A man reportedly jumped on stage and attacked comedian Dave Chappelle during his show Tuesday night.
ABC News’ Stephanie Wash reported Chappelle was “rushed and attacked on stage by a man at the Hollywood Bowl. Chapelle tussled w/ the man, who ran behind the screen on stage and was surrounded by security.”
She added, “LAPD confirm to KABC they responded to an incident at the Hollywood Bowl around 10:45 p.m., and a man who was reportedly armed with a gun and a knife was taken into custody.”
LAPD confirm to KABC they responded to an incident at the Hollywood Bowl around 10:45 p.m., and a man who was reportedly armed with a gun and a knife was taken into custody. #netflixisajokefest #DaveChappelle
— Stephanie Wash (@WashNews) May 4, 2022
Video taken by an audience member appears to show the man charging at Chappelle and pushing him over before security rushed the stage.
Dave Chappelle attacked on stage in front of a shocked audience at the Hollywood Bowl. He was not injured. Chris Rock, who was to perform later, came on stage and joked, “Was that Will Smith?”. Unlike Will Smith, however, this time the LAPD arrested the attacker. pic.twitter.com/3v3JkIzeRG
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) May 4, 2022
Another video shows the man being put into an ambulance while others booed him.
Just came out of the Hollywood Bowl where a man charged and tackled Dave Chapelle on stage and got his ass kicked by at least 10 people.
— Brianna Sacks (@bri_sacks) May 4, 2022
LAPD and LAFD are now loading him into an ambulance pic.twitter.com/7SXPe9e8az
According to police, the man had “superficial injuries” after being detained by security, as Axios reported.
After the attack, comedian Chris Rock appeared on the stage, asking, “”Was that Will Smith?” referring to the moment Smith slapped him at the Oscars.
Chappelle later thanked actor and comedian Jamie Foxx.
“Whenever you’re in trouble, Jamie Foxx will show up in a sheriff’s hat,” Chappelle said.
Foxx responded, “N****, I thought that was part of the show, I didn’t know what the f**k.”
Chappelle continued, “I grabbed the back of that n***** head. His hair was spongy. Absorbent.”
Foxx added, “Listen, I just want to say, this man is an absolute genius. We’ve got to make sure we protect him at all times.”
He went on, “For every comedian who comes out here, this means everything. You’re a genius. You’re a legend, I enjoyed myself thoroughly, and we’re not going to let nothing happen to you.”
Chappelle performed as part of the Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival with other comedians, including Leslie Jones, Jon Stewart and Chris Rock.
Chappelle made headlines last year after many in the LGBTQ community grew outraged over his Netflix special “The Closer.”
Additionally, Netflix employees participated in a walkout after the company allowed the special to remain on the platform.
