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Kevin Hart
Hart in March 2014
Birth nameKevin Darnell Hart
Born (1979-07-06) July 6, 1979 (age 45)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
MediumStand-up, film, television
Years active2001–present
GenresObservational comedy, black humor, surreal humor, satire, self-deprecation
Subject(s)African-American culture, American politics, current events, everyday life, human sexuality, marriage, parenting, pop culture, race relations, racism, self-deprecation
Spouse
Torrei Hart
​
​
(m. 2003; div. 2011)​

Eniko Parrish
​
(m. 2016)​
Children2
Websitekevinhartnation.com

Kevin Darnell Hart[1] (born July 6, 1979)[2] is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2001 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for a recurring role on the TV series Undeclared. The series lasted only one season, but he soon landed other roles in movies like Paper Soldiers (2002), Scary Movie 3 (2003), Soul Plane (2004), In the Mix (2005), and Little Fockers (2010).

Hart's comedic reputation continued to grow with the release of his first stand-up album I'm a Grown Little Man (2008), and performances in the films Think Like a Man (2012), Grudge Match (2013), Ride Along (2014) and its sequel Ride Along 2 (2016), About Last Night (2014), Get Hard (2015), Central Intelligence (2015), and The Secret Life of Pets (2016). He also released four more comedy albums, Seriously Funny in 2010, Laugh at My Pain in 2011, Let Me Explain in 2013, and What Now? in 2016. In 2015, Time Magazine named Hart one of the 100 most influential people in the world on the annual Time 100 list.[3] He currently stars as himself in the lead role of Real Husbands of Hollywood.[4]

Early life

Kevin Hart was born on July 6, 1979 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2] He was raised by his single mother, Nancy Hart,[2] and has one brother, Robert.[1] His father, Henry Witherspoon,[5] a cocaine addict, was in and out of jail throughout most of Kevin's childhood, and Kevin used humor as a way to cope with his troubled family life.[2]

After graduating from high school, Hart briefly attended the Community College of Philadelphia and moved to New York City.[6][7][8][9] He then moved to Brockton, Massachusetts, and found work as a shoe salesman.[9] He began pursuing a career in stand-up comedy after performing at an amateur night at a club in Philadelphia.[10]

Career

Stand-up

Hart's first gig was at The Laff House in Philadelphia under the name of Lil Kev, which did not go well.[11] His career suffered a slow start, as he was booed off stage several times, once even having a piece of chicken thrown at him.[12] After those initial unsuccessful shows, Hart began entering comedy competitions throughout Massachusetts, and his fortunes soon turned for the better.[9]

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. "Because of what I do, it has to be an open book," he has said. "But right now this is a book that is being written."[12]

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 latter two of which were also released as features in movie theaters.[11] Hart grossed over $15 million from "Laugh at My Pain", making it one of the year's top-selling comedy tours.[citation needed] Hart also has a game available through iTunes called "Little Jumpman." His Facebook page, Twitter account, and YouTube channel are all connected to and accessible through this app.[10] Most overseas fans of Hart discovered him on YouTube, as well.[13]

It was announced in October 2013 that ABC will be making a 30-minute pilot based on Hart's stand-up act. Hart does not plan to star in the sitcom, but does plan on having a recurring role.[14]

On April 9, 2015, Hart embarked 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.

Film and television roles

Hart came to prominence from his guest appearance in Undeclared. He made his film debut in the film Paper Soldiers. Hart then gained further recognition from his other films such as the Scary Movie franchise, Soul Plane, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Death at a Funeral, and Little Fockers.

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.[15] The film received generally negative reviews from critics, but was a major box office success.[16][17] Hart returned in the sequel, Ride Along 2, which was released on January 15, 2016.[18][19]

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 didn't return for the second season due to his music career, though Hart has stated that the door is open for Thicke to return.[20] The series is intentionally filmed in a style similar to Bravo's The Real Housewives. Episodes often hinge on the "real" Kevin Hart's desperately unsuccessful attempts to climb Hollywood's celebrity social ladder (which always backfire in humiliating ways), and the character's barely-hidden jealousy 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.[21] Also in 2015, Hart starred in the films Get Hard with Will Ferrell and The Wedding Ringer.

In addition to acting, Hart has also hosted various ceremonies. Hart first hosted the 2011 BET Awards.[22] Hart then hosted the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.[23] His longtime friend Judd Apatow, the director who gave him his first big on-screen break in the TV series Undeclared, was the one who recommended him for the gig.[24] Hart hopes that this will project him further into a side career as an emcee, stating, "Hopefully after MTV, of course we're talking Emmys, Oscars, whatever."[11] He has hosted two episodes of Saturday Night Live.[25][26] In 2015, Hart hosted the Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber.[27] As of October 2016, Hart is in talks to portray Santa Claus in Dashing Through the Snow, a planned 2017 Disney Christmas-themed film.[28][29]

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.[30] He released the singles "Push It On Me" featuring Trey Songz and "Baller Alert" with Migos & T.I.[31]

Personal life

Kevin and Torrei Hart filed for divorce in February 2010, citing irreconcilable differences. Hart requested joint custody[32] of their two children, daughter Heaven (19) and son Hendrix (16).[33] The divorce was finalized in November 2011.[34]

Hart's relationship with his father improved after the latter recovered from his addiction. Hart said, "My dad said I was supposed to be on drugs. I was like, 'Dad, shut up,' but then I thought about it, and it was stupid, but it made sense. He was saying that basically he was my example to never go down that road."[11]

Hart also talks about his mother in his stand-up routine, portraying her as a loving, yet intimidating woman. She died from cancer in 2007.[11][35]

On August 18, 2014, Hart proposed to Eniko Parrish.[36] They married on August 13, 2016 near Santa Barbara, California.[37] On May 14, 2017, Hart and Parrish announced that they were expecting their first child, a boy, together.[38]

Hart was arrested on April 14, 2013 on suspicion of drunk driving after his black Mercedes nearly collided with a tanker truck on a Southern California freeway. Hart failed a field sobriety test and was booked for misdemeanor DUI.[39]

On August 5, 2013, Hart was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading no contest to one count of driving under the influence of alcohol.[40]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
2002 Paper Soldiers Shawn
2003 Scary Movie 3 CJ
Death of a Dynasty P-Diddy / Cop 1 / Dance Coach / Hyper Rapper / H. Lector
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
Superhero Movie Trey
Extreme Movie Barry
Meet Dave Number 17
Drillbit Taylor Pawn Shop Dealer
2009 Not Easily Broken Tree
Kevin Hart: I'm a Grown Little Man Himself Stand-up film
2010 Something Like a Business JoJo
Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny Himself Stand-up film
Death at a Funeral Brian
Little Fockers Nurse Louis
2011 35 and Ticking Cleavon
Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain Himself Stand-up film
Let Go Kris Styles
2012 The Five-Year Engagement Doug
Think Like a Man Cedric
Exit Strategy Mannequin Head Man
2013 This Is the End Kevin Hart
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 Uncredited role
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[41]
2017 Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie George Beard (voice)
The Upside Driss
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Franklin "Moose" Finbar Post-production

Television

Year Show Role Notes
2002–2003 Undeclared Luke 3 episodes
2002–2004 Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn Himself 8 episodes
2004 The Big House Kevin 5 episodes
Comedy Central Presents Himself Stand-up special
2005 Barbershop James Ricky 3 episodes
2005–2006 Jake In Progress Nugget Dawson 2 episodes
2006 Love, Inc. James 2 episodes
Help Me Help You Kevin Episode: "Raging Bill"
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
Cubed Security Guard Episode: "2.10"
2011–2012 Modern Family Andre 2 episodes
2011 BET Awards 2011 Host TV special
2012 Workaholics Kevin Episode: "To Kill a Chupacabraj"
2012 MTV Video Music Awards Host TV special
2013–present Real Husbands of Hollywood Himself Also co-creator, writer, executive producer
2013 Second Generation Wayans Himself Episode: "The Arrival"
2013–2015 Saturday Night Live Host 2 episodes
2015 Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber Host TV special
2016 Lip Sync Battle Himself Episode: "Kevin Hart vs Olivia Munn"
Top Gear Himself 1 episode
Blue Peter[42] Himself 1 episode

Music videos

Year Song Artist Role
2004 "Lean Back" Terror Squad featuring Fat Joe and Remy Ma Himself
2011 "Booty Wurk (One Cheek at a Time)" T-Pain Himself

Music

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2004 Teen Choice Award Choice Breakout TV Star – Male The Big House Nominated
2005 BET Comedy Award[citation needed] Platinum Mic Viewers' Choice Nominated
2012 BET Award Best Actor Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain Won
Teen Choice Award Choice Movie: Male Scene Stealer Think Like a Man Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice Movie Hissy Fit Think Like a Man Nominated
2014 BET Award Best Actor Ride Along, Real Husbands of Hollywood, About Last Night Nominated
NAACP Image Award Outstanding Comedy Series Real Husbands of Hollywood Won
NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Real Husbands of Hollywood Won
NAACP Image Award Entertainer of the Year Won
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award Favorite Funny Star Won
MTV Movie Award Best Comedic Performance Ride Along Nominated
MTV Movie Award Best On-Screen Duo (with Ice Cube) Ride Along Nominated
Acalpulco Black Film Festival Artist of the Year Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, This Is the End, Grudge Match Won
Teen Choice Award Choice TV: Reality Show Real Husbands of Hollywood Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice Movie Actor: Comedy Ride Along Won
Teen Choice Award Choice Movie: Chemistry (with Ice Cube) Ride Along Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice Movie: Hissy Fit Ride Along Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice Comedian Won
2015 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Comedy Series Real Husbands of Hollywood Nominated
NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Real Husbands of Hollywood Nominated
MTV Movie Award Best Comedic Performance The Wedding Ringer Nominated
MTV Movie Award Comedic Genius Award Won
BET Award] Best Actor The Wedding Ringer Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice Comedian Nominated
2016 Billboard Touring Awards Top Comedy Tour Won
People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedic Movie Actor The Wedding Ringer Won
Favorite Cable TV Actor Real Husbands of Hollywood Won
2017 Favorite Comedic Movie Actor Central Intelligence Won
Favorite Animated Movie Voice The Secret Life Of Pets as Snowball Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie Nominated
Favorite Villain Won
Most Wanted Pet Won
Best Friends Forever (shared with Dwayne Johnson) Central Intelligence Won
Best Friends Forever (shared with Ice Cube) Ride Along 2 Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b "Death: Nancy Hart, Student Registration". University of Pennsylvania Almanac. 53 (22). February 13, 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2015. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d "Kevin Hart Biography: Actor, Comedian (1979–)". Biography.com (FYI / A&E Networks. Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Kevin Hart: The World's 100 Most Influential People". Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  4. ^ Cummings, Jozen. "Career Breakdown: Kevin Hart's Long, Complicated, Hit-and-Miss-and-Hit-Again Path to Stardom". Grantland.com (ESPN) Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (August 30, 2012). "Kevin Hart Learns to Tell the Truth". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "Kevin Hart: Comically independent".
  7. ^ "Kevin Hart's Wife, Ex wife And Girlfriend: All You Need To Know". January 22, 2016.
  8. ^ "Kevin Hart returns to Community College of Philadelphia: "I don't got no student loans!"".
  9. ^ a b c Johnson, Keosha. "TheGrio's 100: Kevin Hart, Philly comedian sees the humor in life experiences". TheGrio.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b "About Kevin Hart". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d e Itzkoff, Dave (October 18, 2012). "Life Sends Lemons? Make Comedy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 14, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b Gomez, Luis (October 18, 2012). "Interview: Kevin Hart not shy about past flubs". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Claudia Puig (July 2, 2013). "Kevin Hart's 'Let Me Explain' is too heavy on the 'me'". USA Today. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  14. ^ Lacey Rose (October 7, 2013). "Kevin Hart Comedy Snapped Up by ABC". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  15. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (July 11, 2012). "'Ride Along' Detours To Universal As Kevin Hart And Ice Cube Vehicle". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  16. ^ "Ride Along". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  17. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for January 17-20, 2014". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  18. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (April 23, 2013). "Sequels On Tap For 'The Heat' And 'Ride Along'". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  19. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 13, 2014). "'Ride Along 2' to Bow on Martin Luther King Weekend 2016". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  20. ^ "Kevin Hart Explains Why Robin Thicke Left 'Real Husbands'". BlackAmericaWeb.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) (Archive link requires scrolldown.)
  21. ^ Berkshire, Geoff. "BET's 'Real Husbands of Hollywood' with Nick Cannon, 'Second Generation Wayans' get January premieres". zap2it. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  22. ^ Bark, Theo (June 8, 2011). "Patti LaBelle to Receive BET's Lifetime Achievement Award". TheBoombox.com (AOL). Retrieved June 20, 2011.
  23. ^ Montgomery, James (May 15, 2012). "2012 Video Music Awards To Take Over Staples Center Show will air live from Los Angeles on Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT". MTV News. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  24. ^ Weiner, Jonah (May 31, 2012). "VMA 2012 Host Kevin Hart Is Judd Apatow's Favorite Vertically Challenged Comic". Rolling Stone (Rolling Stone's Big Issue). Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  25. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 3, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Kevin Hart and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Up From Last New Episode". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  26. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (January 18, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' With Host Kevin Hart and Musical Guest Sia Flat With Last Original". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  27. ^ Zumberge, Marianne (March 5, 2015). "Comedy Central's Justin Bieber Roasters to Include Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart". Variety. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  28. ^ Kit, Borys (October 26, 2016). "Kevin Hart in Talks to Play Santa Claus in Disney's 'Dashing Through the Snow' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  29. ^ Coggan, Devan (October 26, 2016). "Kevin Hart to play Santa in Disney comedy Dashing Through the Snow". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  30. ^ "Stream Kevin 'Chocolate Droppa' Hart's 'What Now? (The Mixtape)'". Rap-Up.
  31. ^ Goddard, Kevin (September 30, 2016). "Kevin Hart signs to Motown records". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  32. ^ "Kevin Hart Divorce: Talks Split On 'The Rosie Show'". HuffingtonPost.com. January 20, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  33. ^ Sangweni, Yolanda (February 3, 2014). "Photo Fab: Kevin Hart Takes Daughter to First Father-Daughter Dance". Essence. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  34. ^ "Kevin Hart: I'm Divorced, And Still Rich!". TMZ.com. March 22, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  35. ^ Landrum, Jonathan (September 9, 2011). "Kevin Hart Pokes Fun at His Life in Standup Movie". Backstage. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  36. ^ "Kevin Hart Engaged to Eniko Parrish – Watch the Sweet Proposal". People. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  37. ^ Fisher, Kendall; Kitnick, Sara (August 15, 2016). "Kevin Hart Marries Eniko Parrish: Get the Details About Their Big Day". E! News. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  38. ^ http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/05/16/kevin-hart-and-eniko-parrish-expecting-baby-no-1/
  39. ^ "Drunken driving arrest a 'wake-up' call, comedian Kevin Hart says", CNN, April 15, 2013.
  40. ^ "Comedian Kevin Hart Pleads No Contest To DUI". CBS Los Angeles. August 5, 2013.
  41. ^ Molly Eichel. "Kevin Hart wows a crowded Lincoln Financial Field". Philly.com. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  42. ^ "Blue Peter - what time is it on TV? Episode 4915 Series 0 cast list and preview". Retrieved September 8, 2016.
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