Chris Loves Everybody again as his TV show and new film “I Think I Love My Wife” are on track
By P.J. Stratton
Rock knows he loves real life wife
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 3/7/07 — Chris Rock may be in a huff over a New York Daily News item that divorce proceedings with wife Malaak were on hold until after next week’s opening of “I Think I Love My Wife,” but when the stardust clears he’ll get over it. The busy comic-turned-franchise is raking in some serious mad money from his roles as comedian, feature film and television feature film actor, writer, producer, director and host.He was so dogged by breakup rumors that he wanted to assure the public that he does indeed love his real-life wife even though the film finds him tempted to cheat. “It is unfortunate it is that the Daily News, specifically, and other tabloid outlets have chosen to print untrue rumors and lies about our family and marriage. It is extremely hurtful to us, our children, and our extended family. We remain, as always, very happy and committed to our marriage and the beautiful family that we have built.”
Rock has cleared things up with his TV network, too. The CW had his “Everybody Hates Chris” show on Sunday nights, where it averaged 2.9 million viewers, compared to his old Monday night slot on now-defunct UPN, where he had 4.3 viewers. “We’re already on The CW — what’s next? BET?” Rock said.
The CW gave him what he wanted and moved him to Monday, and sweetened him up further by ordered a new set of episodes ahead of schedule. Rock returned the favor by bringing Jason Alexander back to the show to appear on two episodes and direct a third.
Rock vigorously defends the comedy, based on his childhood. “I’m there because my name is on it. I want it to be good,” he said.
The show has struggled to find its audience since moving to the new network from UPN, but the vote of confidence boosted morale of the cast of the critically acclaimed comedy which includes Rock, Tyler James Williams and Tichina Arnold.
Executive producer Ali LeRoi told the press, “We never relax. I mean we really don’t. You know, we’re working from the time we put pen to paper to the time we finish shooting the last frame of film on set, so it’s not easy. It’s a hard gig. So we can’t — we’re not in an environment on television and on the network where we can afford to really kick back. Nobody can, you know”.
Rock recently returned from the opening of Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy for girls in South Africa. “It was incredible,” said Rock. “If you saw the ghettos where these kids live, no one would question what she did.”
Discovered by Eddie Murphy, Rock landed on “Saturday Night Live” in 1987 and never looked back Since he arrived on the scene, he’s been busy performing in stand-up, taking on film roles, writing screenplays, then producing and directing not only for his new television show, but honed his skills on endless roles in television and movies such as “Down To Earth,” “Head of State” and “Pootie Tang” to name a few.
Few things seem out of range,. Currently, Rock has several films due for release later this year such as “Wife” and Jerry Sienfeld’s “Bee Movie.” Projects include “Madagascar 2”, “Gilmores of Beverly Hills”, and a feature film with Brett Ratner yet to be titled. Through all these projects he’s juggling responsibilities of actor, director and producer.
Chris was raised in Brooklyn, New York and performed successful stand-up comedy for over twelve years. He made his big screen debut in Beverly Hills Cop in 1987 and spent three years with the Saturday Night Live cast.
Rock’s commercials for 1-800 Collect and Nike entertain his many fans in addition to the coverage he provided as correspondent for the presidential campaign for “Politically Incorrect”.
He still makes his home in Brooklyn, New York with wife, Malaak Compton-Rock, featured in “Redbook Magazine” as one of the winners of the 2002 Mothers & Shakers Awards. Malaak is the founder and executive director of StyleWorks, a non-profit, full-service salon that provides free services for women leaving welfare and entering the work force. The Rock’s have two daughters, Lola Simone and Zahra Savannah.
Has the rare distinction of being in two movies that opened on the same day in the U.S., “The Longest Yard” and “Madagascar,” back on May 27, 2005. Both of them stayed at the two top spots at the box office the following weeks. And both became members of the $100 million club.
Chris often references to Eddie Murphy and Jerry Sienfeld as his role models and inspiration for taking up comedy and acting. Rock makes references to the TV series “Seinfield” in many of his stand up routines.
Rock who received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 12, 2003, was voted the funniest person in America by “Entertainment Weekly” and chosen as Number 5 in Comedy Central’s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.