In 2022, Dave Chappelle experienced a shocking incident at the Hollywood Bowl when a deranged man named Isaiah Lee attacked him on stage. Now, two years later, Lee is taking legal action against the venue and its security team, alleging that they brutally beat him and purposefully dislocated his elbow. Court records obtained by TMZ revealed that Lee also claims the venue allowed Chappelle’s entourage to join in the assault.
The attack occurred on May 3, 2022, during one of Chappelle’s performances. Lee, who was “triggered” by Chappelle’s jokes about the LGBTQ community and homelessness, launched himself at the comedian, tackling him to the ground. Security rushed to Chappelle’s aid and managed to remove Lee from the stage.
Fortunately, Chappelle was not injured in the attack and continued with the show, even making light of the situation by joking that the suspect “was a trans man.” The incident took a disturbing turn when a fake gun with a real knife lodged inside fell out of Lee’s pocket. However, he never used the weapon against Chappelle.
According to Lee, the Hollywood Bowl had prior knowledge of Chappelle’s offensive jokes targeting certain groups, including the LGBTQ community. He argues that the venue’s security team should have taken more action to prevent harm from being done. Lee’s lawsuit claims negligent security and battery.
Lee himself suffered injuries during the incident, including back injuries, loss of mobility, and a dislocated elbow. He asserts that these injuries have had a significant impact on his daily life. However, it’s worth noting that Chappelle is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
After his arrest for felony assault with a deadly weapon, Lee pleaded no contest to assault and entering a restricted area, both misdemeanors. In December 2022, he was sentenced to 270 days in prison. Due to his failure to produce the fake gun/knife weapon during the attack, he avoided a felony charge. As part of his release conditions, Lee is prohibited from contacting Chappelle, possessing dangerous weapons, or consuming controlled substances or alcohol.
Lee claimed that his attack on Chappelle was inspired by Will Smith’s infamous slap of Chris Rock at the Oscars. He believed that Rock’s comments about Smith’s wife were disrespectful and that Smith was standing up for her. Lee stated that he wanted Chappelle to consider the impact his material could have on people before performing it.
The incident at the Hollywood Bowl serves as a reminder of the challenges comedians face in navigating sensitive topics and the potential consequences of their jokes. While Chappelle was not directly involved in the legal action, the incident highlights the need for performers to be aware of the potential impact their material may have on audiences.
