Comedian Donnell Rawlings Says Dave Chappelle’s ‘Chappelle Show’ Only Paid Him $500 A Sketch: It Wasn’t Our Show To Get Rich Off Of

Donnell Rawlings, Dave Chappelle

Comedian Donnell Rawlings Says Dave Chappelle’s ‘Chappelle Show’ Only Paid Him $500 A Sketch: It Wasn’t Our Show To Get Rich Off Of

Donnell Rawlings is speaking about the opportunity he received from being featured on Dave Chappelle’s Chappelle Show.

Even when the money isn’t great upfront sometimes the opportunity makes it worthwhile! Comedian Donnell Rawlings confirmed just that during a recent podcast interview, where he spoke on receiving low pay while being on Chappelle’s Show but being able to create opportunity from the popularity of it.

Celebrity comedian Dave Chappelle has been known to collect big checks for his popular comedy specials. Just last year the 48-year-old actor secured a $60 million dollar deal with Netflix to produce 4 specials for the streaming platform. According to comedian Donnell Rawlings, however, it seems Dave didn’t share the wealth with his comedic team who performed sketches on Comedy Central’s popular Chappelle Show with him back in the day.

Dave Chappelle

While sitting down with FAQ Podcast, the 53-year-old actor and comedian admitted that he didn’t get paid much as a cast member of Chappelle’s Show, but was able to create opportunity from the popularity of it.

After being asked how his money increased while doing road comedy tours, Donnell first referenced pay during his time at Chappelle’s Show. 

Donnell stated:

“We wasn’t getting paid – from the show. And not to be on no ‘why we ain’t get our money’, I know, I understood the assignment you know what I’m saying? What $500 dollars a sketch or whatever. It wasn’t our show to get rich off the show. But, we’d get money off the popularity of the show.

He continued:

At the time I said “I’m not going to um, I said f–k it I’m not going to try and get a pay raise or nothing I just gotta go get my money. So I created the ‘I’m Rich B—ch Tour’. I was like yo that’s the most popular phrase on the sh-t I’m like let’s go get it. 

Since his time with the Chappelle Show, Donnell has gone on to appear on several hit TV series, comedy specials, and even linked up recently with Dave himself for a stand-up comedy show.

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