Iconoclasts - Season2 - Dave Chappelle + Maya Angelou

Dave Chappelle

Comedian

As tutored by famed comedian Charlie Barnett, Dave Chappelle learned that comedians must have a definitive point of view. He has since applied that maxim with considerable success and brought laughter to audiences in communities all over America. His stand-up career took shape while he was a teenager growing up in Washington, D.C. He soon found himself performing in major venues with such legends as Aretha Franklin, Whoopi Goldberg, and the one and only Richard Pryor. Mr. Chappelle subsequently made guest appearances on national television, and also starred in a number of feature films. The latter have included Mel Brooks' ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS, Tom Shadyac's THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (opposite Eddie Murphy), Simon West's CON AIR, Nora Ephron's YOU'VE GOT MAIL, Les Mayfield's BLUE STREAK (alongside Martin Lawrence), Malcolm D. Lee's UNDERCOVER BROTHER (with Eddie Griffin), and Tamra Davis' HALF BAKED. He co-wrote the latter film, which became a cult hit, with frequent collaborator Neal Brennan. His series "Chappelle's Show", which he co-wrote and starred in, earned him Emmy and NAACP Image Award nominations. The two seasons of the show have been among the all-time top-selling TV programs on DVD, and characters and dialogue from the programs have entered the national vernacular. Mr. Chappelle's stand-up concert specials, "Killin' Them Softly" and "For What It's Worth" (both directed by Stan Lathan), have also proven very popular in both cable airings and DVD sales. Highlights: 1973: Dave Chappelle is born on August 24th in Washington, D.C. 1998: HALF-BAKED, a film Chappelle co-wrote and starred in, debuts and earns him cult movie star status 2000: HBO presents his stand-up special, "Killin' Them Softly" 2003: "Chappelle's Show" debuts on Comedy Central and becomes a hit, garnering high ratings and becoming the best selling DVD collection for a TV show Learn more about Dave Chappelle and his work at: davechappelle.com

Maya Angelou

Poet

American poet, civil-rights activist, entertainer, educator, historian and best-selling author, Angelou's life-long work defies traditional classification. She is, however, categorically considered one of the most powerful voices of contemporary literature. From her hardscrabble roots to crafting her Pulitzer Prize winning prose, Angelou's journey is an enlightening lesson in resilience, honesty and the virtue of faith. Share her words and share in something unforgettable. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Angelou spent most of her childhood living with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. Life was not kind to the young girl and Angelou learned first-hand the stark ugliness of prejudice. Eventually, Angelou joined her mother and her older brother Bailey in a move to San Francisco, California. Living with constant disorder and upheaval, things went from bad to worse, and although Angelou tried living with her father for a time, she ended up in an abandoned junk yard, surviving as a street urchin with a band of other homeless children. At the age of sixteen, Angelou found herself pregnant with her son, Guy. A single mom, Angelou was determined to make a better life for her baby and took on a range of jobs including singer, dancer (where she was given the name Maya Angelou after her debut in a cabaret act), waitress, madam and cook. Then, in the late 1950's Angelou packed her things and headed to New York City. In New York, Angelou found her literary voice, honing her writing skills at the Harlem Writers Guild while performing onstage in productions like Porgy and Bess and studying dance with luminaries such as Martha Graham. Immersing herself in the arts, Angelou discovered her strengths, her passions and took every opportunity to nurture them. She toured Europe, the Middle East and Africa and wrote for The Arab Observer in Egypt as well as the The African Review in Ghana. In order to understand her subjects and surroundings more intimately, Angelou became fluent in French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and Ghanian Fante. She began seeing the world from different eyes, capturing the flavor of foreign lands and the universal pain and love prescribed to all humans, regardless of faith, race or politics. Upon her return to the states, Angelou's writing took on a force of its own. In 1970, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou's searing autobiography, was released and went on to spend two years on The New York Times Paperback Non-fiction Best-Seller List—the longest run ever achieved by an African American author. The work was critically praised and firmly established Angelou as one the country's most important writers. Other works of non-fiction, poetry, plays, television programs—even children's books—soon followed, including the Pulitzer Prize nominated Just Give Me A Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die (1971) and On the Pulse of Morning, written at the request of William Jefferson Clinton for his inauguration as the 42nd President of the United States (1993). Angelou continues to spread her legendary wisdom through her prose and appearances and remains one of the most sought-after public speakers in the world. While her celebrated body of work is extraordinary, it's her distinct ability to blur racial lines with the lyrical beauty and sheer strength of her words that makes Dr. Maya Angelou a legend in her own time. Highlights: 1928: Marguerite Johnson is born on April 4th in St. Louis, Missouri 1958: Angelou moves to New York City where she crafts poetry and verse at the Harlem Writers Guild 1970: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is published and establishes Angelou as one of the most eminent writers of her time 1971: Angelou writes the screenplay and score for the film GEORGIA, GEORGIA and is nominated for a Pulitzer Prize 1977: The celebrated mini-series "Roots" debuts and Angelou garners an Emmy nomination for her performance 1993: On the Pulse of Morning is written at the request of Bill Clinton for his inauguration as the 42nd President of the United States. Learn more about Maya Angelou and her work at: mayaangelou.com

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Image from the Dave Chappelle + Maya Angelou episode of Iconoclasts Season 2