Dave Chappelle's career started while he was in high school at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC where he studied theatre arts. At the age of 14, he began performing stand-up comedy in nightclubs. Shortly after graduation, he moved to New York City where he quickly established himself as a major young talent. At the age of 19, Chappelle made his film debut in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). Chappelle then starred in the short-lived sitcom, Buddies (1996) and had a featured role in The Nutty Professor (1996).
Dave Chappelles Karriere begann während seiner High School an der Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, wo er Theaterkunst studierte. Im Alter von 14 Jahren begann er, Stand-up-Comedy in Nachtclubs aufzuführen. Kurz nach seinem Abschluss zog er nach New York City, wo er sich schnell als ein großes junges Talent etablierte. Im Alter von 19 Jahren gab Chappelle sein Filmdebüt in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). Danach spielte Chappelle die Hauptrolle in der kurzlebigen Sitcom Buddies (1996) und hatte eine Hauptrolle in Der verrückte Professor (1996).