Last Updated on February 23, 2024
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Chris Rock is a name that quickly springs to mind when discussing the world’s greatest standup comedians of all time.
Rock is particularly revered for his ability to tactfully navigate the highly controversial topics of race and human sexuality. His works also cover observational humor and a bit of self-depreciation.
Besides his professional accomplishments, Rock is also a loving and responsible dad despite being estranged from his first wife. This article looks at Chris Rock’s ex-wife and his rumored current partner.
Who Is Chris Rock?
Christopher Julius Rock is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker.
Rock rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian before venturing into acting. Among his noteworthy comic achievements include being ranked #5 on both Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time” and Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time.”
As an actor, Chris Rock began by accepting minor roles in films like Beverly Hills Cop II (1987). He gained wider recognition in 1990 when he joined the cast of the NBC sketch comedy series ‘Saturday Night Live.’ He eventually left SNL in 1993.
Rock worked on several films as an actor, screenwriter, and/or producer during his three-year stint at SNL. Notable ones include ‘New Jack City’ in 1991, ‘Boomerang’ in 1992, and ‘CB4’ in 1993. He later starred in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), Bad Company (2002), and The Longest Yard (2005).
Rock eventually became a household name in Hollywood for his role as writer, producer, and narrator of the television sitcom Everybody Hates Chris (2005 – 2009). His other works include starring roles in the films Death at a Funeral (2010), What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012), and The Week Of (2018).
Who Was Chris Rock Married To?
Chris Rock was previously married to Malaak Compton Rock. Although she rose to prominence as a celebrity wife, Malaak has pursued a successful corporate career.
She’s the founder and executive director of SyleWorks, a non-profit company that provides hair salon services free of charge to women transitioning from welfare to the workforce.
Malaak Compton’s Early Life and Education Background
Little is known about Malaak Compton’s birthday and birthplace. The identities of her parents and siblings (if any) is a mystery too.
As for her education background, Malaak graduated with a bachelor’s degree in arts and production management from Howard University. She later proceeded to St. John’s University, earning a master’s degree in global development and social justice.
Compton also holds Honorary Doctorate degrees from Utica College of Syracuse University, Salve Regina University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Malaak Compton and Chris Rock’s Relationship Timeline
Malaak Compton and Chris Rock had their first encounter in 1994 during the ‘Essence’ magazine awards. According to an early Rolling Stone article, Rock crashed the awards ceremony and met Compton who was then working as a Hollywood publicist. The couple started going on dates a few weeks later.
On November 23, 1996, two years into their courtship, Chris Rock and Malaak Compton exchanged wedding vows. The twosome were heads over heels in love, as was evidenced by their many public pictures together.
A year after tying the knot, Rock told Ebony magazine that his wife had played an integral role in transforming his character.
He said, “She’s changed me. She’s really calmed me down and centered my life.”
But as fate would have it, Chris Rock and Malaak Compton’s marriage wasn’t meant to last forever. Rock filed for divorce in December 2014 and the process was finalized on August 22, 2016.
Infidelity on Rock’s part was cited as the primary cause for divorce. It also emerged that the stand-up sensation was struggling with pornographic addiction.
Did Malaak Compton and Chris Rock Have Children Together?
Compton and Rock were blessed with two daughters. They include Lola Simon (born on June 28, 2002) and Zahra Savanna (born on May 22, 2004).
While living together, Rock and Compton also helped raise a young South African girl called Ntombi. However, they never formally adopted her.
Who Is Chris Rock’s Current Partner?
Chris Rock is widely rumored to be dating American actress, director, and screenwriter Lake Siegel Bell.
Bell is a distinguished actress with dozens of film and television credits. She appeared in the films Over Her Dead Body (2008), The Secret Life of Pets (2016, and its 2019 sequel), Home Again (2017), and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). She also had roles on It’s Complicated (2009), No Strings Attached (2011), and No Escape (2015).
On television, Lake Bell is most noted for appearances in Boston Legal (2004–2006), How to Make It in America (2010–2011), and Bless This Mess (2019–2020). Her other major television appearances include Surface (2005–2006) and Childrens Hospital (2008–2016).
How Long Has Chris Rock Been Dating Lake Bell?
Dating rumors between Chris Rock and Lake Bell first hit the headlines in June 2022 when the twosome were spotted together at a Cardinals game. According to TMZ, the pair stayed close enough and even stood together during the game.
On July 4, 2022, Rock and Bell were yet again pictured dining out together at the Giorgio Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica, California. They also dined at the Coast Restaurant in the same locality.
The same month, Rock and his rumored girlfriend went on vacation together in Korcula, Croatia. Photos emerged of the couple enjoying a yacht ride and also walking arm in arm.
However, neither Rock nor Bell has publicly addressed their rumored secret love affair. In fact, the stand-up comedian left fans puzzled during his Netflix live special in March 2023 when he hinted at being single.
Conclusion – Has Lake Bell Been In Previous Relationships Before?
Bell has been in a previous high-profile relationship before. The actress and director started dating tattoo artist Scott Campbell in 2011.
The couple became engaged in March 2012 before eventually wedding on June 1, 2013. They were later blessed with a daughter named Nova (born in October 2014) and a son called Ozgood (in May 2017).
However, Bell announced in October 2022 that she was divorcing from Campbell. It’s worth noting that the divorce proceedings began after she had already been romantically linked to Chris Rock.