Comedian Dave Chappelle attacked on stage during Netflix Is A Joke festival

Dave Chappelle was reportedly attacked on stage during a live performance.

A man reportedly armed with a gun and knife has attacked comedian Dave Chappelle on stage during a live performance

The 48-year-old comedian was attacked by a man who attempted to tackle him to the ground as he performed as part of the Netflix Is A Joke festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Tuesday night local time.

In videos shared on social media, Chappelle can be seen standing on stage when a man suddenly charges at him from the side.

Security guards and actor Jamie Foxx ran on stage to help the comedian, while another video allegedly shows the man being detained by guards at the venue.

Shortly after, fellow comedian Chris Rock cracked a joke asking if the attacker was Will Smith. The attack on Chappelle came just weeks after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the Oscars ceremony.

Chappelle later told the crowd: "I grabbed the back of that n***** head, his hair was spongy, absorbent."

Dave Chappelle just got attacked on stage? Where was security?! #smh #DaveChappelle #attacked pic.twitter.com/QWlLwYbWiI

— MR. PRIMETIMETALK (@primetimetalktv) May 4, 2022

While Foxx added: "Listen, I just want to say I've had an incredible time. This guy is a genius, we've got to protect him at all times, man. This is what it's about.

"For every comedian that comes out here, this means everything. You're a genius, you're a legend, I enjoyed myself thoroughly and we're not gonna let nothing happen to you."

In another short clip seemingly taken after the incident, Chappelle appears to joke that the alleged attacker was a "trans man".

The comedian previously faced a lot of backlash with fans accusing him of making transphobic comments in his 2021 Netflix special The Closer.

He later posted on Instagram and explained while he was willing to discuss the show with members of the transgender community, he wouldn't be "bending to anybody's demands".

He said at the time: "To the transgender community, I am more than willing to give you an audience.

"But you will not summon me. I am not bending to anybody's demands."

He added: "If they had invited me I would have accepted it, although I am confused about what we are speaking about.

"I said what I said and boy I heard what you said. My god, how could I not?"

Chappelle's attacker was put on a stretcher and taken to hospital. Footage shows him being treated for what appeared to be an injured arm.

Witnesses spoke about the incident on social media.

"I'm at this Dave Chappelle concert and tell me why some guy ran up and tackled him," one audience member said on Twitter.

Another said: "Just saw someone tackle Dave Chappelle on stage at the Hollywood Bowl then guy got jumped."

NFL star Marcellus Willey tweeted: "Leaving Dave Chappelle show and some foo ran on stage and just tackled him hard as funk on some Will Smith BS!"