American comedian Dave Chappelle tests positive for Covid-19

The funnyman was pictured earlier this week posing mask-free with Elon Musk and Joe Rogen

Comedian Dave Chappelle has tested positive for Covid-19, forcing him to cut short a run of shows in Texas, US. EPA

Dave Chappelle has tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing the American comedian to cut short a run of shows in the US.

The actor, writer and producer, 47, performed the first of five planned gigs on Wednesday, January 20 at Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheatre in Austin, Texas.

However, on Thursday, he tested positive for Covid-19, his spokesperson has confirmed.

His remaining shows have been cancelled and Chappelle is quarantining, his representative Carla Sims said in a statement.

The comedian is asymptomatic, Sims added.

“Chappelle has safely conducted socially distanced shows in Ohio since June 2020 and he moved those shows to Austin during the winter,” the statement detailed.

“Chappelle implemented Covid-19 protocols which included rapid testing for the audience and daily testing for himself and his team. His diligent testing enabled him to immediately respond by quarantining, thus mitigating the spread of the virus.”

Two of Chappelle’s shows were due to feature fellow comedian Joe Rogan, who apologised to fans on social media, confirming the cancelled performances would be rescheduled.

Chappelle and Rogen were pictured earlier this week, along with business magnate and SpaceX founder Elon Musk and his singer parter, Grimes. No one in the photograph was wearing a face mask.

Canadian musician Grimes, 32, revealed on January 11 she had also tested positive for the coronavirus.

"Finally got Covid but weirdly enjoying the Dayquil fever dream 2021," the singer, born Claire Boucher, posted on Instagram at the time.

The star and Musk welcomed their first child together, a boy named X AE A-XII, in May 2020.

- Additional reporting by AP