Gregory Mariano Period 3 1) Dave Chappelle is an American comedian and actor born in 1973 in Washington D.C. to professors at Howard University and Antioch College. 2) After graduating from high school in 1991, he pursued a career in comedy in New York, performing at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. 3) Chappelle rose to fame creating and starring in his popular comedy TV show Chappelle's Show from 2003 to 2004, though he left during production of season 3 to reflect on his career in South Africa.