With his unique comedic brand that encompasses both vivid, eloquent storytelling and shock humor, Dave Chappelle is a giant of the comedy world. When the then 23-year-old comic first roasted Eddie Murphy's Sherman Klump in 1996's The Nutty Professor, it was evident that he was a star in the making. On stage, Chappelle is known for his outspoken and divisive act, which has earned him an impressive $60 million Netflix deal. From taking aim at so-called 'cancel culture' to defending his pal Louis C.K., Chappelle's career has not been without controversy.
Away from the camera, his life tells a very different story. The comedian is happily married to his wife Elaine (née Erfe) and he is both a devoted husband and father. A far cry from his brazen onstage persona, the couple leads a quiet and relatively normal life. Here are 10 facts about Dave and Elaine's relationship.
10 Dave Chappelle And Wife Elaine Live In A Beautiful Home
Chappelle's popularity has earned him a reported $50 million net worth thanks to his long career as a comedian. Accordingly, he and his wife own a beautiful house in Yellow Springs, Ohio, complete with 39 acres of farmland. Despite the large swathe of land, the house itself is modest and tasteful, comprising 3 bedrooms. In a world of celebrity opulence, it is refreshing to see the couple living a humble life.
9 It Was Love At First Sight For Dave Chappelle
Elaine is a stunning lady, so it's not surprising that Chappelle fell for her the minute he saw her. In an interview with Howard Stern, Chappelle recalled meeting Elaine in Brooklyn, New York, and was visibly uncomfortable as he dismissed Stern's rather crude assumptions about his beautiful wife.
He has since said that he won't appear on Stern's show again, though the true reason for this is complicated and remains up for debate.
Unfortunately for Chappelle, though he was completely head over heels for Elaine, his wife was not that into him when they first met. It took a while for Elaine to come around to Chappelle's personality, but the rest of their love story has been smooth sailing.
8 Dave And Elaine Chappelle Have Three Children
Dave and Elaine have 3 kids together: sons Ibrahim and Sulayman, and daughter Sanaa, who was born in 2009. The Chappelle's have been pictured on many outings through the years. From holidays to skateboarding trips, it is evident that the family has lots of fun together. The adorable Sanaa has been lucky enough to attend events with her doting dad, which must be incredibly fun for the pre-teen.
7 His Family Life Made Him Take Work More Seriously
Chappelle's Netflix special was subject to criticism but remains popular with viewers in large part due to his vivid storytelling skills. The comedian as a whole has been involved with a lot of scandals, including a recent attack at one of his comedy shows. In an interview with Gayle King, he explained that when he and Elaine had kids it forced him to reassess his career trajectory. 'Everything changed after I had children.
I took my professional life more seriously, he said, 'and then I think just as a dude I had more depth after I had kids.' This is evident from the more thoughtful and somber components that he has incorporated into his recent stand-up shows.
6 Dave And Elaine Are Of Different Ethnic Backgrounds
Dave is African-American and comes from a long line of impressive ancestors: his father William David Chappelle III was a professor at Antioch College, a private liberal arts college, his mom Yvonne Seon is a professor specializing in African studies, and his great-grandfather William David Chappelle was a former slave who became a prominent educationalist.
Elaine is of Filipino descent and is the daughter of immigrants who arrived in the US from the Philippines shortly before her birth. The couple's disparate yet equally fascinating cultural heritages are no doubt highly enriching for their 3 children.
5 Dave Didn't Tell Elaine That He Moved To South Africa
Famously, Dave had a breakdown in 2005 despite being offered a vast sum of money to renew his hit sketch comedy Chappelle's Show. He had been suffering from immeasurable stress due to the demands of the show and fled to South Africa.
In a 2006 interview with Oprah, he admitted that he didn't tell his wife of his plans: "It was like I'm not telling her until after I'm gone, which was a mistake." Sadly, it is still uncommon for men to be open about mental health issues, so we're glad that the couple reunited amicably upon his return to the US.
4 Elaine Chappelle Is A Private Person
Unlike so many celeb spouses, Elaine has a private Instagram account with few followers and fiercely guards her personal life. In a world in which celebs and their significant others feel the need to overshare on social media, declaring everything from what they had for breakfast to their diet routines, the extremely private Elaine is certainly an anomaly.
The only insight into her social media comes from her Instagram bio, which features a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: 'What other people think of me is none of my business.'
3 The Chappelles Have Different Religious Views
One little-known fact about Dave Chappelle is that he is a Muslim. In 1991, he converted to Islam as a teenager, though generally, he doesn't speak publicly about his faith. Meanwhile, Elaine is a Christian and has not converted to her husband's Islamic faith. Having maintained a healthy and loving marriage despite their different views, the couple is a wonderful example of religious unity.
2 Elaine Put Her Dreams On Hold To Raise Her Kids
Elaine is a talented chef and initially had dreams of pursuing a culinary career. That all changed, however, when she became a mom. Like so many parents, she decided to put her career on hold in order to devote her life to her 3 kids. Judging by the kids' beaming smiles, she made the right decision and is clearly a devoted and loving mom.
1 The Couple Has Been Together For A Long Time
The couple first met in New York and dated for many years before getting married. At first, Elaine was slightly unsure about marrying the comedian. Thankfully, love blossomed between the two and they wed in 2001.
Two decades later, the Chappelle's have been going strong ever since. Considering how short-lived many Hollywood marriages are, it is pleasing to hear of a couple whose love has lasted so many decades.