Chris Rock is looking back on the mistakes he made during his marriage to Malaak Compton-Rock, acknowledging that he was not the husband he should have been.
The comedian and actor, 61, discussed the end of the couple’s relationship in a new interview with GQ, which named him one of its 2026 Men of the Year following the release of his film Misty Green.
“I was not a great husband,” Rock admitted.
He said his marriage was affected by his pornography use, revealing that he watched porn during the relationship but has not done so in several years. “I watched a lot of porn. I don’t watch porn anymore. I haven’t watched porn in five, six years,” he said. Rock also acknowledged that he was unfaithful during the marriage. He has previously spoken about cheating, but in the new interview he reflected on those choices with regret.
“It’s not anything I’m proud of, but it’s something I had to go through,” Rock said.
The actor compared his behavior to a superhero discovering that he has extraordinary powers but does not yet understand how to use them responsibly.
“It’s like you watch a Marvel movie, and the guy, he has to test his powers,” Rock explained. “Every Marvel movie, man or woman, they have to test their powers.”
Rock said superhero characters often become reckless after realizing what they are capable of. They attempt to perform increasingly dangerous feats before eventually recognizing their limitations and learning humility.
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“They’re a–holes. They get these powers and they’re a–holes, and they’re racing trains and they’re lifting up ocean liners and they try to go to the sun, then they crash down because they realize they’re not God,” he said. “And then they start helping people.”
“I tested my powers,” Rock continued. “I definitely realized I wasn’t God or anywhere near him, and I was severely humbled, as I should have been.”
Rock and Compton-Rock were married for 18 years before separating in 2014. Their divorce was finalized in 2016 after a lengthy process.
At the time of their separation, Compton-Rock released a statement saying that the couple had decided to go their separate ways after years of marriage. She emphasized that their children remained her highest priority and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy.
“After much contemplation and 19 years of marriage, Chris and I have decided to go our separate ways,” she said. “Being fortunate enough to lead a life of service by working with those most vulnerable makes me well aware of life’s blessings, even when faced with difficulties.”
“While recognizing that this is a significant change, my children remain at the center of my life and their well-being is my top priority,” she added.
The former couple share two daughters, Zahra Savannah, 22, and Lola Simon, 24.
A source previously told PEOPLE that the divorce had been “a long time coming,” claiming Rock had understood for some time that the relationship could not be saved. The source said Rock was the one who filed because he believed it was time to move forward.
Following the divorce, Rock also made a point of saying that he would not use the details of his marriage as material for jokes. Although his personal life could have provided extensive material for his comedy, he said he did not think it would be fair to publicly discuss the relationship in a way that could affect Compton-Rock.
“It’s not fair. I have a mic, she doesn’t,” Rock told Rolling Stone in 2017. “God forbid people are bugging her in the supermarket. That’s not cool. I’m going to have to see her at weddings and graduations.”
His comments reflected his awareness that public criticism would affect his former wife differently because he had a large platform and she did not have the same ability to respond.
Despite their divorce, Rock and Compton-Rock have continued to appear together for important family events. The former couple was photographed together in May 2026 when their daughter Zahra graduated from the University of Southern California. Rock’s latest remarks suggest that he now views the end of his marriage through the lens of accountability and personal growth. Rather than blaming Compton-Rock or portraying himself as a victim, he acknowledged that his own choices contributed to the relationship’s collapse.
His comments also show how his perspective has changed over time. Rock described the experience as painful and humbling, but said it forced him to confront his behavior and recognize the consequences of his decisions.