Dave Chappelle Breaks Comedy Club Record

(AP)  Now that he's back on the standup circuit, Dave Chappelle has a lot to say.

The comic, who walked out on a $50 million deal to continue his TV show and briefly took a respite in South Africa, shattered the Laugh Factory's endurance record by taking to the comedy club's stage for six hours and seven minutes on Sunday.

"He was absolutely amazing, for six hours making people laugh," the club's owner, Jamie Masada, said Tuesday.

---

Photos: "Block Party" Premiere

---

Masada said the previous record of three hours and 50 minutes was accomplished earlier this month by Dane Cook. But until then the mark had stood at two hours and 41 minutes since Richard Pryor set it in 1980.

Chappelle walked out on the third season of his hit Comedy Central show last May, leaving fans and industry observers to question his motives and even his sanity.

He has said since that he didn't feel he could be himself on the show.

"The bottom line was, white people own everything, and where can a black person go and be himself or say something that's familiar to him and not have to explain or apologize?" he told Esquire magazine.

He has since returned to the standup circuit and released the documentary "Dave Chappelle's Block Party."

[jeanise55]

dave, I have much respect for you peoople are bought and sold for much less. I do not know you entire reasoning but you did what was best for you stay strong my brother and angie stone's song black brother is about you and all my brothers fighting to be heard and be a man.

[linfinster]

You did the right thing Dave. I hope you continued success. You are intelligent and talented. Too bad those execs were so stupid. Thank you, for standing up and exposing those greedy, selfish people.
Now if you could go to the inner cities and speak to our youth and tell them how you were able to fight racism and, expose all the little things we do each day that either furthers hate and discontent between the races or combats it. As a white woman, I have no idea what people deal with on a daily basis when everyone is reacting to something as trivial as the color of ones skin. Our youth NEED strong black men and women to be more in the spotlight, setting the example.

[ricardosolar]

Love you Dave !!!