Comedian Dave Chappelle has referenced a dramatic moment from his past in his surprise Netflix special Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…, saying that music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs intervened during the violent onstage attack he suffered at the Hollywood Bowl in 2022. Chappelle recounted that when a man rushed the stage and tackled him at the Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival, it was Diddy who tackled the assailant, an action Chappelle described as saving his life.
The new special, released on Netflix following the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight, includes Chappelle’s reflections on a range of personal and societal topics, with the Hollywood Bowl incident serving as a key anecdote in his set. The film marks another high-profile entry in Chappelle’s long history with Netflix stand-up projects, continuing his tradition of provocative and controversial commentary.
In The Unstoppable…, Chappelle also touches on current events, politics and cultural issues, blending his recollection of the attack with broader jokes and narratives about public figures and free speech in comedy today. Throughout the special, his retelling of the Hollywood Bowl attack and Diddy’s role in stopping the assailant has drawn attention as a striking personal disclosure amid the comedian’s candid and unfiltered performance.
The Hollywood Bowl incident itself initially occurred when a man armed with a replica firearm and blade rushed the stage during Chappelle’s set; security quickly intervened and arrested the attacker, with Chappelle emerging unharmed. The show where the attack took place was not filmed for Netflix’s festival coverage, though it remains a notable moment in the comedian’s recent public life.
