Comedian Dave Chappelle was attacked by an audience member while performing on stage at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday night. Chappelle appeared as part of the Netflix Is A Joke Festival, when during his set a man from the crowd leaped up on stage and attempted to tackle the comedian to the ground. Following the assault, the man was then dragged away by security. Those who witnessed the event took to social media to share footage of the incident.

It has also since been reported by NBC Los Angeles that the LAPD were called to respond to the assault and that a man has now been taken into custody. He was reportedly armed with both a knife and was carrying a fake gun. So, things could have been much worse.

Following the attack, footage shows Dave Chappelle quickly recover before joking, “It was a trans man,” in reference to the ongoing controversy that has surrounded the comedian since the airing of his Netflix specials. Chappelle has been accused of transphobia due to some of his material, and it is likely that this joke after the attack will only add fuel to that already raging fire.

Dave Chappelle Went on to Thank Actor Jamie Foxx

jamie-foxx
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Later, during his curtain call, Dave Chappelle heaped praise on the Academy Award-winning actor and comedian Jamie Foxx saying, “Whenever you’re in trouble, Jamie Foxx will show up in a sheriff’s hat.” Foxx responded saying, “N—, I thought that was part of the show, I didn’t know what the fuck…”

Chappelle then added: “I grabbed the back of that n— head. His hair was spongy. Absorbent.”

Foxx then took the opportunity to address the crowd, returning the compliment to Chappelle and stating his importance as a comedian and performer. “Listen, I just want to say, this man is an absolute genius. We’ve got to make sure we protect him at all times,” said Foxx. “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.”

In response, Chappelle joked: “I’ve been doing this for 35 years. I just stomped a n— backstage. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

Dave Chappelle was performing as part of the Netflix Is A Joke Fest, a Los Angeles comedy festival that comes courtesy of the streaming giant Netflix. Chappelle is just one of the comedians in the impressive line-up, which includes the likes of Jeff Ross, Pete Davidson, and Erykah Badu, with Chappelle having performed to sold out crowds. Netflix has stood by the comedian since some of material from his various specials has been interpreted by some as being transphobic.

The attack at the Hollywood Bowl is sure to reignite concerns in the stand-up comedian community that has been gestating ever since Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the recent Academy Award ceremony. Smith took to the stage to hit the comedian after he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and at the time many feared that this could set a precedent.

The Netflix Is A Joke Festival comes is still underway and ends on May 7.