For the past few years, I’ve always hoped that we weren’t hearing much about Dave Chappelle because he was just living a quiet life, away from the trappings of fame and success, and that he was mentally healthy and sober. Well, my hopes have been dashed. TMZ reports that Dave “freaked out” on a private jet on a flight from New Jersey, bound for Ohio. Dave kept walking into the cockpit and bothering the pilot, and apparently he freaked the pilot out so much, they made an emergency stop in Pittsburgh. This sh-t is not good.
A private jet carrying comedian Dave Chappelle made an emergency landing in Pittsburgh last night because the pilot couldn’t handle Chappelle’s erratic behavior, TMZ has learned.
A source extremely familiar with the incident tells TMZ Chappelle boarded a private jet in New Jersey last night bound for Ohio — where the actor lives.
During the flight, we’re told Dave “freaked out” and refused to put his seat belt on. Then — according to sources — Dave repeatedly walked into the cockpit, asking how much longer the flight would be, and started grabbing the pilot’s arms.
Sources say the pilot determined Chappelle was a safety risk and diverted the plane to Pittsburgh.
We’re told Chappelle then checked into a nearby hotel for the night. Sources at the hotel tell us Dave has been telling hotel employees he wanted to rent a car to drive back to Ohio … only he couldn’t remember where he lived.
Chappelle was spotted wandering out of the hotel early this morning.
A rep for Chappelle explains the incident to TMZ by saying Dave really needed to use the restroom — he ate something that didn’t sit well — and the bathroom on the plane was “not the kind he needed.”
[From TMZ]
So, straight up mental illness, some kind of nervous breakdown, or drugs? Or am I bitch for asking that? If this was the first time Dave had ever done something strange and self-defeating, I would say nervous breakdown. But after his seeming meltdown a few years ago (when he went to South Africa to check himself into a mental health facility), I’m angling more towards mental illness or drugs. More to mental illness, honestly. I think Dave is crazy – for part of his career, he was able to channel his crazy into comedy with great success, but now – I just feel bad for the guy, I do. Still, do not walk into the cockpit, even if it’s a private plane. Pilots are extra jumpy these days, for good reason.
