Dave Chappelle Net Worth | This is How He Makes His Money

Dave Chappelle, the comedic legend is widely known for his long career in the entertainment world, but how much do you know about his lifestyle, his wife, his children and his net worth? Have you ever wondered how much Dave Chappelle is worth?

The stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer is famous for his roles on the big screen and impersonations such as that of Rick James from a famous sketch on his TV show. Chapelle recently announced the return of his comedy show to Netflix set to air later this year and we certainly can’t wait! In the meanwhile let’s see what more we can learn about the veteran star.

Dave Chappelle Net Worth time line

Dave Chappelle’s net worth time line, take us back to the early 90’s. Chappelle is not unknown on the small screen. While his primary focus is on comedy, he is more than willing to show his face on television. He appeared on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam in 1992 and won critical and popular acclaim for his performance.

Chappelle’s early comedy films, have certainly earned him some money since its initial release. He made his film debut in 1993. Movies like Half Baked has gained him a following despite its poor critical reception.

Chappelle’s Show ran from 2003 to 2006 on Comedy Central. The show has maintained popularity, and even was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Top 100 Shows in 2007. At one point, the first season DVD set of the show was the best-selling TV series of all time.

In 2016, he inked a lucrative deal with Netflix for what was initially three stand-up specials — two never-before-seen specials from Chappelle’s personal comedy vault, The Age of Spin and Deep in the Heart of Texas, and one original named Equanimity.

In 2017, a fourth special, The Bird Revelation, filmed at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, was released together with Equanimity in December 2017.

Also in 2017, twelve years after he walked off his eponymous Comedy Central series, Chappelle returned to the mainstream spotlight. The first two of his Netflix specials–which each came with an eight-figure check–were Netflix’s most-watched stand-up specials ever, according to the streaming service.

In 2018, he made the Forbes list as one of the highest paid comedians. The former Comedy Central star banked $20 million for his third Netflix special, “Equanimity.” Offscreen, Chappelle padded his paycheck with touring, including a Radio City residency and a concert with John Mayer.

Chappelle has also made big money from his comedy albums, in fact, he won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for three consecutive years, which certainly boosts up his sales each year.

In 2019, he came trough with another special, Sticks and Stones.

In 2021 he announced the return of his show to Netflix, following a battle over his license.

Dave Chappelle Net worth 2021

Dave has certainly made a lot of money in his career as a comedian, according to online sources Dave Chappelle Net worth in 2021, is close to $50 million dollars.

There are different ways in which high profile comedians, like Dave Chappelle make their money including live events, stand-up specials, albums, appearances, endorsement deals, acting roles and in his case, his own popular sketch comedy show.

What brand is Dave Chappelle signed with?

Dave Chappelle signed a contract with ViacomCBS. According to Chappelle himself, he signed a contract with Comedy Central about two decades ago.
It was that signature, Chappelle said, that laid the groundwork for his current tension with ViacomCBS. He said that the company had licensed his old Comedy Central sketch show, “Chappelle’s Show,” to both Netflix and HBO Max without providing additional compensation — or even informing him about the deal.

At the time of his contract years ago, Dave was broke and desperate.

Dave Chappelle Book deal / Shoe Deal / Netflix deal

In November 2016, it was announced that Dave had signed a deal with Netflix to deliver three standup specials to the streaming service. Dave was reportedly paid $60 million for the specials.

Following his first appearance on Netflix in 2017 with The Age of Spin: Live at the Hollywood Palladium, Chappelle has included five Netflix original stand-up specials for the streaming service. As an incredibly well-known comedian, these specials receive a lot of views and has allowed Chappelle to really carve out a niche for himself. Other comedians are on Netflix as well, but Chappelle certainly dominates, even if some think his specials are highly offensive.

Dave Chappelle Endorsements

In 2020, Chappelle revealed that Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, became the first presidential candidate he’s endorsed.
The stand-up comedian endorsed the Democratic presidential candidate, saying he was a member of the “Yang Gang” in a campaign news release.

Dave Chappelle Real estate

Dave Chappelle real estate certainly includes his home in Ohio. In 2005 Chappelle purchased a modest home in the Yellow Springs area of Ohio. It’s the same area where he spent summers as a child with his father.
The 3,154-square-foot, 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath home sits on 39 acres of gorgeous farmland and includes a private, gated entrance. Current estimates place the home’s value at $277,330.
Chappelle also owns several houses in Xenia, Ohio.

Dave Chappelle Ventures and Investments

Talking about Dave Chappelle’s ventures and investments, in 2020 it was announced that the comedian and Yellow Springs resident was looking to open a new comedy club in the region.

Dave Chappelle Charity and philanthropy

Dave donates his time to Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine. The organization brings young leaders together from communities in conflict. He organized the Gem City Shine Charity concert in August 2019 in Dayton, Ohio, with a star-studded line up consisting of artists like Stevie Wonder and Chance the Rapper. The benefit concert was held in honor of the victim of the August 4, 2019 Dayton shooting, and raised nearly $70,000 for the Oregon District Tragedy Fund.

Dave Chappelle Early life

Dave Chappelle was born on August 24, 1973. Chappelle spent most of his time growing up in the Washington, D.C. area. Technically, he lived in Silver Spring, Maryland, just a few miles outside of the city.
Chappelle lived here for the majority of the year with his mother. When high school let out, he spent the summers in Ohio with his father.

Chappelle’s parents both had successful careers. His father, William David Chappelle III was a statistician who eventually became a professor at Antioch College located in Yellow Springs, Ohio. His mother, Yvonne K. Chappelle Seon was a professor at Howard University, Prince George’s Community College, as well as the University of Maryland. She additionally worked for the Prime Minister of Congo.

The two divorced when Chappelle was six-years-old. As a result, Chappelle spent his time between Washington, D.C., where his mother was located, and Ohio, where he spent summers with his father.

Dave Chappelle Career

Chappelle’s first starring role in a movie was the 1998 cult stoner film ‘Half Baked’, which he co-wrote with Neal Brennan. It was relatively commercially successful and led to him having roles in more successful films, such as ‘You’ve Got Mail’ and ‘Blue Streak’. By then, he was financially comfortable but nowhere near achieving millionaire status. That all changed at the turn of the Millennium when he became a household name.

Chappelle’s first hour-long special was aired on HBO in 2000 and this raised his profile significantly. He was then given his only weekly sketch show ‘Chappelle’s Show’ in 2003. The show was an instant success and Comedy Central offered him a $55 million contract to continue the show for two years. The terms of the contract allowed him to continue with other side projects also gave him a share of DVD sales.

Having his own television series is not the only way that this talented celebrity has earned his personal net worth of $42 million. He has worked as a producer on several shows, including the documentary ‘Dave Chappelle’s Block Party’, in which he also starred. He has also made money from his comedy tours and his stand-up appearances.

He enjoyed a huge resurgence in his career in 2013 and once again began appearing on television. It was announced in late 2016 that Netflix was paying Dave Chappelle $20 million per special for four specials; the first two of which were released in March 2017. This award-winning actor and comedian has since filmed the third and fourth specials for Netflix.

Dave Chappelle Personal life

When talking about Dave Chappelle’s personal life, we must say that the famous comedian is converted to Islam in 1998.
Dave Chappelle’s comedy and film roles may make him seem like he enjoys getting in trouble, but he lives a very quiet life alongside his wife and children. Contrary to what you may think, he is a one woman man and has been happily married for many years.

Dave Chappelle wife

Dave Chappelle wife is the lovely Elaine Chappelle.
She was born Elaine Mendoza Erfe on August 31 1974, she hails from Brooklyn and first met Dave in the 90s. As he puts it, “She was with me when I was poor.”

Dave Chappelle and Elaine have been married since 2001.

The two had been carrying on a long-distance relationship which they kept very private for quite some time before they tied the knot. They actually married during the annual Philippines-American picnic that is held in Dayton, Ohio. This is when they began to make public appearances together. The couple has been married for twenty years.

In his signature sense of humor, Chappelle has described his small multi-cultural family in the past saying, “My wife is Asian, and my children have someway turned out to be Puerto Rican.”

Dave Chappelle children

Chappelle has three children by his wife Elaine. He has two sons, Sulayman and Ibrahim, as well as a daughter named Sonal.

Dave Chappelle Awards and honors

In 2017, he won an Emmy Award for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Dave Chappelle has won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for three consecutive years.

Dave received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2019. Alongside Richard Pryor, Carol Burnett and David Letterman, Chappelle graciously accepted his award alongside many respected comedians in the industry who came to honor him for his prize. Widely considered as a high honor for comedians, this certainly raised Chappelle’s status in the entertainment world.

Dave Chappelle achievements

Dave Chappelle achievements are many, at 47, he has become one of the most distinctive voices in comedy with his laser-precise views on race, class and popular culture. His rocket to international stardom came in 2003 with the groundbreaking “Chappelle’s Show,” a half-hour blend of sketch, stand-up and musical guests. Chappelle has also appeared in films such as “Half Baked,” “The Nutty Professor,” “Con Air,” “You’ve Got Mail” and “Blue Streak,” as well as on over 40 national television shows including numerous appearances on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Politically Incorrect.” He starred in his own one-hour HBO special and also in “Dave Chappelle’s Block Party,” a concert documentary directed by dreamy surrealist Michel Gondry.

Dave Chappelle favorite cars and toys

Dave Chappelle does appear to have an expensive taste for luxury cars. The comedian has been photographed driving everything from a gorgeous white Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, to a Porsche Cayenne, a Rolls Royce Phantom drophead coupe, a Lexus LS460 and a Range Rover Sport.
He is also known to resell them afterwards.

Dave Chappelle favorite designer brand

Dave Chappelle is known for wearing nice clothes, and has been known to represent the Fashion Nova brand for clothing. He often reps their clothing brand during interviews to show off his style and their brand during appearances.

Favorite Quotes from Dave Chappelle

“My father told me ‘Name your price in the beginning. If it ever gets more expensive than the price you name, get out of there.’”

“You know you must be doing something right if old people like you.”

“Dave! Relax! Close your buttcheeks!”

“What did the 5 fingers say to the face. S L A P!”

“The worst thing to call somebody is crazy. It’s dismissive.”

Lessons learned from Dave Chappelle

“Money is the fuel for choices. Money gives me choices, so it’s not nothing, it’s something,” he continued. “But it’s not the end all, be all. There are other things in my life that I did not purchase with money that are very valuable.”

“If you don’t have the right people around you and you’re moving at a million miles an hour you can lose yourself.”

“I’m cool with failing so long as I know that there are people around me that love me unconditionally.”

“The world can’t tell you who you are. You’ve just got to figure out who you are and be there, for better or worse.”

“I felt in a lot of instances I was deliberately being put through stress because when you’re a guy who generates money, people have a vested interested in controlling you.”

What does Dave Chappelle do now?

Dave Chappelle will be busy now that he has announced that his show is back on Netflix. He said in a clip posted to IG, of the amicable outcome

“I asked you to stop watching the show and thank God almighty for you, you did. You made that show worthless because without your eyes, it’s nothing,” “And when you stopped watching it, they called me.”

Chappelle had claimed that he hadn’t been paid for his work since leaving the popular sketch series.

Where does Dave Chappelle live now?

Dave and his family have lived in Ohio for many years.

Where can I find Dave Chappelle on social media

Dave Chappelle is definitely active on social media, you can check him out on Instagram where he has 1.8 million followers.

Dave also has his own website, where you can get his merch. Products on Shopchappelle.com include masks, keychains and hoodies.