Show business veteran Chris Rock came to Los Angeles last February to talk with professional and college press nationwide about his next major venture, Dreamworks Pictures’ “Head of State.”

In it, Rock plays Mays Gilliam, a Washington D.C. alderman who surprisingly gets picked to be a presidential candidate. Offscreen, he teams up again with Ali LeRoi. They worked together on HBO’s “The Chris Rock Show,” and the theatrical outings “Down to Earth” and “Pootie Tang.” Onscreen, Rock is joined by African American screen beauties Lynn Whitfield and Robin Givens, character actor Dylan Baker, and African American comedians Tracy Morgan and Bernie Mac.

His cable show and TV specials garnered two Emmys and several nominations, in addition to the attention and respect of popular figures, political and Hollywood. At heart, Rock is just another funny family man.

Noeh Nazareno: I noticed that in “Bad Company” you showed a really nice level of timing and restraint in your performance, and it’s also due partly to the material you probably had. And it also kinda shows in “Head of State” with the jokes and the timing and the exact wording. And it provides for a really pure sense of entertainment.

Chris Rock: You’re the guy who saw “Bad Company,” huh?

NN: (laughs) I have the DVD too!

CR: He bought the one ticket for $30 million (laughs)

NN: How’d ya know?

CR: Ah, OK, this movie’s nothing like Bad Company. So, I mean, Bernie Mac’s a lot funnier than Anthony Hopkins. (laughs) I know you think Anthony’s a cut-up! Trust me, Bernie Mac kills ’em! I mean, in order for the movies to be good, I have to step out of my stand-up persona, in order for them to be real movies, you know what I mean? So, yeah, I step a little bit away from my stand-up persona in this, but not a lot, not too much, you know.

NN: You’re gonna be writing an episode with Bernie Mac.

CR: We were talking about it the other day. I don’t know what I’m doing yet.

NN: Do you watch the show?

CR: Yeah, very funny. Best show on TV, “Bernie Mac.”

NN: Do you think we’re gonna see anymore HBO stand-up specials anytime soon?

CR: I got no job, so, whenever I have no job. (laughs) Yeah, I think it’s about time. I think the last one I did was about three years ago. The world’s changed enough that I wouldn’t be talking about the same stuff. Yeah, it’s very possible, very, very possible.

NN: When you’re at home and you’re not writing or developing your projects, you’re at home with your wife, what does America’s funny man do?

CR: Smoke crack. (laughs) Mainly, I just play with my baby, actually. Just on the floor, goo-gooin’ and you know, trying to get her to smile or whatever, that’s pretty much it. Get the kid tired enough to go to sleep.

Click here to send private feedback about this article to the State Hornet’s Features staff.