Chappelle close to $60 million total over a few years. That is nearly almost Dave Chappelle’s net worth at the moment, in its entirety.

Dave Chappelle Family 

In 2001, Dave Chappelle married his wife Elaine. Subsequently, they had three children.

They had two boys named Sulayman and Ibrahim. They also had one daughter named Sanaa. Dave Chappelle’s wife and three (3) kids live with him in Yellow Spring, Ohio. 

Awards

Chappelle has received 5 Emmy awards, two of which were for performances on Saturday Night Live.

Chappelle received three (3) Grammy awards for best comedy album. Dave Chappelle has also received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and has been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award.

How Does Dave Chappelle Spend His Money?

Dave Chappelle is known for spending money on different charities.

Chappelle has notably supported his high school, the Duke Ellington School for the Arts. He has donated at least $100,000 over the years to the high school.

He continues to raise money for the high school, including a recent Instagram vote to name the theatre building after him. This is a contest to see which side will donate the most money.

In terms of other charitable spending, Dave Chappelle has supported the following charitable causes:

• Be the Charge
• BrittiCares International
• Dikembe Mutombo Foundation
• Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation

He bought a 65-acre property in Ohio that he and his family live on. He has been known to live a fairly modest life without any unusually big-spending habits.

Top 10 Dave Chappelle Comedy Specials

Dave Chappelle has done many comedy routines over his career. He is an extremely prolific stand-up comedian, in addition to his work for movies and television.

Here are his Top 10 Comedy Specials, as rated by IMDb.

1. Killin’ Them Softly (2000)
   1. This one-hour HBO special provides an insightful commentary on the racial divide in America. This has largely been known as one of his best works in his over 30-year-long career. (8.8 ratings)
2. Chappelle’s Show (2003-2006)
   1. Chappelle’s show was the source of a significant amount of his initial popularity. It ran for two seasons and three (3) episodes with Dave Chappelle starring and had many great comedic specials. (8.7 ratings)
3. For What It’s Worth (2004)
   1. This is Chappelle’s second stand-up after his HBO special. It can be underrated sometimes but is a wonderful addition to Chappelle’s career. (8.6 ratings)
4. Sticks and Stones (2019)
   1. This Netflix special takes on many controversial topics. As such, this special caused several controversies regarding Chappelle himself. (8.5 ratings)
5. 8:46 (2020)
   1. Keeping comedy alive during this pandemic, this short references the death of George Floyd. (8.2 ratings)
6. Equanimity (2017)
   1. This was the final Netflix special to come out in 2017. This special goes through his childhood and takes on fake media. It also addresses his controversy with the transgender community. (8.2 ratings)
7. 8:46 (2020)
   1. Keeping comedy alive during this pandemic, this short references the death of George Floyd. (8.2 ratings)
8. The Age of Spin (2017)
   1. Another Netflix special, The Age of Spin discusses generational problems and is known for an O. J. Simpson-related beginning. (8.1 ratings)
9. The Closer (2021)
   1. A recent addition to Chappelle’s stand-up career, it is an extremely controversial special even with its general comedic efforts. It primarily attacks the LGBTQ+ community. (8.1 ratings)
10. Deep in the Heart of Texas (2017)
    1. This Netflix special takes on racism, and other tough topics like ISIS, in a comedic way. (8 ratings) 
11. Saturday Night Live (2016)
    1. This special, right after Trump was elected, focused on the election of Trump and the rise of the phrase Blue Lives Matter. (8.8 ratings)

Favorite Quotes from Dave Chappelle

• “You can become famous, but you can’t become unfamous.”
• “Who goes from America to Africa for medical treatment? It was the most irresponsible journalism I’ve ever seen.”
  • This quote is in regard to media comments that Chappelle had spent time in Africa for drug-induced medical treatment. 
• “Turns out you don’t need $50 million to live around these parts, just a nice smile and a kind way about you. You guys are the best neighbors ever… That’s why I came back, and that’s why I’m staying.”
  • This quote is in regard to living in Ohio, as Chappelle currently does.

Related: Adam Sandler’s Net Worth.

Dave Chappelle Highlights

Dave Chappelle’s Netflix shows have been a significant source of Chappelle’s net worth. Dave Chappelle’s net worth is around $60 million, and he has earned a bit over $60 million from his Netflix specials combined.

Best Netflix Special Highlights

• The O. J. Runner
  • Commentary on O. J. Simpson
• The Racial Hot-Seat
  • Commentary on minorities in America
• Snowball Fight
  • Commentary on being in his hometown and being hit by a snowball
• Kevin Hart
  • Commentary on how his son laughed harder at Kevin Hart than at him
• Bill Cosby
  • Commentary on the legacy that Bill Cosby leaves behind

Dave Chappelle Net Worth FAQs 

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