Megalyn Echikunwoke: 5 Things To Know About Chris Rock’s New Girlfriend

Well well well, Chris Rock has a beautiful new girlfriend just in time for his big night hosting the Academy Awards Feb. 28. She’s beautiful actress Megalyn Echikunwoke, and while her name might seem unfamiliar, you’ve definitely seen her face on TV.

Sorry ladies, Chris Rock, 51, is officially off the market, as he now has a steady lady in 32-year-old actress Megalyn Echikunwoke. This is the funnyman’s first serious relationship since he filed for divorce from his wife of 19 years, Malaak Compton-Rock in Dec. 2014. Megalyn has been acting in TV character roles since 1998, but is best known for playing Medical Examiner Dr. Tara Price on season seven of CSI: Miami, though she currently guest stars on the CW’s hit Arrow and is the voice behind the web series superhero Vixen. Read on for more details about beautiful and talented Megalyn.

Here are five things to know about Megalyn:

1. She was raised on a Navajo reservation in Arizona even though she’s not Native American.

Though she was born in Spokane, Washington, Megalyn grew up on a reservation in Chinle, Arizona. Her father is of Nigerian descent, while her mother is of European descent.

2. Her last name “Echikunwoke” has a very special meaning.

Megalyn’s last name is Nigerian and it means “leader of men.”

3. She’s been acting professionally since she was 15-years-old.

Megalyn was discovered when she was 14 years old, after performing in a play at summer arts camp. She then began auditioning for roles, initially via video tape, then making the drive from Arizona to Los Angeles. Megalyn’s first big breaks came in 1998, when she made a guest appearance on The Steve Harvey Show and also appeared in the TV miniseries Creature.

4. She is politically active.

In 2007, along with fellow actors Justin Long and Olivia Wilde, Megalyn went on the campaign trail for then-Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama by going on a tour of Iowa college campuses and bars to help register young voters.

5. She ‘s a versatile character actress who can easily move between comedy and drama

Megalyn has guest credits on That ’70s Show, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, E.R., 24, Veronica Mars, Law & Order: SVU, 90210, House of Lies and Supernatural just to name of few of the many shows she’s appeared on!

HollywoodLifers, do you think Chris will bring Megalyn to the Oscars as his date?