Chris Rock made headlines after abruptly leaving billionaire Anthony Pratt’s Christmas party during his comedy set. The 59-year-old comedian was performing a surprise routine over the weekend, but it ended abruptly following a controversial joke about sending Mexicans into space on rockets.
According to The Post’s Cindy Adams, who attended the event, Rock noticed something during his set that visibly upset him. He reportedly shouted about not wanting to be taped, recorded, or otherwise documented, before forcefully making his way through the crowd to the exit.
Chris Rock abruptly leaves Anthony Pratt’s Christmas party mid-set after controversial joke
Adams described the moment as swift and final, stating that Rock left “without a second’s hesitation” and did not return to the stage. Efforts to contact his representatives by Page Six were unsuccessful.
After his sudden departure, Keith Urban entertained the guests with a performance that lasted about an hour and a half. Rock’s unexpected exit comes as he has kept a low profile following the infamous incident at the 2022 Oscars, where Will Smith slapped him on stage.
The altercation occurred after Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, referencing the movie G.I. Jane. While Smith initially laughed, he became visibly angry and walked on stage to slap Rock, later shouting, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth.” The incident drew mixed reactions, but The Academy at the end condemned Smith’s actions, banning him from its events for ten years.
Despite the fallout, Rock has continued to spark controversy. In August 2022, he faced backlash for a joke referencing Nicole Brown Simpson’s murder, likening it to hosting the Oscars again.
Many criticized the remark as insensitive, with some drawing connections to the earlier Oscars controversy involving Smith. The Nicole Brown Simpson joke fueled further debate about the comedian’s approach to humor and its limits.
