Chris Rock is opening up about a personal struggle he says he was able to hide for years behind his comedy.
In a new Variety interview tied to his upcoming film Misty Green, Rock revealed that he has been diagnosed with nonverbal learning disorder, describing it in his own words as “a kind of ADHD-ish, Asperger-y thing.”
The comedian said his ability to make people laugh sometimes allowed him to avoid confronting challenges earlier in his life.
“I have a level of concentration and empathy that I just did not have back then,” Rock said.
Rock added that his comedic talent gave him an unusual advantage — but also meant he did not have to confront certain personal issues as directly.
“I was so good at telling jokes that I didn’t have to face a lot of things,” he said. “My comedic gifts put me in a position where I didn’t have to grow up.”
Now, Rock believes he is better prepared to tackle more emotionally demanding work, including Misty Green.
Nonverbal learning disorder can affect areas including visual-spatial processing, pattern recognition and interpreting certain social cues, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The conversation also turned to another subject that has followed Rock for years: the Oscars.
Asked whether he would ever host the Academy Awards again, Rock pointed to the current generation of hosts before leaving the door only slightly open.
“When people answer those questions, they’re being disrespectful to the people that got the gig,” he said, praising Conan O’Brien and Nikki Glaser. “I’m not going to say never, but my time might have passed, honestly.”
Rock also reflected on the fallout from the 2022 Oscars, when Will Smith walked onto the stage and slapped him during the live ceremony.
Rather than frame the incident as the defining event of his life, Rock said he wishes it had never happened while also downplaying its importance compared with the broader problems people face.
“I wish nothing would have happened,” Rock said. “It’s a crazy world.”
As for another Oscars appearance, Rock has one very specific scenario in mind.
“The only way I’ll go back is if I’m nominated,” he said. “And I’m not getting nominated. And that’s OK. We’ll deal with that if it happens. Like, let’s manage expectations.”
Meanwhile, Misty Green is scheduled to hit theaters Oct. 9.
