Key Takeaways
- D.L. Hughley said Chris Rock once called him a “dumb [n-word]” during a dispute over Rock’s involvement as a producer on The Hughleys, striking a nerve because of Hughley’s lifelong literacy struggles.
- Hughley said the roughly 25-year-old insult made him feel “small” and prompted him to threaten Rock, though the longtime friends have since moved past the confrontation.
- Despite the painful exchange, Hughley later defended Rock after Will Smith slapped him at the 2022 Oscars.
D.L. Hughley has spent decades trading insults for a living, but he says one particular exchange with Chris Rock crossed a line. The comedian revealed that Rock once called him a “dumb [n-word]” during a heated disagreement over The Hughleys, and the insult hit a nerve because of Hughley's lifelong struggles with literacy.
During an appearance on Angie Martinez IRL, Hughley opened up about the shame he experienced growing up unable to read. When Martinez asked what he once found embarrassing, Hughley answered, “That I couldn't read.” He explained that his difficulties left him questioning his intelligence long before he became a successful comedian.
“I just used to feel stupid,” Hughley admitted. “I used to feel small. It made me feel small.”
That insecurity returned during a confrontation with Rock, whom Hughley said was collecting a paycheck as a producer on his sitcom without providing the creative input Hughley expected.
According to Hughley, he contacted Rock and asked him to contribute more to the production. “You getting paid, you could at least give some notes and help us out,” he recalled telling Rock.
Rock allegedly responded by reminding Hughley of his accomplishments and his role in getting the sitcom made.
“If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have this show, you dumb [n-word],” Hughley recalled Rock saying.
The exchange left Hughley furious. He said he threatened to beat Rock up the next time they saw each other.
“The only person that ever called me [the N-word] that hurt my feelings was Chris Rock,” Hughley told Martinez.
The two comedians have since moved past the confrontation, which Hughley estimated happened approximately 25 years ago. However, the memory remains.
“I'll never forget it, but it's not top of mind,” he explained.
Rock's comedy and remarks have previously generated controversy, most notably during the 2022 Academy Awards. Will Smith slapped Rock onstage after the comedian joked about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, comparing her to Demi Moore's character in G.I. Jane. Pinkett Smith has alopecia.
Smith apologized afterward and received a 10-year ban from Academy events, but the incident continued to divide Hollywood.
In August, Smith's King Richard co-star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor defended his actions, saying, “I know that he wanted to protect his wife, and I stand with him for that.” She also questioned whether offensive remarks should be protected when they cause harm.
However, Hughley previously criticized Smith for striking Rock, whom he described as his friend, in a 2023 interview with VladTV.
