Dave Chappelle tackled on stage at Netflix event

vt-author-image

By stefan armitage

Article saved!Article saved!

Dave Chappelle has been tackled by an audience member during the Netflix Is A Joke Festival in Los Angeles.

As reported by BBC News, the incident occurred as the 48-year-old comedian was performing on stage at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday evening (May 3).

Footage of the scary moment has since been circulating on social media.

Various angles show the moment somebody rushed the stage and tackled Chappelle to the ground.

After taking the comedian down, the alleged attacker can then be seen running around the stage as members of the security attempt to apprehend him.

ABC journalist Stephanie Wash, who was at the show, tweeted her response: "Dave Chapelle was rushed & attacked on stage by a man at the Hollywood Bowl. Chapelle tussled w/ the man, who ran behind the screen on stage & was surrounded by security."

Wash then revealed that fellow comedian Chris Rock then joined Chappelle on stage and joked: "Was that Will Smith??"

Per CNBC, the Los Angeles Police Department has revealed that Chappelle was not injured in the alleged attack.

After regaining his composure, BBC News reports that Chappelle even joked that his alleged attacker was a "trans man" - an apparent reference to the backlash he faced last year following the release of his Netflix special, The Closer.

One video also shows actor Jamie Foxx taking to the stage to make sure Chappelle was okay following the altercation.

"Whenever you're in trouble, Jamie Foxx will show up in a sheriff's hat," Chappelle later joked to the crowd.

"I thought that was part of the show," Foxx hilariously responded.

The department added that the alleged attacker - whose identity is currently being withheld - suffered "superficial injuries" while being restrained by the security team, and was later taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Authorities added that the man was armed with a replica gun that contained a knife blade.

Chapelle was part of a star-studded lineup that has been performing at the Netflix Is A Joke festival since it kicked off on April 28.

The event has seen comedians like Bill Burr, Pete Davidson, and Seth Rogen all perform.

In fact, the fact there is footage of Chappelle's show is surprising, considering that his set was due to be a "phone-free experience", per the official Netflix Is A Joke website.

The description for the show reads: "This event will be a phone-free experience. Use of phones will not be permitted in the performance space. Upon arrival at the venue, phones will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event.

"Guests maintain possession of their devices at all times, and can access them throughout the event only in designated Phone Use Areas within the venue. All devices will be re-secured in Yondr pouches before returning to the performance space."

The festival concludes on May 8.

Featured image credit: REUTERS / Alamy