If you’re looking for a quick answer, here it is: Chris Rock is not married. As of early 2026, the legendary comedian remains one of Hollywood’s most high-profile bachelors. He isn't secretly hiding a wife, nor has he eloped in some low-key ceremony in the South of France. Honestly, if you’ve watched any of his recent stand-up specials, you know he’s pretty vocal about the single life. He treats the subject of marriage with the kind of skeptical humor you only get from someone who’s been through the legal wringer.
But the question "who is Chris Rock married to" still trends constantly. Why? Because for nearly two decades, he was one-half of a Hollywood power couple. People got used to seeing Malaak Compton-Rock by his side at every Oscars ceremony and movie premiere. When a marriage lasts nineteen years, the public memory has a long tail.
The Malaak Compton-Rock Years
Chris Rock married Malaak Compton on November 23, 1996. At the time, Rock was the skyrocketing king of comedy, fresh off his Bring the Pain special. Malaak was a public relations executive who eventually pivoted into full-time philanthropy. Together, they were the picture of stability in an industry known for 72-hour marriages.
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They lived in Alpine, New Jersey, a posh enclave where their neighbors were people like Sean "Diddy" Combs. They had two daughters: Lola Simone, born in 2002, and Zahra Savannah, born in 2004. For a long time, Rock credited Malaak with "centering" him. He told Ebony magazine back in 1997 that she changed him and calmed him down.
Then, everything changed.
In December 2014, the news broke that Rock had filed for divorce. It wasn’t just a simple split; it was a heavy, public realization that the "perfect" marriage was anything but. The legal battle lasted nearly two years, finally wrapping up in August 2016.
What Really Happened with the Divorce?
Rock hasn't been shy about why things fell apart. In his 2018 Netflix special Tamborine, he basically did a public confession. He admitted to being a "piece of s***" and confirmed he had cheated on Malaak with three different women—one of whom he described as "famous-ish."
"I was not a good husband. I was f***ed up." — Chris Rock, Tamborine (2018)
It wasn't just the infidelity, though. He also spoke candidly about a pornography addiction that he felt made him emotionally distant and "desensitized" to real intimacy. By the time the divorce was finalized, Rock reportedly paid out a massive settlement. While the exact numbers are private, some estimates suggest he lost tens of millions of dollars—roughly $40 million, according to some reports—partly because their prenuptial agreement had actually expired.
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Yeah, you read 그 right. The prenup had a "sunset clause" that kicked in after twenty years, and they hit that mark right around the time of the split.
Dating History: Life After Malaak
Since 2016, Chris Rock has definitely been back on the scene, but he hasn't come close to the altar again. He seems to have a "type" now: successful, independent women who have their own careers.
- Megalyn Echikunwoke: This was his most serious post-divorce relationship. They started dating in 2016 and stayed together for about four years. Megalyn is an actress (you might know her from Almost Family or Arrow). They eventually split in 2020, reportedly because Rock wasn't ready to commit to marriage again.
- Carmen Ejogo: Shortly after the split from Megalyn, Rock was spotted on several dates with British actress Carmen Ejogo in New York City. It seemed like a brief spark that didn't turn into a long-term flame.
- Lake Bell: This was the big one that had everyone talking in 2022. They were seen everywhere—from baseball games in St. Louis to vacations in Croatia. They looked genuinely happy. However, by the time Rock's Selective Outrage special aired in March 2023, he confirmed he was single.
Is He Dating Anyone Now?
As we move through 2026, Rock's romantic life is mostly under wraps. He’s been focused on his career, his daughters (who are now in their early 20s), and arguably, the fallout from "the slap" that defined his 2022.
He’s joked in the past that he wouldn't get married again even if it "cured AIDS." That’s classic Rock hyperbole, but it carries a kernel of truth. When you lose half your net worth in a divorce settlement, you tend to look at marriage licenses as more of a "legal trap" than a romantic milestone.
Malaak, on the other hand, has seemingly moved on. She’s been linked to Eric Maurice, a French entrepreneur. She continues her massive philanthropic work through The Angel Rock Project, focusing on children in South Africa and domestic violence survivors.
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The Bottom Line
Chris Rock is single. He is not married to anyone.
If you see headlines claiming he’s found a new wife, they’re likely clickbait. His current "relationship" is with his audience and his work. He’s spent the last few years processing the end of his nearly two-decade marriage through his art, and he seems perfectly content keeping things that way.
If you want to stay updated on Chris Rock's status, the best place to look isn't the tabloids—it's his next stand-up set. He'll be the first to tell you if he’s found "the one," mostly because he'll have twenty minutes of new jokes about how much the wedding cost.
For now, you can stop searching for a Mrs. Rock. She doesn't exist.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Specials: To get the full, raw story of his divorce, watch Tamborine (the Extended Cut) and Selective Outrage on Netflix.
- Check the Tour Dates: Rock often tests new personal material on smaller club tours before a big special.
- Respect the Privacy: While he's a public figure, his daughters are adults living their own lives; avoid digging into their private social media for "clues" about their dad's dating life.