Rochelle Rock is a the mother from the hit television program, Everybody Hates Chris. Rochelle is played by Tichina Arnold. Everybody Hates Chris is loosely based on comedian Chris Rock's childhood and teen years and thusly Rochelle is also loosely based on Chris Rock's real-life mother. However, Chris Rock's mother's actual name is Rose Rock.
| Rochelle Rock | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | Everybody Hates the Pilot |
| Portrayed by | Tichina Arnold |
| In-universe information | |
| Family | Gene (father) Maxine (mother) Charlotte (younger sister) Mousey (older sister) Michael (older brother) |
| Spouse | Julius Rock (1969-present) |
| Children | Chris Rock (older son) Tonya Rock (daughter) Drew Rock (younger son) |
Character Background
Rochelle Rock is 59 year old mother, having to run a household with her husband Julius Rock, over their three children; Chris, Drew, and Tonya. Rochelle and Julius Rock were married around the late 1960s. Not only does Rochelle have three children, but she’s also living in a dangerous, lower class neighborhood, with thieves, gangs, criminals, etc. She and the rest of her Rock clan moved from Housing projects, to a four-bedroom apartment in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York. These are just some of the reasons that Rochelle is the strong, opinionated woman she is. In fact, there have been several instances of hold ups and robberies on the program. Known for her stern intimidating, ranting and raving moments, and comical sassiness, Rochelle is the exact opposite of the show's protagonist, Chris, who is often walked on by everyone else on the program. Besides being the dominant maternal figure, Rochelle truly does love her family and has many sweet traits. She makes sure she's the mother that her immediate family needs, helps out whenever it's needed, and does all the housework like making dinner, even on the tight budget.
Rochelle depends on her husband, Julius Rock, more than anyone. This is mainly because of Julius having two jobs. It doesn't take Rochelle much, or very long to quit the jobs she gets to help out. Her final words before leaving her jobs are always, "I do need this. My man got two jobs!" Oftentimes, she gets a job when Julius is going through trouble and is out of a job for some reason. As soon as he's back on his feet or has his two jobs again, Rochelle will literally look for a reason to quit. If her boss so much as looks at her the wrong, she'll voice her quitting phrase.
Overall, Rochelle and Julius have a healthy marriage, and are sweet and respectful of each other in general. Though they have their moments, it doesn’t take much for them to patch things up. It’s usually Julius who’s the one to make the first effort at patching things up, being the more reasonable and level-headed of the two. Rochelle tends to stick to her opinions and ways, even when she’s not making any sense, sounds absurd, and is aware of this but doesn't care. In fact, lots of times when Julius has done something wrong, Rochelle has him just as afraid as the three children. Kind-hearted, fair-minded, and understanding when she wants to be, Rochelle is always able to change her ways whenever Julius is really beginning to have problem with her and so has his calm talks with her. However, as with all of Rochelle’s affectionate moments, her warm way of making up with Julius is never without a wittily sassy remark for him. Rochelle is known to make these remarks right in the middle of kissing Julius or hugging him. For the most part however, Rochelle behaves affectionately towards Julius, referring to him as “Baby!” more than Julius.
Rochelle and Julius gave birth to their first son, Chris Rock, in 1969. Much like his brother and sister, Chris is respectful and obedient toward his mother. However, as with the other children, Chris’ behavior doesn’t just come out of the blue. Rochelle has a way making her children intimidated. One way, in which she does this, is by constantly letting Chris know how she'll do such things as, “slap the black off of his behind” or “knock the lobes off his ears and the pores off his face”, if he doesn’t do as she says. As with many of the other characters on Everybody Hates Chris, Rochelle often ends up acting unfairly towards Chris. Chris ends up having to just suck it up, especially since Rochelle is his mother and Chris loves his parents so much. Rochelle refers to Chris as “Boy!”
Rochelle and Julius gave birth to their second child, Drew Rock, in 1971. Ironically, Drew appears older than Chris because he’s taller and cooler and more auspicious. Throughout the show’s existence, Rochelle has come down hardest on Drew out of the other three children and tolerates the least misbehavior out of him, for some unknown reason. Drew often annoys and tries to instigate his brother and sister. However, Tonya has been known to be far worse in this department and it has been overlooked sometimes by her parents. Rochelle once excused herself and Drew from the dinnertable, sending him upstairs with her, while raving on and on. As in many cases, Drew did something wrong, and Rochelle took him off in private to handle it. Whatever happens when she takes Drew off in private is unknown, as the camera usually doesn't follow. However, in one episode, the sound of Drew's cries were heard. It was suggested on the episode, that Rochelle might have actually slapped Drew off into next week and Drew wouldn’t be back until the following Sunday. As with Chris, Rochelle refers to Drew as “Boy!”
Rochelle gave birth to her youngest and only daughter, Tonya Rock, in 1973. Out of all of her daughters, Tonya gets away with the most, as it's usually done behind the backs of her parents. Tonya is often seen tattling on her brothers to Rochelle. Because Rochelle doesn't know what exactly has gone on, she'll go after all the children, even though its usually just Tonya who deserves punishment. Tonya was particularly naughty and obnoxious in the first season. However, in one particular episode, Rochelle seemingly put that to an end. She had it out with Tonya, to the point where she has to be restrained. Since then, Tonya has become far less misbehaved, even though she’s still sometimes has her moments where she gets away with murder on her siblings. Rochelle often refers to her as “Girl!”
Rochelle doesn’t have much of a relationship with Chris’ friend Greg, as it’s a character that normally hangs out with just Chris. However, in the show’s 3rd season premiere, Rochelle remarks “What the hell is that smell? Greg, is that you, boy?” Greg, who was wearing a diaper that he had peed in, replied on how he was studying to be an astronaut. Rochelle quickly snapped, “Well, even astronauts wash their…” However Chris was able to get his mom to leave with him, before she finished off her remarks for Greg smelling so terribly. Rochelle left the seen covering her nose, while exclaiming, "My god!"
EXTENDED FAMILY
- Jimmy Walker as Gene, Rochelle's father. Gene and Rochelle have a loving relationship. Her father gave her great advice and encouragement before he died. It took Rochelle awhile to get over his passing away
- Loretta Devine as Maxine, Rochelle’s mother. Maxine and Rochelle have a good relationship. However, it has been said that Maxine is an even bigger ghetto snob than Rochelle is. They both seem to have some habits and behaviors that annoy each other.
- Earthquake as Uncle Mike, Rochelle’s fully grown brother. Rochelle is usually gracious to her brother, allowing him to stay with them when his Maxine kicks him out. However, Rochelle often hears about it from Julius who detests Uncle Mike's visits, especially because of his obnoxious behaviors
- Monica Calhoun as Aunt Charlotte “Grievey”, one of Rochelle’s sisters. She and Rochelle don't have much of a relationship because Grievey only likes to come around during funerals and doesn't say much.
HABITS
- Rochelle often cares about what other people think
- passionatly sing (not very well).
- Rochelle also has a thing for Chocolate turtles (a pecan candy). In one episode, titled Everybody Hates the Lottery, Rochelle is addicted to Chocolate turtles, and mostly eats every single one of them.