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Kevin Hart
KH1 2018.png
Hart in 2018
Birth name Kevin Darnell Hart
Born (1979-07-06) July 6, 1979 (age 45)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • film
  • television
Education Community College of Philadelphia
Years active 2001–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Spouse
Torrei Skipper
(m. 2003; div. 2011)
Eniko Parrish
(m. 2016)
Children 4

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).

He has since had roles 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), Grudge Match (2013), Ride Along (2014) About Last Night (2014), Get Hard (2015), Central Intelligence (2016), The Secret Life of Pets film franchise (2016–2019), Ride Along 2 (2016), Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017), the Jumanji film franchise (2017–present), and Night School (2018). He also created and starred as a fictionalized version of himself in Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013–2016). In 2015, Time magazine named him on its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2017, he launched the Laugh Out Loud Network, a subscription video streaming service in partnership with Lionsgate.

Early life

Kevin Darnell Hart was born in Philadelphia on July 6, 1979, the son of Nancy (died 2007) and Henry Hart. He has an older brother named Robert. 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. He would also later talk about his mother in his stand-up routine, portraying her as a loving yet intimidating woman.

After graduating from George Washington High School, Hart briefly attended the Community College of Philadelphia before dropping out and moving to New York City. He then moved to Brockton, Massachusetts, and found work as a shoe salesman.

Career

Stand-up

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. His career suffered a slow start and he was booed offstage several times, once even having a piece of chicken thrown at him. After those initial unsuccessful shows, he began entering comedy competitions throughout Massachusetts, with audience receptions eventually improving. 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."

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. Hart grossed over $15 million from "Laugh at My Pain", making it one of the year's top-selling comedy tours. 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. Most overseas fans of Hart discovered him on YouTube, as well.

On April 9, 2015, Hart embarked on a comedy world tour titled the What Now? Tour at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, which concluded on August 7, 2016, at the Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, Georgia. On July 16, 2015, Universal Pictures announced that Kevin Hart: What Now?, a stand-up comedy film featuring a performance of Hart's What Now? Tour, would be theatrically released in the United States on October 14, 2016. The show was filmed live on August 30, 2015, in front of 53,000 people, at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.

Film and television roles

Charles M Robinson Director with Kevin Hart
Hart and Charles M. Robinson in October 2009

Hart had a guest appearance in the 2002 sitcom, Undeclared. He made his film debut in the 2002 film Paper Soldiers. Hart then had other films roles such as the Scary Movie franchise, Soul Plane, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Death at a Funeral and Little Fockers. He turned down a role in the 2008 film Tropic Thunder because the character is gay, citing his own "insecurities".

He played Doug in the film The Five-Year Engagement (2012) and appeared in Think Like a Man which was a box office success. He also appeared in the sequel. He had a cameo as himself in This Is the End. In 2013, Hart played a boxing promoter in Grudge Match and appeared in Exit Strategy as Mannequin Head Man. He also appeared in 35 and Ticking.

In 2014, Hart starred as Ben in Ride Along, opposite Ice Cube. The film received generally negative reviews from critics, but was a major box office success. Hart returned in the sequel, Ride Along 2, which was released in 2016.

In 2013, Hart co-created Real Husbands of Hollywood with Chris Spencer. 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. 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.

Kevin Hart 2014 (cropped 2)
Hart in 2014

In 2015, Hart starred in the films Get Hard with Will Ferrell and The Wedding Ringer. In 2016, he starred in the movies Central Intelligence, with Dwayne Johnson and the animated The Secret Life of Pets. In 2017, he starred in the movies Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (in a voice role), and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle with Jack Black, Karen Gillan, and reteaming again with Johnson. He earned an estimated $32.5 million in 2017.

In 2018, he produced his first film under his production company HartBeat Productions, Night School. 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.

In 2019, Hart's film The Upside, his first headlining role in a drama, was theatrically released. It also starred Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman. Hart also reprised his role of Snowball in the sequel The Secret Life of Pets 2, and Franklin Finbar in Jumanji: The Next Level.

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. It premiered on Netflix on June 18, 2021.

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.

Hart signed a first look deal with Netflix in January 2021. He later played Arnold Drummond in the Diff'rent Strokes portion of the third edition of Live in Front of a Studio Audience.

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.

In January 2024, Hart starred (alongside Úrsula Corberó from Money Heist and Vincent D'Onofrio) as a master thief in the Netflix comedy heist film Lift, directed by F. Gary Gray. A month later, he competed in season eleven of The Masked Singer as "Book". He purposely unmasked himself in the season eleven premiere as part of a prank on host Nick Cannon.

Upcoming projects

In 2019, Hart signed on to star in and produce Monopoly. As of June 2023, Monopoly is still in development.

Laugh Out Loud Productions

In 2017, Hart founded Laugh Out Loud (LOL), a global media and production company to provide opportunities for top comedic talent of all ethnicities worldwide.  Originally partnered with Lionsgate, 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!

Hart has aggressively expanded LOL's reach since its founding, securing partnership deals with PlutoTV, Roku, Snap, Facebook, Peacock, and YouTube. In 2020, he extended his company's agreement with Sirius XM. LOL has won numerous accolades, including nominations and awards from the Producers Guild of America, Critics' Choice Movie Awards, Realscreen, Streamy, and Webby.

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, and has worked with brand partners such as AT&T, Headspace, Lyft, Old Spice, P&G, and Viacom.

LOL and production company Hartbeat Productions merged in April 2022, creating Hartbeat, which includes Hartbeat Studios, Hartbeat Media and Hartbeat Pulse.

Hosting

In addition to acting, Hart has also hosted various ceremonies. Hart first hosted the 2011 BET Awards. Hart then hosted the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, after his longtime friend Judd Apatow, the director who gave him his first big on-screen break in the TV series Undeclared, recommended him for the position. Hart hoped this would project him into a side career as an emcee, stating, "Hopefully after MTV, of course we're talking Emmys, Oscars, whatever." From 2013–2015, he hosted three episodes of Saturday Night Live. In 2015, Hart hosted the Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber. In 2016, Hart co-hosted the 2016 MTV Movie Awards with Dwayne Johnson.

In September 2018 Hart has hosted HQ Trivia with Scott Rogowsky and gave away $100,000 to one person.

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. On January 8, Hart confirmed that he would not be hosting the Academy Awards. 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. 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.

In 2024, Hart hosted the Netflix special The Roast of Tom Brady.

Music

As Chocolate Droppa, his alias, he signed to Motown Records and released Kevin Hart: What Now? (The Mixtape Presents Chocolate Droppa), the soundtrack to his stand-up film of the same name. He released the singles "Push It On Me" featuring Trey Songz and "Baller Alert" with Migos & T.I.

Modeling

In 2017, Hart and Tommy John appeared in an underwear commercial for Macy's.

Hart House

In August 2022, Hart debuted a vegan restaurant, Hart House, to compete with fast-food chains by "offering flavorful plant-based alternatives". 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. 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.

Hart opened a second location in Monrovia, California, in November 2022, a third on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California, in May 2023, and a fourth location near the University of Southern California campus in June 2023. All locations closed down in September 2024.

Influences

Hart has cited George Carlin, Dave Chappelle, Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Patrice O'Neal, Richard Pryor, Keith Robinson, Chris Rock, and Jerry Seinfeld as his influences.

Personal life

Hart married Torrei Skipper in 2003, and they filed for divorce in 2010 after citing irreconcilable differences. Hart requested joint custody of their two children, a daughter born in 2005 and a son born in 2007. The divorce was finalized in November 2011.

On August 18, 2014, Hart became engaged to Eniko Parrish. They were married near Santa Barbara, California, on August 13, 2016. Their first child was born on November 21, 2017. They had a second child together, a daughter born on September 29, 2020.

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. As of September 2020, he has earned $47,828 in live tournament cashes.

Hart is a practicing Christian and has talked openly about his faith.

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. Hart was released from the hospital 10 days later, and continued recovery at a rehabilitation facility.

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.

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." This clarification came after discrepancies in media reports, such as GQ listing him at 5'5" and the Los Angeles Times at 5'4". Hart often incorporates humor about his stature into his stand-up routines.

Work

Discography

  • Kevin Hart: What Now? (The Mixtape Presents Chocolate Droppa) (2016)

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Paper Soldiers Shawn
2003 Scary Movie 3 CJ
Death of a Dynasty Various Roles
2004 Along Came Polly Vic
Soul Plane Nashawn Wade
2005 The 40-Year-Old Virgin Smart Tech Customer
In the Mix Busta
2006 Scary Movie 4 CJ
The Last Stand F Stop/G Spot
2007 Epic Movie Silas
2008 Fool's Gold Bigg Bunny
Drillbit Taylor Pawn Shop Dealer
Superhero Movie Trey
Meet Dave Number 17
Extreme Movie Barry
2009 Not Easily Broken Tree
2010 Death at a Funeral Brian
Little Fockers Nurse Louis
Something Like a Business JoJo
2011 35 and Ticking Cleavon
Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain Himself Stand-up film
Let Go Kris Styles
2012 Think Like a Man Cedric
Exit Strategy Mannequin Head Man
The Five-Year Engagement Doug
2013 This Is the End Himself
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain Himself Stand-up film
Grudge Match Dante Slate Jr.
2014 Ride Along Ben Barber
About Last Night Bernie
Think Like a Man Too Cedric
School Dance OG Pretty Lil' Thug
Top Five Charles
2015 The Wedding Ringer Jimmy Callahan/Bic Mitchum
Get Hard Darnell Lewis
2016 Ride Along 2 Ben Barber
Central Intelligence Calvin Joyner
The Secret Life of Pets Snowball (voice)
Kevin Hart: What Now? Himself Stand-up film
2017 Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie George Beard (voice)
The Upside Dell Scott
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Franklin "Mouse" Finbar
2018 Night School Teddy Walker
2019 The Secret Life of Pets 2 Snowball (voice)
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw Air Marshall Dinkley
Jumanji: The Next Level Franklin "Mouse" Finbar
2021 Fatherhood Matt Logelin
The One and Only Dick Gregory Himself
2022 The Man from Toronto Teddy
DC League of Super-Pets Ace the Bat-Hound (voice)
Me Time Sonny
2023 Back on the Strip Uptight Dad
2024 Lift Cyrus Whittaker
Borderlands Roland

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2002–2003 Undeclared Luke 3 episodes
2004 The Big House Kevin 6 episodes
Comedy Central Presents Himself Episode: "Kevin Hart"
2005 Barbershop James Ricky 3 episodes
2005–2006 Jake in Progress Nugget Dawson 2 episodes
2006 Help Me Help You Kevin Episode: "Raging Bill"
Love, Inc. James 2 episodes
2007 All of Us Greg Episode: "The B-R-E-A-K-U-P"
Wild 'n Out Various 21 episodes
2009 Party Down Dro Grizzle Episode: "Taylor Stiltskin Sweet Sixteen"
Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire Zezelryck 6 episodes
Kevin Hart: I'm a Grown Little Man Himself Stand-up special
2010 Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny Himself Stand-up special
2011–2012 Modern Family Andre 2 episodes
2011 BET Awards 2011 Himself (host) TV special
2012 Workaholics Kevin Episode: "To Kill a Chupacabraj"
2012 MTV Video Music Awards Himself (host) TV special
2013–2016; 2022 Real Husbands of Hollywood Himself 60 episodes; also co-creator, writer, executive producer
2013 Second Generation Wayans Himself Episode: "The Arrival"
2013–2017 Saturday Night Live Himself (host) 3 episodes
2015 Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber Himself (host) TV special
2016 2016 MTV Movie Awards Himself (co-host) TV special
2018 TKO: Total Knock Out Himself (host) 10 episodes; also executive producer
2019 Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History Himself TV special; also executive producer
Kevin Hart: Don't F**k This Up Himself 6 episodes; also executive producer
Kevin Hart: Irresponsible Himself Stand-up special
2020–present Die Hart Himself / Doug Eubanks 25 episodes; also executive producer
2020 Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given Himself Stand-up special
2021 Dave Himself Episode: "Dave"; also executive producer
True Story Kid 7 episodes; also executive producer
Live in Front of a Studio Audience Arnold Drummond Episode: "Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life"
2021–present Hart to Heart Himself (host) Also creator and executive producer
2023 Kevin Hart: Reality Check Himself Stand-up special
2024 The Roast of Tom Brady Himself (host) Main host
Abbott Elementary Himself Episode: "Mother's Day"
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist Chicken Man Miniseries, also executive producer
Secret Level Buddibot (voice) Episode: "Playtime: Fullfillment"

Music videos

Year Song Artist Role
2004 "Lean Back" Terror Squad featuring Fat Joe and Remy Ma Himself
2007 "Get Buck in Here" DJ Felli Fel featuring Diddy, Akon, Ludacris and Lil Jon Himself
2011 "Booty Wurk (One Cheek at a Time)" T-Pain Himself
2012 "Think Like a Man" Jennifer Hudson and Ne-Yo featuring Rick Ross Himself
2014 "Can You Do This" Aloe Blacc Jimmy Callahan
2016 "Push it On Me" Trey Songz Chocolate Droppa
2017 "Jumanji Jumanji" Nick Jonas and Jack Black Himself
2018 "Kevin's Heart" J. Cole Himself
2019 "Earth" Lil Dicky Kanye West
2024 "AMP Freshman Cypher" Kai Cenat Himself

Tours

  • What Now? Tour (2015–2016)
  • Irresponsible Tour (2017–2018)
  • Reality Check Tour (2022–2023)
  • Acting My Age (2024–present)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2004 Teen Choice Awards Choice Breakout TV Star – Male The Big House Nominated
2005 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Comedy Award Platinum Mic Viewers' Choice
2012 BET Awards Best Actor Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain Won
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie: Male Scene Stealer Think Like a Man Nominated
Choice Movie Hissy Fit
2014 BET Awards Best Actor Ride Along, Real Husbands of Hollywood, About Last Night
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Real Husbands of Hollywood Won
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Entertainer of the Year
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Funny Star Grudge Match
MTV Movie Awards Best Comedic Performance Ride Along Nominated
Best On-Screen Duo (with Ice Cube)
Acalpulco Black Film Festival Artist of the Year Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, This Is the End, Grudge Match Won
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Reality Show Real Husbands of Hollywood Nominated
Choice Movie Actor: Comedy Ride Along Won
Choice Movie: Chemistry (with Ice Cube) Nominated
Choice Movie: Hissy Fit
Choice Comedian Won
2015 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Real Husbands of Hollywood Nominated
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
MTV Movie Awards Best Comedic Performance The Wedding Ringer
Comedic Genius Award Won
BET Awards Best Actor The Wedding Ringer, Think Like a Man Too, Real Husbands of Hollywood and Top Five Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Comedian
2016 Billboard Touring Awards Top Comedy Tour Won
People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedic Movie Actor The Wedding Ringer
Favorite Cable TV Comedy Real Husbands of Hollywood Nominated
Favorite Cable TV Actor Won
MTV Movie Awards Best Comedic Performance Ride Along 2 Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actor: Comedy
Choice Movie: Hissy Fit
Choice Comedian
Choice Twit
Choice Movie Actor: Summer Central Intelligence Won
2017 People's Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actor Nominated
Favorite Comedic Movie Actor Won
Favorite Cable TV Comedy Real Husbands of Hollywood Nominated
Favorite Cable TV Actor
Favorite Comedic Collaboration (shared with Conan O'Brien and Ice Cube) Conan
Favorite Animated Movie Voice The Secret Life of Pets
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Real Husbands of Hollywood
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – (Television or Film) The Secret Life of Pets
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie
Favorite Villain Won
Most Wanted Pet
Best Friends Forever (shared with Dwayne Johnson) Central Intelligence
Best Friends Forever (shared with Ice Cube) Ride Along 2 Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Comedian
2018 Grammy Awards Best Comedy Album Kevin Hart: What Now?
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Voice Performance Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actor Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
MTV Movie Awards Best On-Screen Team (shared with Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas)
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actor – Comedy
Choice Comedian
People's Choice Awards The Comedy Act of 2018 Won
2019 Teen Choice Awards Choice Comedy Movie Acto Night School Nominated
Choice Comedian
2020 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Movie Actor Jumanji: The Next Level
Favorite Male Voice from an Animated Movie The Secret Life of Pets 2
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program Kevin Hart: Don't ... This Up
2021 Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Die Hart
2022 Grammy Awards Best Comedy Album Zero ... Given
2023 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Die Hart 2: Die Harter Nominated
2024 The Streamer Awards Best Streamed Collab (shared with Kai Cenat and Druski) Sleepover Stream Won
2025 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Supporting Actor Borderlands Pending
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