Chris Rock

Comedian and 2005 Academy Award host Chris Rock was born in South Carolina in 1966. Growing up in Brooklyn, Rock started out performing stand-up routines in Manhattan comedy clubs as a teenager, catching the eye of among others, Eddie Murphy. Rock joined Saturday Night Live in 1990 as a writer and actor and progressed to regular appearances in the 1992 season. He went on to produce a highly acclaimed TV special Bring the Pain, and The Chris Rock Show (with a variety format). He won two Grammy Awards for best comedy album (1997, 1999) and has three Emmy awards. His movie credits include Beverly Hills Cop II (played a parking valet), Lethal Weapon IV (as Lee Butters), and Dogma (played Rufus). His comedy delves into race relations and adult themes, so there was considerable nervousness prior to his hosting the Oscars in 2005.

Here are some of the best (and printable) quotes attributed to Chris Rock:

"You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy."

"We were so poor my daddy unplugged the clocks when we went to bed."

"Do you know what the good side of crack is? If you're up at the right hour, you can get a VCR for $1.50. You can furnish your whole house for $10.95."

"If you've been dating a man for four months and you haven't met any of his friends, you are not his girlfriend."

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