Dave Chappelle Opens Up About Leaving ‘Chappelle’s Show’

After leaving the Chappelle’s Show nearly a decade ago, Dave Chappelle has finally opened up about his departure.

During an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, Chappelle said, “Technically, I never quit. I’m seven years late for work.”

Chappelle walked away from the hit show during the midst of the third season in 2005 to go to South Africa. The comedian’s departure then sparked rumors that he was dealing with a mental breakdown along with substance abuse, but Chappelle expressed to Letterman that there was a more pragmatic reason behind it.

“There’s not too many good hiding places left in America,” said Chappelle. “It was like living in the corner of perception and reality. It’s a weird place to be.” Continuing on, “Rumors have a way of taking on a life of their own. When everyone thought Wesley Snipes was in jail, I saw him at a party.”

Letterman asked the comedian if he had any regrets about waling away from his show that is worth a reported $50 million.

“It’s very hard to go through something like this because no one’s really done it before. So there’s not too many people who don’t think I’m crazy.”

Since the last episode of Chappelle’s Show aired in 2006, Chappelle has appeared in a handful of television interviews, the last being with Conan O’Brien in 2008, as well as participation in ‘Funny of Die’s Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival’ in 2013.

Chappell’s appeared on Letterman in order to promote his string of eight stand-up shows at Radio Music Hall, which are scheduled to begin next week.

Check out the full interview.