Kevin Hart, born July 6, 1979, in Philadelphia, is an American comedian and actor who rose from performing stand-up in local clubs to becoming one of Hollywood’s highest-paid entertainers. His breakthrough films include Think Like a Man (2012) and Ride Along (2014), followed by successful roles in Central Intelligence and the Jumanji sequels. Hart founded HartBeat Productions and launched Laugh Out Loud Network in 2017, establishing himself as a multimedia entertainment mogul whose career encompasses additional ventures.
Comedy, for Kevin Darnell Hart, began as an escape from the challenging circumstances of his Philadelphia upbringing and evolved into a multimillion-dollar entertainment empire spanning stand-up, film, television, and business ventures. Born on July 6, 1979, Hart was raised by a single mother in a difficult family environment that would later influence his self-deprecating comedic style, which transforms personal struggles into relatable humor for audiences worldwide.
Comedy became Kevin Hart’s escape route from Philadelphia’s harsh realities, transforming personal pain into a multimillion-dollar entertainment empire.
After graduating high school, Hart began performing stand-up comedy in local Philadelphia clubs while working as a shoe salesman to support himself during his early career. His energetic performance style and willingness to mock his own shortcomings quickly gained attention in the comedy circuit, leading him to expand his performances to New York and Los Angeles venues where he won several local comedy competitions that established his reputation. His first performance at The Laff House under the stage name Lil Kev proved challenging when he was booed offstage and had a piece of chicken thrown at him.
Hart’s television debut came in 2000 with the short-lived series Undeclared, followed by his film debut in Paper Soldiers in 2002, though mainstream success remained elusive during these early projects. His breakthrough arrived with Think Like a Man in 2012 and Ride Along in 2014, both of which demonstrated his ability to carry major motion pictures and attract diverse audiences to theaters nationwide.
The comedian’s film portfolio expanded considerably with starring roles in Central Intelligence in 2016, the Jumanji sequels in 2017 and 2019, and voice acting work in The Secret Life of Pets franchise and Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie in 2017. These projects, combined with his record-breaking stand-up tours, positioned Hart among Forbes’ highest-paid comedians by the 2010s, earning recognition from MTV Movie & TV Awards and NAACP Image Awards.
Hart’s business acumen extends beyond entertainment through HartBeat Productions, his production company focused on comedy content, along with investments in media, fitness, and digital platforms that diversify his income streams. He launched the Laugh Out Loud Network in 2017, a subscription video streaming service that showcases comedy content from emerging and established performers. He has authored motivational books and a memoir, while maintaining active involvement in charitable initiatives supporting youth education programs across various communities.
Currently married to Eniko Parrish following his previous marriage to Torrei Hart, the comedian frequently incorporates family experiences into his comedy material while maintaining a strong social media presence. His co-production and starring role in Real Husbands of Hollywood in 2013 demonstrated his television production capabilities, while regular appearances on talk shows and award ceremonies as host have solidified his position as one of America’s most recognizable entertainers.
