comic actor Marlon Wayans shares with The View that he ceased stand-up performances due to fellow comedian Chris Rock's heckling, leading him to retire for a two-decade span.
Marlon Wayans, a comedian and actor from a family known for their comedic talent, had an unusual encounter with fellow comedian Chris Rock that significantly impacted his stand-up career. During a stand-up comedy show, Chris Rock heckled Marlon Wayans, a moment that Wayans took as a sign that it wasn't the right time for him to perform comedy. The incident left Wayans feeling discouraged, as he grew up in a house full of funny people, making it difficult for him to find new material for stand-up comedy. Whoopi Goldberg, who was also present, joked that doing stand-up is like 'jumping out of a plane every joke,' and added that it's like being naked. Elisabeth Behar joined the conversation, saying that the audience has clothes compared to the comedian being naked. In the heat of the moment, Chris Rock asked Wayans which Wayans he was, implying that he didn't seem to be a good comedian. The heckling took its toll on Wayans, and he ultimately decided to quit stand-up comedy for 20 years. However, the experience was not entirely negative. Wayans considered Chris Rock as a big brother and took the heckling as a lesson. He returned to stand-up comedy with his 2018 special 'Woke-ish,' where he continues to tell his story and express his point of view, as he believes that's what a comedian should do. Despite quitting stand-up comedy, there are no search results indicating where Wayans was employed after his split from the stage the previous year. It seems that he has found other avenues to showcase his comedic talent. Wayans has previously released stand-up specials titled 'You Know What It Is,' 'God Loves Me,' and 'Good Grief,' and his unique style and perspective have always been well-received by audiences. His return to stand-up comedy is a testament to his resilience and love for comedy, a passion that was initially sparked in a house full of laughter. In the end, Wayans' encounter with Chris Rock served as a valuable lesson, one that he continues to apply in his career. As he joked with Goldberg, doing stand-up is like jumping out of a plane every joke, and sometimes, you might take a fall. But as Wayans has shown, getting back up and trying again is all part of the journey.
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