Evolution of Chris Rock

The Evolution of Chris Rock

As Pookie in New Jack City - Chris Rock is a comic genius with a long history on the big and small screens. Let's rewind all the way back to the top. Remember when Rock played a reformed crack addict who becomes a police informant? (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

1 / 13

As Pookie in New Jack City - Chris Rock is a comic genius with a long history on the big and small screens. Let's rewind all the way back to the top. Remember when Rock played a reformed crack addict who becomes a police informant? (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

Chris Rock on TV - Early in his career he also made guest appearances on several hit shows including In Living Color, Martin, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, not to mention a recurring spot on Saturday Night Live. Rock went on to create his own sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris. (Photo: Ivory Way Productions)

2 / 13

Chris Rock on TV - Early in his career he also made guest appearances on several hit shows including In Living Color, Martin, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, not to mention a recurring spot on Saturday Night Live. Rock went on to create his own sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris. (Photo: Ivory Way Productions)

Chris Rock - Although Chris Rock's body of work doesn't stretch far, whatever he has dabbled in has been profound (in its own way). Many will recall his hilarious "No Sex in the Champagne Room," which was somewhat of a hit in the late '90s. Go back a little deeper and you might even find yourself laughing at the songs he recorded for the movie CB4.  (Photo: Universal Pictures)

3 / 13

As MC Gusto and Albert in CB4 - Rock plays dual roles in this satirical mock-u-mentary, which he also co-wrote. While Gusto is locked up, Albert steals his criminal background and identity to become "MC Gusto," and forms the hardcore gangsta rap group CB4 (Cell Block 4). Of course they become the hottest band on the charts. (Photo: Universal Pictures)

As Welsey in Nurse Betty - Playing a hit man, Rock hunts a man down in search of some stolen drugs. (Photo: Pacifica Film)

4 / 13

As Welsey in Nurse Betty - Playing a hit man, Rock hunts a man down in search of some stolen drugs. (Photo: Pacifica Film)

As Lance Barton in Down to Earth - A struggling comedian is hit by a semi truck and is instantly killed. He's brought up to Heaven where the angels reveal that he's died before his time, and offer to help Lance return to Earth. (Photo: 3 Art Entertainment)

5 / 13

As Lance Barton in Down to Earth - A struggling comedian is hit by a semi truck and is instantly killed. He's brought up to Heaven where the angels reveal that he's died before his time, and offer to help Lance return to Earth. (Photo: 3 Art Entertainment)

ADVERTISEMENT
As JB in Pootie Tang - The movie was adapted from a comedy sketch that appeared on HBO's The Chris Rock Show. The character Pootie Tang is a satire of the stereotypical characters who used to appear in old blaxploitation films. Rock played Pootie Tang's father. (Photo: HBO Downtown Productions) 

6 / 13

As JB in Pootie Tang - The movie was adapted from a comedy sketch that appeared on HBO's The Chris Rock Show. The character Pootie Tang is a satire of the stereotypical characters who used to appear in old blaxploitation films. Rock played Pootie Tang's father. (Photo: HBO Downtown Productions) 

As Mays Gilliam in Head of State - An alderman from D.C.'s 9th Ward is fired from his post and dumped by his girlfriend. But his fortunes improve after his party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees' planes crash into each other, and he becomes a surprise pick to run against the sitting vice president. (Photo: Dreamworks)

7 / 13

As Mays Gilliam in Head of State - An alderman from D.C.'s 9th Ward is fired from his post and dumped by his girlfriend. But his fortunes improve after his party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees' planes crash into each other, and he becomes a surprise pick to run against the sitting vice president. (Photo: Dreamworks)

The Longest Yard (2005) - A remake of a 1974 film of the same name, The Longest Yard revolves around the story of a fallen football player who puts together a capable team while in prison. (Photo: Courtesy Paramount Pictures)

8 / 13

As Caretaker in Longest Yard - Rock is hilariously funny as the resourceful but foul-mouthed Caretaker. With lines ranging from "I'll teach you anything, just don't eat me!" to "You've got one brother out there, this ain't hockey," it's a shame that he didn't make it through the entire movie. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

Comedy specials  - Some of Rock's biggest comedy specials include Bring the Pain, Bigger and Blacker, Never Scared, and Kill The Messenger. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

9 / 13

Comedy specials - Some of Rock's biggest comedy specials include Bring the Pain, Bigger and Blacker, Never Scared, and Kill The Messenger. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

As Richard Cooper in I Think I Love My Wife - A married man who daydreams about being with other women finds his will and his morals tested after he's visited by the ex-mistress of his old friend. (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

10 / 13

As Richard Cooper in I Think I Love My Wife - A married man who daydreams about being with other women finds his will and his morals tested after he's visited by the ex-mistress of his old friend. (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

ADVERTISEMENT
Death at a Funeral - Premieres Sunday at 5:30P/4:30C.(Photo: Sony Pictures)

11 / 13

As Aaron in Death at a Funeral - Rock plays the eldest son responsible for organizing his father's funeral in this film, which he also produced. What starts out as a simple ceremony and burial turns into a debacle of exposed family secrets and misplaced bodies. (Photo: Parabolic Pictures Inc.)

Good Hair, Thursday at 9A/8C - Chris Rock's tackling a tough topic with his very own brand of comedy.(Photo: HBO Films)

12 / 13

Good Hair - Rock executive produced this innovative documentary that explored the psychology and economy behind the African-American hair iindustry. (Photo: Chris Rock Entertainment)

Taking over Broadway - Rock starred in The Motherf**ker With the Hat, which received 6 Tony Award nominations. The play explores love, fidelity and everything else that goes into making a relationship last.

13 / 13

Taking over Broadway - Rock starred in The Motherf**ker With the Hat, which received 6 Tony Award nominations. The play explores love, fidelity and everything else that goes into making a relationship last.