Chris Rock has reflected on the mistakes he made during his marriage to philanthropist Malaak Compton-Rock, admitting that his behaviour contributed to the breakdown of their relationship. The comedian, who divorced Malaak in 2016 after nearly two decades together, spoke candidly about his past in a new interview.
The 61-year-old acknowledged that he watched a lot of pornography and cheated during the marriage, reflecting on behaviour he now regrets. His comments offer another insight into the relationship's breakdown, which he has previously addressed through his comedy and interviews.
Chris Rock Addresses His Past Mistakes
In a cover interview for GQ's 2026 Men of the Year issue, Rock looked back on his marriage and admitted that he had not always treated his former wife well. 'I was not a great husband', he told the publication, adding: 'I watched a lot of porn'. He then revealed that he no longer watches pornography, explaining that he stopped around five or six years ago.
However, his pornography consumption was not the only behaviour he acknowledged when discussing the difficulties in his marriage. Rock also addressed his history of cheating, admitting that his decisions were not something he was proud of.
'It's not anything I'm proud of, but it's something I had to go through', he said.
Chris Rock and his wife Malaak Compton-Rock are divorcing after 19 years of marriage: http://t.co/St0Yt6dDGZ pic.twitter.com/dZhx1uEssU
— Philly A&E (@PhillyEntertain) December 28, 2014
The comedian compared his past behaviour to a superhero testing newly discovered powers before realising that those abilities do not make them invincible. 'I was severely humbled, as I should have been', he added.
His latest comments follow his 2018 Netflix comedy special, Chris Rock: Tamborine, in which he discussed his infidelity and the consequences of his actions. At the time, he also spoke about how cheating could permanently change a relationship after a partner discovers the betrayal.
Inside the Couple's Divorce
Rock and Malaak announced their separation in December 2014 after 18 years of marriage. The comedian filed for divorce, with his lawyer confirming the decision in a statement that described the situation as a personal matter.
Malaak also addressed the separation, saying their decision followed considerable contemplation. She emphasised that their children's well-being remained her priority and asked the public to respect their family's privacy during the transition.
Although Rock has since acknowledged his infidelity and other personal shortcomings, the former couple did not publicly identify a single reason for ending their marriage. A source previously told People that the divorce had been a long time coming, adding that Rock believed the relationship could no longer be saved.
Their divorce was finalised in August 2016. Rock has also explained that he avoids making jokes about his former wife because he has a public platform while she does not.
Chris Rock and ex-wife Malaak Compton-Rock sharing a proud parent moment at daughter's graduation. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AXfLhRLO75
— 👑 J³ABz👑 (@Jabz_CFC) May 24, 2026
Marriage, Children and Life Together
Rock and Malaak married in 1996, building a family together during the comedian's rise to international fame. The former couple share two daughters, Lola Simone and Zahra Savannah. Lola was born in 2002, while Zahra was born in 2004, and both have largely been kept away from the spotlight.
Despite their separation, Rock and Malaak have maintained some family connections through important occasions involving their children. In May 2026, they were photographed together at Zahra's University of Southern California graduation, where the former couple reunited to celebrate their daughter's achievement.
