Comedian Dave Chappelle’s found Islam 30 years ago at a pizza shop.
Appearing as a guest in the latest Netflix series My Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, the comic sat down for a wide-ranging interview. The show provided a rare insight into how his faith drove his successful career.
“I wanted to have a meaningful life, a spiritual life, not just what my hands can hold,” he said. “I felt like I’ve always had this notion that life should mean something.”
Chappelle recalled how his higher purpose became clear through his visits to his local pizza shop as a 17-year-old in Washington, DC. It was the positive vibes of the Muslim staff that caught his attention.
“The pizza shop was across from my house, and it was, like, all these Muslim dudes that worked in there,” he said.
“I used to go in there and crack jokes. And I am also a naturally curious guy, and I would ask [the owner] questions about his religion. The guy was so passionate about it. It was very compelling. I liked the perspective of it.”
