Kevin Darnell Hart (born July 6, 1979) is an American comedian and actor. The accolades he has received include nominations for four Primetime Emmy Awards.
After winning several stand-up comedy competitions, Hart had his first breakthrough when Judd Apatow cast him in a recurring role on the TV series Undeclared (2001). Hart's comedic reputation continued to grow with the release of his first stand-up album I'm a Grown Little Man (2009). He has since released four more comedy albums: Seriously Funny (2010), Laugh at My Pain (2011), Let Me Explain (2013), and What Now? (2016).
Kevin Darnell Hart[2] was born in Philadelphia on July 6, 1979,[3] the son of Nancy Hart (died 2007)[4] and Henry Robert Witherspoon (died 2022).[3][5] He has an older brother named Robert.[2] He was raised in a single-parent household by his mother, who worked as a systems analyst for the Office of Student Registration and Financial Services at the University of Pennsylvania.[2] His father was a cocaine addict who was in and out of jail throughout most of Hart's childhood, prompting Hart to use humor as a way to cope with his troubled family life.[3] His relationship with his father improved after his father recovered from his addiction.[4] He would also later talk about his mother in his stand-up routine, portraying her as a loving yet intimidating woman.[6]
Hart's first stand-up performance took place at The Laff House in his native Philadelphia under the name of Lil Kev, which did not go well.[4][14] His career suffered a slow start and he was booed offstage several times, once even having a piece of chicken thrown at him.[15] After those initial unsuccessful shows, he began entering comedy competitions throughout Massachusetts, with audience receptions eventually improving.[12] It took time for Hart to develop a unique comedic style. After an early period of attempting to imitate comedians like Chris Tucker, he found his own rhythm by delving into his insecurities and life experiences. He said, "Because of what I do, it has to be an open book. But right now this is a book that is being written."[15]
Hart's comedy tours began in 2009 with his act titled I'm a Grown Little Man, followed by Seriously Funny in 2010, Laugh at My Pain in 2011, and Let Me Explain in 2013, the last two of which were also released as features in movie theaters.[4] Hart grossed over $15 million from "Laugh at My Pain", making it one of the year's top-selling comedy tours.[16] Hart also has a game app available through iTunes called "Little Jumpman". His Facebook page, Twitter account, and YouTube channel are all connected to and accessible through this app.[14] Most overseas fans of Hart discovered him on YouTube, as well.[17]
In 2014, Hart starred as Ben in Ride Along, opposite Ice Cube.[23] The film received generally negative reviews from critics, but was a major box office success.[24][25] Hart returned in the sequel, Ride Along 2, which was released in 2016.[26][27]
In 2013, Hart co-created Real Husbands of Hollywood with Chris Spencer.[28] The show follows Hart along with other married celebrities (each playing a comical fictionalized version of themselves) within the series including: Boris Kodjoe, Nelly, Duane Martin, J.B. Smoove, Nick Cannon and Robin Thicke. Thicke did not return for the second season due to his music career, though Hart has stated that the door is open for him to return.[29] The series is filmed in a style similar to Bravo's The Real Housewives. Episodes often hinge on the "real" Hart's desperately unsuccessful attempts to climb Hollywood's celebrity social ladder (which always backfire in humiliating ways), and the character's barely-hidden envy of his more successful celebrity friends. A sneak peek was shown as a segment during the 2012 BET Awards and the official promo was released in October 2012.[30]
In 2018, he produced his first film under his production company HartBeat Productions, Night School.[36] In October 2018, his production company announced that he signed a first-look deal with Nickelodeon. Under the deal, Hart and his HartBeat Productions banner will develop and produce live-action, scripted kids content for the network. Hart also has a first-look film deal with Universal Studios.[37]
In 2021, Hart starred in Fatherhood, a drama about a man whose wife dies shortly after childbirth, leaving him to raise their daughter on his own.[39] It premiered on Netflix on June 18, 2021.[40]
In July 2020, his series Die Hart premiered on Quibi on July 20 and had a strong first weekend. In March 2023, Roku and Hart's multi-platform comedy brand Laugh Out Loud debuted the series' second season on The Roku Channel. In addition to returning to his starring role, Hart executive produced the second season; Laugh Out Loud CEO and Hart's longtime business partner, Jeff Clanagan, served as a producer on the project.[41]
In 2022, Hart starred alongside Mark Wahlberg in the comedy film, Me Time. The movie shows how Sonny (Hart) experiences a wild journey with his friend after finding a much-longed-for free weekend.[44]
In 2019, Hart signed on to star in and produce Monopoly.[48] As of June 2023[update], Monopoly is still in development.[49]
Laugh Out Loud Productions
In 2017, Hart founded Laugh Out Loud (LOL),[50] a global media and production company to provide opportunities for top comedic talent of all ethnicities worldwide.[51] Originally partnered with Lionsgate,[52] Hart became majority owner in 2019 after buying out most of Lionsgate's stake. LOL spans the full range of media channels, including digital, audio, linear and experiential, with four divisions: LOL Network, LOL Studios, LOL Audio and LOL X![53]
Known for content such as Cold As Balls, What the Fit, Die Hart, and more, LOL has amassed more than 1 billion video views across its digital platforms,[58] and has worked with brand partners such as AT&T, Headspace, Lyft, Old Spice, P&G, and Viacom.[41]
LOL and production company Hartbeat Productions merged in April 2022, creating Hartbeat, which includes Hartbeat Studios, Hartbeat Media and Hartbeat Pulse.[59]
On December 4, 2018, Hart was announced as the host of the 2019 Academy Awards. Two days later, however, he withdrew from hosting duties in the wake of backlash against him over several homophobic tweets he had posted between 2010 and 2011.[67][68][69][70] He characterized the protest as unconstructive and argued, "If you don't believe people change, grow as they get older, I don't know what to tell you". On December 7, he tweeted an apology to the LGBTQ community following criticism for not issuing one the previous day.[71] On January 3, 2019, Hart stated that he was going to reconsider stepping down as host, after openly lesbian comedian Ellen DeGeneres, who has hosted the Academy Awards multiple times, expressed support for him to do so and said she had contacted the Academy to ask if Hart would be able to reverse his decision if he wished and, according to DeGeneres, they said he would be able to do so.[72] On January 8, following backlash for what was perceived as an insincere apology by critics, Hart confirmed that he would not be hosting the Academy Awards.[73] That year's ceremony was ultimately held without a host.
In September 2020, executives from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced plans to relaunch their annual MDA telethon and make Hart its new host, taking over duties that had been held from 1966 to 2010 by comedian and former National MDA Chairman Jerry Lewis.[74] Entitled The MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon, the two-hour telethon was held on October 24, 2020, and was seen exclusively through participating social media platforms.[75]
In August 2022, Hart debuted a vegan restaurant, Hart House, to compete with fast-food chains by "offering flavorful plant-based alternatives".[80][81] The restaurant opened in Los Angeles, California, about a mile from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with a simple menu of veggie burgers and Chick'n products.[80][81] The restaurant's offerings are claimed to be "entirely free of cholesterol, antibiotics, hormones, artificial colors, preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup, or trans fats", and inspired by Hart's own "health nut" lifestyle.[81]
Hart married Torrei Skipper[87] in 2003, and they filed for divorce in 2010 after citing irreconcilable differences.[88] Hart requested joint custody of their two children, a daughter born in 2005 and a son born in 2007.[89][90] The divorce was finalized in November 2011.[91]
On August 18, 2014, Hart became engaged to Eniko Parrish.[92] They were married near Santa Barbara, California, on August 13, 2016.[93] Their first child was born on November 21, 2017.[94] A month later, he publicly admitted to having cheated on her while she was pregnant with their son.[95] They reconciled and had a second child together, a daughter born on September 29, 2020.[96]
An avid poker player since around 2010, Hart has entered major tournaments such as the World Series of Poker, cashing in one event for $4,783 in 2014. He also plays cash games, like the ones organized by PokerStars, and became their Brand Ambassador in 2017. As such, he was featured in PokerStars ad campaigns and promotional content, alongside Usain Bolt.[97] As of September 2020, he has earned $47,828 in live tournament cashes.[98]
Hart is a practicing Christian and has talked openly about his faith.[99]
Injuries
On September 1, 2019, Hart was a passenger in a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda that went off Mulholland Highway and rolled down an embankment near Calabasas, California. He and the driver reportedly suffered "major back injuries" and were taken to separate hospitals.[100] Hart was released from the hospital 10 days later, and continued recovery at a rehabilitation facility.[101]
On August 23, 2023, Hart ran a 40-yard race with former National Football League running back Stevan Ridley, and tore his lower abductors on his abdomen. He required a wheelchair as part of his recovery and said afterward he is the "dumbest man alive" and "the age 40 is real", recommending no one attempt to race like he did.[102]
Legal issue
On April 14, 2013, Hart was charged on suspicion of drunk driving after his vehicle nearly collided with a tanker truck on a Southern California freeway. He failed a field sobriety test and was booked for misdemeanor driving under the influence.[103] On August 5, he was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading no contest to one count of driving under the influence of alcohol.[104]
Height
Kevin Hart's height has been a subject of public curiosity and varying reports, with sources listing him anywhere between 5'2" and 5'5". In an April 2024 interview on 60 Minutes, Hart clarified his actual height, stating, "I'm 5-foot-5, like with a shoe on, like a sneaker. Now, if I put a boot on, I can get to 5'5" and a half."[105] This clarification came after discrepancies in media reports, such as GQ listing him at 5'5" and the Los Angeles Times at 5'4".[106] Hart often incorporates humor about his stature into his stand-up routines.
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