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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 a famous American comedian and actor. He has been nominated for several awards, including four Primetime Emmy Awards, for his work.

Kevin Hart first became known after winning many stand-up comedy contests. He got his first big break when director Judd Apatow cast him in the TV show Undeclared in 2001. His comedy career grew even more with his first stand-up album, I'm a Grown Little Man (2009). He has since released four more popular comedy albums: Seriously Funny (2010), Laugh at My Pain (2011), Let Me Explain (2013), and What Now? (2016).

He has also starred in many movies. Some of his well-known films include Scary Movie 3 (2003), Soul Plane (2004), Little Fockers (2010), Think Like a Man (2012), Ride Along (2014), Central Intelligence (2016), and the Jumanji film series (2017–present). He also created and starred in Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013–2016), where he played a funny, made-up version of himself. In 2015, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2017, he started the Laugh Out Loud Network, a streaming service for comedy videos.

Early Life and Beginnings

Kevin Darnell Hart was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 6, 1979. His mother, Nancy, raised him and his older brother, Robert, in a single-parent household. His mother worked as a systems analyst at the University of Pennsylvania. Kevin often talks about his mom in his comedy shows, describing her as a loving but strict woman.

After finishing George Washington High School, Kevin briefly went to the Community College of Philadelphia. He then left college and moved to New York City. Later, he moved to Brockton, Massachusetts, where he worked as a shoe salesman.

Kevin Hart's Comedy Career

Stand-up Comedy Journey

Kevin Hart's first stand-up show was at The Laff House in Philadelphia. He performed under the name "Lil Kev," but it didn't go well. His early career was tough, and audiences sometimes booed him. Once, someone even threw a piece of chicken at him!

After these difficult shows, he started entering comedy competitions in Massachusetts. Slowly, audiences began to enjoy his performances more. It took time for Kevin to find his own unique comedy style. Instead of trying to copy other comedians, he started talking about his own life and feelings. He once said that his comedy is like "an open book" because he shares so much about himself.

Kevin's comedy tours became very popular. His first big tour was I'm a Grown Little Man in 2009. This was followed by Seriously Funny in 2010, Laugh at My Pain in 2011, and Let Me Explain in 2013. The last two were also released as movies in theaters. His "Laugh at My Pain" tour earned over $15 million, making it one of the most successful comedy tours that year.

Kevin also has a game app called "Little Jumpman" available on iTunes. His Facebook page, Twitter account, and YouTube channel are all linked to this app. Many of his fans outside the U.S. first discovered him on YouTube.

On April 9, 2015, Kevin started his "What Now? Tour" in San Antonio. This world tour ended on August 7, 2016. Universal Pictures later announced that a stand-up comedy film, Kevin Hart: What Now?, would be released in theaters. The film showed a performance from his "What Now? Tour." 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

Kevin Hart made a guest appearance in the TV show Undeclared in 2002. He then made his movie debut in Paper Soldiers that same year. He went on to appear in films like the Scary Movie series, Soul Plane, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Death at a Funeral, and Little Fockers.

In 2012, he played Doug in The Five-Year Engagement and was in Think Like a Man, which was a big success at the box office. He also appeared in the sequel, Think Like a Man Too. In 2013, Kevin played a boxing promoter in Grudge Match and had roles in Exit Strategy and 35 and Ticking. He also had a small role as himself in This Is the End.

In 2014, Kevin starred as Ben in Ride Along with Ice Cube. Even though critics didn't love the movie, it was a huge hit at the box office. Kevin returned for the sequel, Ride Along 2, which came out in 2016.

In 2013, Kevin Hart helped create Real Husbands of Hollywood with Chris Spencer. The show features Kevin and other married celebrities playing funny, made-up versions of themselves. The show is filmed like a reality TV series. Kevin's character often tries to become more famous in Hollywood, but his plans usually go wrong in funny ways.

Kevin Hart 2014 (cropped 2)
Hart in 2014

In 2015, Kevin starred in Get Hard with Will Ferrell and The Wedding Ringer. In 2016, he appeared in Central Intelligence with Dwayne Johnson and voiced a character in the animated movie The Secret Life of Pets. In 2017, he voiced a character in Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie and starred in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle with Jack Black, Karen Gillan, and Dwayne Johnson again. In 2017, he earned about $32.5 million.

In 2018, he produced his first movie, Night School, through his company, HartBeat Productions. In October 2018, his production company announced a deal with Nickelodeon. This means Hart and HartBeat Productions will create and produce live-action shows for kids on the network. Kevin also has a movie deal with Universal Studios.

In 2019, Kevin's movie The Upside was released. This was his first main role in a drama film, and it also starred Bryan Cranston and Nicole Kidman. He also returned to voice Snowball in The Secret Life of Pets 2 and played Franklin Finbar in Jumanji: The Next Level.

In 2021, Kevin starred in Fatherhood, a drama about a man who has to raise his daughter alone after his wife passes away. This movie premiered on Netflix on June 18, 2021.

In July 2020, his series Die Hart started on Quibi. In March 2023, Roku and Kevin's comedy company, Laugh Out Loud, released the second season of the series. Kevin not only starred in but also helped produce the second season.

Kevin signed a deal with Netflix in January 2021 to create more projects. In 2022, he starred with Mark Wahlberg in the comedy movie Me Time. The movie is about a dad who has a wild adventure with his friend during a rare free weekend.

In January 2024, Kevin starred as a master thief in the Netflix comedy heist film Lift. A month later, he appeared on The Masked Singer as "Book." He purposely unmasked himself as a prank on the host, Nick Cannon.

Future Projects

In 2019, Kevin Hart agreed to star in and produce a movie based on the game Monopoly. As of June 2023, the Monopoly movie is still being developed.

Laugh Out Loud Productions

In 2017, Kevin Hart started Laugh Out Loud (LOL). This is a global media and production company that helps new comedy talents from all backgrounds. Kevin became the main owner in 2019. LOL creates content for many platforms, including digital, audio, and live events. It has four main parts: LOL Network, LOL Studios, LOL Audio, and LOL X!

Kevin has worked hard to expand LOL's reach. He has made deals with companies like PlutoTV, Roku, Snap, Facebook, Peacock, and YouTube. In 2020, he also extended his company's agreement with Sirius XM. LOL has won many awards and nominations, including from the Producers Guild of America and the Webby.

LOL is known for shows like Cold As Balls, What the Fit, and Die Hart. It has had over 1 billion video views across its digital platforms. LOL and Kevin's other production company, Hartbeat Productions, joined together in April 2022 to form a new company called Hartbeat.

Hosting Gigs

Besides acting, Kevin Hart has also hosted many events. He first hosted the 2011 BET Awards. Then, he hosted the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards after his friend Judd Apatow suggested him. Kevin hoped this would lead to more hosting jobs, like the Emmys or Oscars. From 2013 to 2015, he hosted three episodes of Saturday Night Live. In 2015, Kevin hosted the Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber. In 2016, he co-hosted the 2016 MTV Movie Awards with Dwayne Johnson.

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

On December 4, 2018, Kevin was announced as the host of the 2019 Academy Awards. However, he decided not to host a few days later. On January 8, Kevin confirmed he would not be hosting. The ceremony ended up being held without a host that year.

In September 2020, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced that Kevin Hart would host their yearly telethon. This event raises money for people with muscular dystrophy. The two-hour telethon, called The MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon, was held on October 24, 2020, and was shown on social media platforms.

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

Music Career

Kevin Hart also has a music alias called Chocolate Droppa. Under this name, he signed with Motown Records. He released Kevin Hart: What Now? (The Mixtape Presents Chocolate Droppa), which was the soundtrack for his stand-up film. He released singles like "Push It On Me" with Trey Songz and "Baller Alert" with Migos & T.I.

Modeling

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

Hart House Restaurants

In August 2022, Kevin Hart opened a vegan restaurant called Hart House. He wanted it to compete with regular fast-food chains by offering tasty plant-based options. The first restaurant opened in Los Angeles, California. It had a simple menu of veggie burgers and "Chick'n" products. The food at Hart House is said to be free of cholesterol, antibiotics, hormones, artificial colors, and other unhealthy ingredients. This was inspired by Kevin's own healthy lifestyle.

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

Influences on His Comedy

Kevin Hart has said that many famous comedians have influenced his work. Some of these include George Carlin, Dave Chappelle, Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, and Jerry Seinfeld.

Kevin Hart's Personal Life

Kevin Hart married Torrei Skipper in 2003. They divorced in 2011, and Kevin asked for joint custody of their two children, a daughter born in 2005 and a son born in 2007.

On August 18, 2014, Kevin got engaged to Eniko Parrish. They were married on August 13, 2016, near Santa Barbara, California. They have two children together: a son born in 2017 and a daughter born in 2020.

Kevin is also a big poker player and has played in major tournaments like the World Series of Poker. He even became a Brand Ambassador for PokerStars in 2017, appearing in their ads with Usain Bolt.

Kevin Hart is a Christian and often talks about his faith.

Injuries

On September 1, 2019, Kevin Hart was a passenger in a car accident near Calabasas, California. The car went off the road and rolled down a hill. He and the driver had serious back injuries. Kevin was released from the hospital 10 days later and continued his recovery at a rehabilitation center.

On August 23, 2023, Kevin Hart raced against a former National Football League player, Stevan Ridley. During the race, Kevin tore muscles in his lower abdomen. He needed a wheelchair to recover and later joked that he was "the dumbest man alive" and that "the age 40 is real," advising others not to race like he did.

Height

Kevin Hart's height has often been a topic of discussion. Different sources have listed him between 5'2" and 5'5". In an interview in April 2024, Kevin clarified his actual height. He said, "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." Kevin often uses humor about his height in his stand-up comedy shows.

Work

Discography

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

Filmography

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 Roles

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

Comedy 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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kevin Hart para niños

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