Dave Chappelle on Quitting His Show: 'I'd Be Happier' With $50 Million
Dave Chappelle opened up about leaving the hugely popular comedy series "Chappelle's Show" over seven years ago on the "Late Show" with David Letterman Tuesday. The funnyman has a string of stand-up performances at Radio City Music Hall coming up next week, but Letterman was more interested in what happened nearly a decade ago.
Chappelle initially seemed uneasy when Letterman first asked him what happened during the third season of the show— the comedian was offered $50 million to continue the highly-rated show for seasons three and four but disappeared— but eventually decided to break the awkward tension with a joke.
"Well, technically, I never quit," Chappelle said. "I'm seven years late for work."
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When Letterman pushed more, asking Chappelle about if he ever regretted not taking the money, the 40-year-old actor got a bit more introspective.
"It's very hard to go through something like this because no one's really done it before … so there's not too many people that don't think I'm crazy," he said, adding that the difference between a $10 million lifestyle and a $50 million one is "miniscule."
"The only difference between having $10 million and $50 million is an astounding $40 million," he joked. "Of course I would have liked to have that money."
"Money is the fuel for choices... That's not nothing, it's something. But it's not the end-all be-all," Chappelle continued.
"And let's say you had the $40 million, who's to say you'd be a happier or better person?" Letterman interjected.
"I think I might be a happier person. I don't know," the comedian admitted.
Chappelle will be performing at Radio City Music Hall next week, with a special appearance by rapper Nas on June 23.
