A Sante Fe man who tossed a banana peel at Dave Chappelle during his standup show, hitting in the comedian in the leg, is being charged by police in this northern New Mexico city.
“Hey, who just threw a banana peel?” asked the big name comedian who makes his home just outside Yellow Springs, OH. “Hey, would you guys like to see your favorite comedian beat the (expletive) out of somebody?” Chappelle asked a sold-out show as it happened.
Christian Englander, 30, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor disorderly conduct and battery after the fruit throw Monday night, Santa Fe police Lt. Andrea Dobyns said.
Englander’s friend reportedly was drawing in a sketchbook during the show when Chappelle noticed and asked the man his name, which he gave as “Johnny Appleseed,” Dobyns said. Chappelle then made jokes about the moniker, the police spokeswoman said, “so that’s when Englander got upset.”
Englander acknowledged throwing a peel from a banana he had eaten earlier, Dobyns said. Englander told police Chappelle was making “racist” comments and that he didn’t feel sorry about it.
Chappelle is pressing charges, because he told police he felt that it was racist, and is troubled that the accused showed no remorse.
At one point, Englander laughed when he told police, “Maybe I should have handed Chapelle the banana.”
Chappelle lives on a 65 acre farm outside Yellow Springs with his wife and three kids. His father was an Antioch College professor and Chappelle lived there over summers in the 1980s when his parents separated. He also reportedly owns several houses in Xenia.
Arresting officers said Englander appeared to be intoxicated after event security escorted him outside.
Englander was in jail Tuesday, and Dobyns said she didn’t know whether Englander has an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Chappelle has had run-ins with audience members before. In a 2013 gig in Hartford, Connecticut, Chappelle was heckled so much he shut down his act after 10 minutes.
Known for his commentary on race in America, Chappelle has gradually resumed his stand-up career in the past two years, making a long-awaited return after abandoning his popular Comedy Central show in 2005.
