Honestly, the summer of 2022 felt like a fever dream for celebrity news. Between the fallout of "the slap" and the usual revolving door of Hollywood hookups, one pairing caught everyone off guard: Chris Rock and Lake Bell. It wasn't just a random dinner sighting that sparked the fire. They were everywhere for a minute there. Santa Monica brunches. High-end Italian dinners at Giorgio Baldi. They even took a romantic trip to Croatia, looking like a couple that had been together for years rather than weeks.
But then, the trail went cold.
If you're looking for them on a red carpet together in 2026, you're going to be waiting a long time. People still search for the latest "update" on their relationship status, but the truth is a bit more straightforward—and a lot less dramatic—than the tabloids hoped. It’s a classic case of a high-profile "spark" that didn't quite turn into a long-term flame.
The Whirlwind Romance of Chris Rock and Lake Bell
The timeline was fast. It started around June 2022 at a St. Louis Cardinals game. You've seen the photos—they were trying to be low-key in the box seats, but you can’t hide Chris Rock in a baseball stadium. By July, they were basically public. They were spotted holding hands in Trogir, Croatia, and lounging on a yacht with Sacha Baron Cohen.
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It made sense on paper, sort of. Both had survived very public, long-term divorces. Rock’s 20-year marriage to Malaak Compton-Rock ended in 2016, a process he was brutally honest about in his stand-up, admitting to infidelity and a porn addiction. Bell had split from tattoo artist Scott Campbell in 2020 after seven years. They were both "parental warriors," as Bell once put it, navigating the world of co-parenting while trying to find a second act in their personal lives.
Insiders at the time told People that they "created a storm of laughter" together. They shared a specific type of cynical, dry humor. For a few months, it really looked like Chris Rock and Lake Bell were the next big power couple of the comedy and indie film worlds.
Why the Relationship Fizzled Out
So, what happened? There wasn't some massive blowout or a cheating scandal that leaked to the press. Instead, the relationship seemed to hit the reality of two extremely busy careers.
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- The "Selective Outrage" Era: Rock was deep in preparation for his historic live Netflix special, Selective Outrage. He was touring constantly, testing material, and dealing with the lingering cultural obsession with the Will Smith incident.
- Lake’s Creative Shift: Bell, a powerhouse director and writer (check out In a World... if you haven’t), was focused on her own projects and her kids, Nova and Ozgood.
- The Distance Factor: Touring and directing don't exactly leave a lot of room for a fledgling romance.
By the time Rock’s Netflix special aired in March 2023, he made it very clear where he stood. He told the world—live on stage—that he was single. He joked about being "lonely" and the struggles of dating in his 50s. That was the unofficial "death certificate" for the relationship. They didn't make an announcement. They just stopped being seen together.
Where Are They Now?
Fast forward to today. It’s 2026, and both have moved on into very different chapters.
Chris Rock is currently leaning harder into directing. He’s been working on a highly anticipated biopic about Martin Luther King Jr., with Steven Spielberg executive producing. It’s a massive pivot from his stand-up roots, though he’s still the executive producer and narrator for the animated series Everybody Still Hates Chris. He’s focused on legacy work now. The days of being "paparazzi bait" with a new girlfriend seem to be in the rearview mirror for a bit.
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Lake Bell continues to be one of the most respected voices in the industry. She’s moved more into the podcasting space with Baby Mamas, where she talks about the realities of motherhood with a level of honesty that’s refreshing. She’s also still a regular on the directing circuit, helming episodes for major streaming series.
What We Can Learn From the Rock-Bell Blip
Sometimes a relationship doesn't need to last forever to be successful. In the world of celebrity, we tend to label anything that doesn't end in marriage as a "failure." But for Rock and Bell, it seemed to be exactly what they both needed at the time: a fun, supportive distraction during a chaotic period in their lives.
If you’re following their journey, the best thing to do is look at their work. Rock’s latest specials and Bell’s directorial projects show two artists who are at the top of their game, even if they aren't sharing a zip code anymore.
Actionable Insights for Following Celebrity News:
- Check the Special: Comedians almost always reveal their relationship status in their latest stand-up set. If they say they're single on stage, believe them.
- Watch the "Quiet" Periods: When a couple stops being photographed at Giorgio Baldi or in Santa Monica for more than three months, it’s usually a sign they’ve moved to the "just friends" category.
- Follow the Credits: Both Rock and Bell are more active behind the camera these days. Follow their IMDB pages rather than just their Instagrams to see what they’re actually passionate about in 2026.