According to the Hollywood Reporter, comedian Dave Chappelle was assaulted on stage while performing a stand-up set in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
The comic was attacked while performing at the city’s Hollywood Bowl venue for the “Netflix Is A Joke” comedy festival, according to the publication, which cited video evidence of the incident published on social media.
The assailant was hauled into custody by security personnel after an unidentified person seemed to tackle the comic — who has previously drawn criticism for jokes perceived to be transphobic — to the ground.
The Los Angeles Police Department did not issue a remark on the incident right away.
Chappelle, the 2019 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor recipient, has been accused of ridiculing transgender people in his comedy specials, most recently in October’s “The Closer,” which sparked outrage from activists who claimed it fostered prejudice.
Actor Will Smith assaulted US comedian Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars in March after he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, moments before.
