MUMBAI: A man who attacked controversial comic Dave Chappelle on stage as he performed a live stand-up set in Los Angeles has been arrested and charged with assault, US police said Wednesday.

The comedian was finishing a set during the "Netflix Is A Joke" comedy festival at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday night when a man from the audience climbed on stage and rushed at him.

The man, who police said was armed with a replica gun that contained a knife, was swiftly detained by security guards who swarmed the stage. Chappelle was not injured.

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Chappelle, 48, has recently attracted protests for jokes criticized as transphobic, but the motive for this attack was not immediately known. The incident comes just weeks after actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage during the Oscars, in a widely condemned action that had raised immediate fears of copycat attacks.

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There were probably 15 people that were almost immediately all over the stage.

Los Angeles police identified the alleged attacker as Isaiah Lee, 23, and said he had been charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon. "The suspect produced what was later discovered to be a replica handgun and pointed the item at" Chappelle, police said.

"He was transported to a local hospital to treat injuries sustained during the altercation with security," police said.

Attendees said security had been more visible than usual at the Hollywood Bowl, and audience members were required to place their cellphones in sealed bags during Chappelle's show.

Credit: ETimes