Who is Sulayman Chappelle? The untold story of Dave Chappelle's son
Many Dave Chappelle fans often wonder, 'Who is Sulayman Chappelle?' He is an American celebrity child widely recognized as the eldest son of Elaine and Dave Chappelle. His father is a famous actor, standup comedian, producer, and writer who has appeared in various films, including You've Got Mail, Blue Streak, Undercover Brother and A Star Is Born.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- The celebrity kid was born in Washington, D.C., United States, to his parents, Dave and Elaine Chappelle.
- His father, Dave, is an actor and standup comedian better known for his sardonic comedy sketch series Chappelle's Show, which he featured in till the third season when he left.
- Dave Chappelle's son, Sulayman, who is currently pursuing a career in boxing, shares many similarities with him, including their hobbies.
Profile summary
| Full name | Sulayman Chappelle |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 2001 |
| Age | 24 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of birth | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Current residence | Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Islamic |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height | 5'9" (175 cm) |
| Weight | 143 lbs (65 kgs) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Relationship status | Single |
| Father | Dave Chappelle |
| Mother | Elaine Mendoza |
| Siblings | 2 |
Who is Sulayman Chappelle?
The celebrity kid is an American citizen and of African-American ethnicity. He practices the Islamic religion. His father is a Muslim, while his mother practices Christianity.
Sulayman's mother, Elaine Mendoza Erfe, is a Filipina-American woman who grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Dave, is a famous actor and stand-up comedian.
Dave began his professional career while studying theatre arts at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC. He started performing standup comedy in nightclubs when he was 14 and started his acting career at age 19 in the 1993 film Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
Sulayman's father has since appeared in several other movies and TV series, such as Home Improvement (1995), The Real Blonde (1997), Undercover Brother (2002), and A Star Is Born (2018). You can check out Dave Chappelle's tour website for any of his upcoming tour events.
Source: Original
How many biological kids does Dave Chappelle have?
Dave has three children: two sons, Sulayman and Ibrahim, and a daughter named Sanaa. During Letterman's show, he said that he always told his kids that he loved them and tried to emulate his late father's parenting style. His number one rule? Always tell your kids, "I love you."
I don't believe in leaving my children's presence without telling them I love them.
While appearing on the CBS This Morning in 2017, he confessed how fatherhood had influenced his career. He said:
Everything changed after I had children. I took my professional life more seriously. And I think, as a dude, I had more depth after I had kids.
Dave Chappelle's son, Sulayman, who is currently pursuing a career in boxing, shares many similarities with him. In his 2019 Netflix stand-up special, Dave Chappelle: Equanimity & The Bird Revelation, Dave humorously recounted the moment he discovered that Sulayman smokes illegal substances.
I went into my older son's room … and I found these notebooks, and I started going through the notebooks. There was all this wonderful poetry in it … Then I looked through his drawers, and I opened up his middle drawer, and I found his rolling paper. I looked down at them papers and said, 'Oh, that's where the poetry's coming from.'
Source: UGC
Dave Chappelle's second-born child, Ibrahim Chappelle, was born in 2003. Ibrahim Chappelle's age is 21 years. Much like his older brother, Ibrahim has been a source of laughs in Dave's stand-up comedy specials.
One of Dave's favourite stories about his middle child made it into his 2017 Netflix special, The Age of Spin, where he humorously recounted the time Ibrahim asked for tickets to see Kevin Hart live.
I was at home and my son busted in and said 'Dad, Dad, I need $250 ... Kevin Hart is coming to town and I want to see his show.
Reluctantly, Dave took Ibrahim to see Kevin Hart's set, and it turns out Ibrahim thinks that Kevin Hart's humour is funnier than his dad's. To add to the embarrassment, Ibrahim also put his dad in an awkward spot when Hart invited them to join him for dinner.
My son pushed past me with some cold s--- and said, 'Actually Mr. Hart we haven't eaten for several hours.
His third child, Sanaa Chappelle, was born in 2009. She is a renowned actress known for her role as Frankie Stone in the 2018 film A Star Is Born.
As the years and comedy tours pass, Dave Chappelle admits that being away from his family never gets any easier. In his special Dave Chappelle: Equanimity & The Bird Revelation, he shared a humorous yet poignant moment, describing a "wake-up call" when he came back to an empty house after his last tour. He jokingly remarked:
I see my age in my children. When my kids were little, and the tour bus would pull up to the house, [they'd] spill out. 'Dad is home, hooray!' Then as the years went on, they'd get less interested. 'Hey everybody, look: It's Mr. Promises back from the road.
How old is Sulayman Chappelle?
Sulayman Chappelle's age is 24 years as of 2025. The celebrity child was born in 2001, but his exact birth date is unknown.
What is Sulayman Chappelle's net worth?
Source: UGC
Sulayman is still in school and has yet to earn an income. However, as a celebrity kid, he leads a lavish life due to his father's vast wealth. His father's net worth is estimated to be $70 million. He earns income through his producing, writing, comedy and acting career.
Where does Dave Chappelle's family live now?
His family resides in Yellow Springs, Ohio, United States. In 2016, he relocated his family to Ohio to escape the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. During a 2017 interview with Gayle King on CBS This Morning, the stand-up comedian described his 65-acre farm as a "nature reserve" where he and his family could "run free."
We don't live in Hollywood, there's no paparazzi trying to get their picture. The community protects them in that sense.
Did Dave Chappelle live in South Africa?
Dave Chappelle spent some time in South Africa. In 2005, Dave travelled to South Africa after abruptly leaving the production of his hugely successful show, Chappelle's Show. Dave Chappelle spoke with Oprah about why going to South Africa was exactly what he needed.
One, I needed a break. Two, we have family and friends down there. I felt like it was a place where I could really reflect. And here's the other thing: I was only gone for two weeks! They made it sound so mysterious.
I knew I was going to leave. The only reason I didn't leave sooner was because I knew they were going to say, 'He couldn't finish his show.' So I got ahead of schedule, and I bounced.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Dave Chappelle's son? He is a well-known American celebrity kid widely recognized as the eldest son of Elaine and Dave, a famous actor, standup comedian, producer, and writer from the United States.
- Does Dave Chappelle have kids? Yes, he has three children: two sons, Sulayman and Ibrahim, and a daughter called Sonal.
- Are Dave Chappelle's kids active on social media? His children are not currently active on any social media platforms.
- Who is Dave Chappelle's wife? The American actor is married to Elaine Mendoza.
- What is Dave Chappelle's wife's ethnicity? His wife, Elaine Erfe, is Filipino-American.
- Where did Dave Chappelle meet his wife? They first met in New York City in the '90s while he was still trying to launch his comedy career.
- Is Dave Chappelle's daughter an actress? His daughter, Sanaa Chappelle, has dabbled in acting. She had a small role alongside her father in the 2018 film A Star is Born.
- What does Elaine Chappelle do for a living? She is a housewife. Elaine's husband, Dave, is often busy; having to do tours, interviews and stand-up shows. As such, Elaine usually has to pick up the slack at the home front.
Fast facts
- Sulayman's mother, Elaine Chappelle, hails from the Philippines.
- His father has received numerous accolades.
- Sulayman has a great interest in boxing.
So, who is Sulayman Chappelle? He is an American celebrity kid. He is widely recognized as the eldest son of Dave Chappelle and Elaine Mendoza Chappelle. Sulayman has two siblings and is reportedly pursuing boxing as a professional career.
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Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Yen.com.gh where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Simwa finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com
Tatiana Thiga (Lifestyle writer) Tatiana Thiga is a content creator who joined Yen in 2022. She is an English literature graduate from Kenyatta University. She has amassed sufficient knowledge working on a variety of topics, including biographies, fashion and lifestyles, guides, and more. In 2023, Tatiana finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her at tatianathiga@gmail.com
