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Known for his edgy, unrestrained style of stand-up comedy, Chris Rock’s sense of humor remained just as bold after becoming a father. In his comedy special “Chris Rock: Never Scared,” he humorously declared that his main parental duty was to “keep her off the pole,” referring to his first daughter, Lola Simone Rock, born on June 28, 2002, to his then-wife Malaak Compton-Rock. They also welcomed Zahra Savannah Rock on May 22, 2004.
Despite his comedic jests, Chris takes his role as a father seriously. He expressed his pride in being a dad, emphasizing that he appreciates every moment without distinction between “quality time” and regular time. At the time, his daughters were 6 and 4 years old, respectively. In a later interview with Oprah, he acknowledged that evaluating oneself as a parent is a long-term endeavor, without the convenience of midterm assessments. He likened parenthood to a marathon, emphasizing the need for a full commitment.
As his daughters grew older, Chris remained committed to his role as a father. There was a significant instance where he had to assert authority over Lola to impart a crucial lesson. During a stand-up special discussing the infamous Will Smith incident, he also shared a story about Lola’s high school trip abroad, where she and her friends were caught drinking. Chris recounted the incident, highlighting the serious consequences his daughter faced.
Despite Lola’s expulsion from school, she has thrived. Her mother, Malaak Compton-Rock, proudly shared Lola’s high school graduation and 18th birthday celebration, expressing her pride in the young woman Lola had become. Chris revealed that Lola was pursuing her education in Paris, and they celebrated this milestone with affection.
As Lola transitioned into adulthood, Chris exhibited a more lenient stance, particularly concerning body art. He recounted an endearing father-daughter moment when Lola turned 18 and expressed interest in getting a tattoo. This led to a joint visit to a tattoo parlor, where they each got a meaningful design. Chris explained the touching motivation behind this shared experience.
While Lola maintains a low profile on social media and Chris is private about his daughters’ personal lives, he marked Father’s Day with a heartwarming post in 2020. Alongside photos of him with Lola and his younger daughter, Zahra Savannah Rock, he expressed his immense joy in being a father and extended Father’s Day wishes to fellow dads, playfully adding a humorous touch.