Chevy Chase Community Exit Controversy: Actor Calls Fallout a 'Misunderstanding'

"I'm not racist." Chevy Chase isn't backing down from the controversy that led to his exit from the NBC sitcom Community over a decade ago. As a new documentary prepares to air, the veteran comedian claims the friction on set was simply a result of costars being "too young" to understand his brand of humor.

The Truth Behind Chevy Chase’s Community Exit Controversy

According to Entertainment Weekly and a new CNN documentary titled 'I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not' premiering on January 1, 2026, the tension on the set of 'Community' reached a breaking point in 2012. Director Jay Chandrasekhar confirmed that Chase used a racial slur during a "full meltdown," which prompted actress Yvette Nicole Brown to walk off the set.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Chase dismissed the gravity of these reports. When asked about the incident, he remained abrasive, even telling the interviewer to "shut up" when pressed on his past positive comments about the show. Chase argued that there was a "visceral reaction" from younger cast members who didn't realize he wasn't being literal.

Generational Clashes and Racial Rhetoric

Chase defended his actions by citing his relationship with late comedian Richard Pryor. He explained that they used to trade racial insults as a sign of affection, a dynamic he feels his Community colleagues didn't grasp. However, the director's account suggests that the industry's tolerance for such behavior has long since passed, regardless of the actor's intent.