DC Native Dave Chappelle Honored At Star-Studded Event

WASHINGTON, DC — D.C. native Dave Chappelle was at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Sunday night to accept the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and the stars turned out to support him.

The comedian was honored at an event featuring musical performances from such names as John Legend, Common and Q-Tip. Tiffany Haddish, Sarah Silverman, Morgan Freeman, Lorne Michaels, Bradley Cooper, Jon Stewart, Aziz Ansari and a number of "Saturday Night Live" cast members also honored Chappelle.

Chappelle became a household name in the early 2000s with the success of "Chappelle's Show" on Comedy Central, but he famously abandoned the show in the middle of filming the third season to head to Africa to do some soul-searching.

After a long hiatus, he returned to the world of comedy and now tours regularly. Chappelle reportedly signed a deal with Netflix in 2016 that would pay him $20 million per release, and he has released five standup specials as of 2019.

Chappelle has been no stranger to controversy lately, openly criticizing the #MeToo movement, joking about transgender people and saying he didn't believe Michael Jackson's accusers.

Chappelle attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts at the age of 14, and much of his early comedy centered on life growing up in the nation's capital.

"Dave Chappelle is an internationally recognized stand-up comedian and actor whose trademark wit and sharp, irreverent social commentary explores race, popular culture, sex, drugs, politics, and fame," the Kennedy Center said in a statement. "Arguably the most-touring comic on the circuit, Chappelle has performed more than 1,600 concerts worldwide in the past four years, selling out shows within minutes of their announcements."

In addition to the Mark Twain prize, Chappelle also has an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award.

Sunday's event will be broadcast on PBS stations on Jan. 7.