Dave Chapelle on the Actor's Studio

While this episode may not be new, I am now seeing it for the first time. I am really taken a back by what he says. He presents the 'reality' of Hollywood and all that comes with it in a way that I think both the audience present and those watching can understand.

It is particularly touching when he talks about his dad's death. Having been there, it is amazing to me how such simple things in life begin to matter and how we are all universally connected. He is a normal person like the rest of us, but happens to have a job that puts him in a spot light the majority of us do not have to worry about. He seems very real and this episode is particularly interesting to me after I read about his 'crazy' breakdown and fleeing to Africa. (Which he refers to often through out his interview). While I think most actors fain behavior in order to endorse sympathy, I see that he didn't, he just got away from the very things and people who were causing him pain. At the expense of his career potentially... But he's still popular. This is particularly p0ignant for me. He was willing to risk the thing he loves, makes a lot of money by and has been accustomed to for many years in order to find greater salvation in himself and escape it all. Leaving his comfort zone for what matters, even if that transition isn't comfortable. Until a person has had to do this, no one who hasn't, will even begin to understand. And I mean, real pain to leave what you know in order to allow you to spread your wings and head out on a new path. I think he was almost forced to this decision. He couldn't handle anymore executives and money makers telling him what to do so he wouldn't 'mess up'. He didn't listen and now is a better person because of it, in his own right.

He clearly loves his family and kids and feels passionate about the worlds reaction to his 'crazy' spell, leaving to Africa, the negative reports that came out... I feel sorry for him. Yes, he made too much money, but it was at a big expense. He speaks out about being labeled as crazy. I really like his thought on that: Crazy is what you call people when you don't understand them. WOW, never ever thought about it that way. I don't know if I've ever or will ever be called that, but realize that the world around him controlled him (the machine as he calls it), and once he took back control, and ensured the things and people in his life that are important were kept that way, maybe he's found greater peace now.

I think his interview is particularly poignant right now for me. You give all you have to other people, and it is at the detriment of yourself and who you really are. Not everyone gets to/ choose to work at a job they feel fulfilled by... but it doesn't mean those who reach for it, can't achieve it. Just don't forget who you are, what you stand for, what is really important to you along the way. I have realized I forgot these things, put them aside, much like Dave did when reaching for his Hollywood dreams. Seems like he has come back down to the basics of what he really wants in life and it seems his fans are still interested, maybe even more now. He's been shown to be human, just like the rest of us. Just a little funnier (than most people) and a lot wiser (than he was previously).

Keep it up Dave, you have a wonderful talent and now insight that will guide you through it all.