2006–2012: Laugh Factory incident and aftermath During a performance on November 17, 2006, at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, California, Richards launched into a racist rant in response to repeated heckling and interruptions from a small group of Black and Hispanic audience members. Richards was recorded shouting "He's a nigger!"

Richards, who was in the midst of performing a stand-up set at the time, was triggered by a few members of the audience talking during his act, and decided to hurl racial slurs at them in frustration. The event was caught on film and the comedian's reputation and career both took a major hit.

In 2006, Richards was performing at the Laugh Factory and was heckled by a Black audience member. In response, he reportedly shouted the “n-word” in describing the man. Witnesses said he also verbally assailed other members of the crowd with racially insensitive language.

During the stand-up set at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, Richards yelled racial insults at a group of hecklers, including using the N-word multiple times, after they interrupted his performance.

He describes the fateful night an audience member at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood shouted ‘You’re not funny!’ during his stand-up set, a heckle Richards shockingly responded to by repeatedly calling the man the ‘N-word.’ A tape of his racist tirade quickly leaked, swiftly turning the public against the actor.