Kevin Darnell Hart born July 6, 1979 is a renowned American comedian and actor, known for his work in stand-up comedy and film. He has received numerous accolades, including multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Hart’s comedic journey began after winning several stand-up competitions, leading to his first major break when Judd Apatow cast him in a recurring role on the TV series Undeclared (2001). His comedy career continued to soar with the release of his debut stand-up album I’m a Grown Little Man (2009), followed by four more albums: Seriously Funny (2010), Laugh at My Pain (2011), Let Me Explain (2013), and What Now? (2016).
Kevin Hart Biography 2024
He has also starred in films such as Paper Soldiers (2002), Scary Movie 3 (2003), Soul Plane (2004), In the Mix (2005), Little Fockers (2010), Think Like a Man (2012), Ride Along (2014), Get Hard (2015), Central Intelligence (2016), Jumanji (2017–present), and Night School (2018). Hart created and starred in Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013–2016), a fictionalized version of himself. In 2015, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and in 2017, he launched the Laugh Out Loud Network, a video streaming service in partnership with Lionsgate.
Kevin Hart Biography Details
Birth name | Kevin Darnell Hart |
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Born | July 6, 1979 (age 45) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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Education | Community College of Philadelphia |
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Years active | 2001–present |
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Genres | - Observational comedy
- black comedy
- surreal humor
- insult comedy
- racial humor
- sarcasm
- satire
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Subject(s) | - African-American culture
- everyday life
- human sexuality
- marriage
- parenting
- pop culture
- race relations
- racism
- self-deprecation
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Spouse | |
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Children | 4 |
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Website | kevinhartnation.com |
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Kevin Hart Early Life
Kevin Darnell Hart was born in Philadelphia on July 6, 1979, to Nancy Hart (who passed away in 2007) and Henry Robert Witherspoon (who passed away in 2022). He has an older brother named Robert. Raised in a single-parent home, Hart’s mother worked as a systems analyst at the University of Pennsylvania. His father, a cocaine addict, was frequently in and out of jail, which led Hart to use humor as a coping mechanism. Over time, his relationship with his father improved as he recovered from his addiction. In his stand-up routines, Hart often spoke fondly of his mother, portraying her as both loving and tough.
During his teenage years, Hart aspired to be a basketball player and attended La Salle’s basketball camp, where he met future NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and activist Marc Lamont Hill. After graduating from George Washington High School, Hart briefly attended the Community College of Philadelphia but dropped out to move to New York City, where he worked as a shoe salesman.
Career Overview
Career Path | Details |
Comedy Start | Kevin Hart began his comedy career performing at the Laff House in Philadelphia under the name “Lil Kev,” which initially received poor reactions. |
Breakthrough | His first major breakthrough came after performing on Undeclared and his stand-up albums like Seriously Funny (2010). |
World Tours | Kevin’s comedy tours include What Now? (2015-2016), which was also filmed for a major stand-up film release. |
Film & TV Roles
Film and TV Projects | Description |
Ride Along Series | A comedic action film series starring Hart and Ice Cube, a major commercial success. |
Jumanji Franchise | A reimagined version of the Jumanji films, where Hart plays Franklin “Mouse” Finbar, a pivotal comedic role. |
Real Husbands of Hollywood | A comedy series where Hart stars as a fictionalized version of himself navigating Hollywood’s social scene. |
Comedy Style
Style Element | Facts |
Humor Approach | Kevin Hart’s comedy often focuses on self-deprecation, observational humor, and tales from his personal life. |
Audience Connection | He connects with audiences through storytelling, often drawing from his childhood and experiences as a father. |
Influences | Hart cites George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, and Dave Chappelle as major influences on his comedic style. |
Personal Life
Family Life | Details |
Parents | Kevin Hart was raised by his mother, Nancy Hart, after his father, Henry Robert Witherspoon, struggled with addiction. |
Marriages | Hart has been married twice, first to Torrei Skipper and later to Eniko Parrish, with whom he has children. |
Children | He has four children, including two with his second wife, Eniko Parrish. |
Business Ventures
Business Ventures | Description |
Laugh Out Loud Productions | A media and production company founded by Hart to promote comedy and provide opportunities for diverse talent. |
Hart House | A plant-based fast-food restaurant chain that aims to provide healthier alternatives to traditional fast food. |
Streaming & Media | Partnered with various platforms like Roku, Facebook, and YouTube for expanding LOL’s reach. |
Net Worth and Earnings
Source of Income | Points |
Comedy Tours | Kevin Hart has earned millions from his stand-up comedy tours, with Laugh at My Pain grossing over $15 million. |
Film Roles | Major roles in blockbuster movies like Jumanji and Ride Along significantly contributed to Hart’s net worth. |
Business Ventures | His media ventures, including Laugh Out Loud, and his stake in various businesses, have also added to his wealth. |
Hosting Career
Hosting Projects | Details |
MTV Video Music Awards | Kevin Hart hosted the 2012 MTV VMAs, solidifying his presence in mainstream television hosting. |
Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber | Hart hosted the roast of Justin Bieber in 2015, showcasing his comedic timing and ability to handle big events. |
Academy Awards | In 2019, Hart was briefly selected as the host of the Oscars, but later stepped down due to public controversy over past tweets. |
Social Media Influence
Platform | Details |
Twitter & Facebook | Kevin Hart uses social media to connect with fans, promote his projects, and share personal stories. |
YouTube | Hart’s comedy and behind-the-scenes content on YouTube have helped expand his global audience. |
Instagram | With millions of followers, Hart shares moments from his personal life and professional career. |
Health and Fitness
Fitness Focus | Information |
Vegan Diet | Hart adopted a vegan lifestyle, which inspired his launch of Hart House, a plant-based restaurant. |
Physical Fitness | He is known for his dedication to physical fitness, regularly sharing workout routines with his followers. |
Injury Recovery | Hart underwent extensive recovery after sustaining back injuries in a 2019 car accident, demonstrating resilience in his personal life. |
Legal Issues
Legal Incident | Details |
DUI Charge | In 2013, Hart was charged with driving under the influence after a near-miss with a tanker truck in California. |
Public Apology | Hart faced backlash for old homophobic tweets and publicly apologized, showcasing his efforts to grow and learn from past mistakes. |
Charity Work
Charity Initiative | Facts |
MDA Telethon | In 2020, Hart hosted the MDA Kids Telethon, raising awareness and funds for muscular dystrophy. |
Community Outreach | Hart is involved in various community initiatives, often focusing on youth development and educational outreach. |
Philanthropy | Through his HartBeat Productions, Hart has supported initiatives that promote diversity in entertainment and comedy. |
Upcoming Projects
Upcoming Film | Description |
Lift | A Netflix comedy heist film starring Hart as a master thief, set to release in 2024. |
Monopoly | Hart is set to star in a film adaptation of the classic board game Monopoly, which remains in development. |
Production Company Evolution
Company Name | Evolution |
Laugh Out Loud | Founded in 2017, it was later rebranded as Hartbeat Productions after merging with Hartbeat Studios and Hartbeat Media. |
Hartbeat Studios | A production division of Hart’s expanded media company, aiming to create diverse and engaging content. |
Media Partnerships | Hartbeat has partnered with streaming services like Roku and Facebook to distribute comedy specials and series. |
Kevin Hart Influence
Influence Area | Details |
Comedy Scene | Hart has reshaped stand-up comedy by blending personal stories with humor, earning him global recognition. |
Film Industry | His transition from stand-up to acting has made him a leading figure in Hollywood, with blockbuster roles in Jumanji and Ride Along. |
Digital Media | Through his company Laugh Out Loud, Hart has contributed to the growth of digital comedy, making content accessible worldwide. |
Kevin Hart Net Worth
Kevin Hart net worth is estimated to be around $450 million.
Kevin Hart Summary
Kevin Hart is not just a comedian but a multifaceted entertainer and businessman. From his early struggles in comedy to becoming one of the highest-paid entertainers globally, Hart’s career spans across film, television, stand-up comedy, and digital media. His ventures like Laugh Out Loud Productions and Hart House exemplify his business savvy and his commitment to creating opportunities for others. Additionally, his influence on social media and his role as a philanthropist highlight his dedication to both his craft and community. Kevin Hart’s journey is a testament to resilience, humor, and constant reinvention, securing his place as one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry.