Kevin Hart is one of the most successful and popular comedians in the world, with a net worth of $450 million as of 2023.
He is also an actor, producer, and entrepreneur who has starred in numerous hit movies and TV shows, as well as creating his own media company, Hartbeat.
In this article, we will explore Kevin Hart’s biography, career, achievements, net worth, and personal life.
Kevin Hart’s Biography
Early Life
Kevin Hart was born in Philadelphia on July 6, 1979. His single mother, Nancy Hart, an ONI systems analyst, reared him. His father, Henry Witherspoon, was a cocaine addict who went to prison often. Robert is Hart’s elder brother.
Hart used comedy to cope with his rough upbringing. Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby, and Chris Rock influenced him. After George Washington High School, he attended Community College of Philadelphia.
Education
Hart dropped out of college after two years to pursue a career in comedy. He moved to New York City and began performing at various comedy clubs under the stage name Lil Kev. However, he did not receive much positive feedback from the audience and was often booed off the stage.
Hart did not give up on his dream and decided to move to Los Angeles in 2002. He changed his style of comedy and started using his own life experiences as material. He also participated in several comedy competitions and festivals, such as the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival.
Career
Hart’s career breakthrough came in 2004 when he released his first stand-up album, I’m a Grown Little Man. The album was well-received by critics and fans alike and established Hart as a rising star in the comedy scene. He followed up with two more successful albums, Seriously Funny (2010) and Laugh at My Pain (2011).
Hart also ventured into acting and appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), Scary Movie 3 (2003), Soul Plane (2004), Think Like a Man (2012), Ride Along (2014), Central Intelligence (2016), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), The Secret Life of Pets (2016), and Night School (2018). He also voiced Snowball in The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) and Captain Underpants in Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017).
In addition to his comedy and acting career, Hart also created his own production company, Hartbeat Productions, in 2009. The company produces movies, TV shows, and digital content featuring Hart and other comedians. Some of the projects produced by Hartbeat include Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013-2016), and Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016), Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History (2019), and Die Hart (2020).
Hart also launched his own streaming service, Laugh Out Loud Network, in 2017. The service features original comedy content from Hart and other comedians, as well as live shows, podcasts, and documentaries.
Awards and Achievements
Hart has won several awards and accolades for his comedy and acting work. Some of them include:
- BET Award for Best Actor in 2012
- NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series in 2014
- MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance in 2015
- People’s Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie Actor in 2017
- Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor in 2018
- Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 2019
Hart has also been ranked among the highest-paid comedians in the world by Forbes magazine. In 2023, he earned $59 million from touring, movies, merchandise, endorsements, and more.
Kevin Hart’s Net Worth
Salary per Episode
Hart’s salary per episode varies depending on the project he is working on. For example, he reportedly earned $500,000 per episode for his role in Real Husbands of Hollywood. He also earned $10 million for hosting the Oscars in 2023 but later stepped down from the job due to controversy over his past homophobic tweets.
Earnings Overview
Hart’s earnings overview is based on his various sources of income, such as stand-up comedy tours, movies, TV shows, production companies, streaming services, endorsements, and investments.
According to Forbes, Hart made $90 million from touring alone between August 2015 and August 2016. His most successful tour was the What Now? Tour from 2015 to 2016, which grossed over $100 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing comedy tour of all time.
Hart also makes a lot of money from his movies, both as an actor and a producer. Some of his highest-grossing movies include Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ($962 million), Jumanji: The Next Level ($800 million), Central Intelligence ($217 million), and Ride Along 2 ($124 million).
Hart’s production company, Hartbeat Productions, also generates revenue from producing movies, TV shows, and digital content. Some of the projects produced by Hartbeat include Night School ($103 million), Kevin Hart: What Now? ($23 million), and Die Hart (N/A).
Hart’s streaming service, Laugh Out Loud Network, also contributes to his net worth. The service has over 100 million subscribers and offers original comedy content from Hart and other comedians, as well as live shows, podcasts, and documentaries.
Hart also earns money from endorsements and branding deals with various companies, such as Nike, Tommy John, Chase, Mountain Dew, Hyundai, and SiriusXM. He also has his own line of sneakers, called Hustle Hart, which he launched in collaboration with Nike in 2016.
Hart also invests his money in various ventures, such as Muzik headphones, Rally Health, Fabletics, and Hungry. He also owns several properties, including a $20 million mansion in Calabasas, California.
Investments
Hart’s net worth is estimated to be around $450 million as of 2023. He also owns an 85% stake in Hartbeat Productions, which has a valuation of $650 million.
Personal Life
Relationship and Family
Hart has been married twice. His first marriage was to Torrei Hart, a fellow comedian and actress. They got married in 2003 and had two children together: a daughter named Heaven (born in 2005) and a son named Hendrix (born in 2007). However, they divorced in 2011 due to irreconcilable differences.
Hart’s second marriage was to Eniko Parrish, a model and actress. They got married in 2016 and have two children together: a son named Kenzo (born in 2017) and a daughter named Kaori (born in 2020).
Hart has also been involved in several controversies regarding his personal life. In 2017, he admitted to cheating on his pregnant wife with another woman and apologized publicly for his mistake. In 2019, he was involved in a serious car accident that left him with major back injuries and required surgery. He recovered from the accident and returned to work in 2020.
Hobbies and Interests
Hart is passionate about fitness and health. He often works out at the gym and runs marathons. He also promotes healthy living through his partnership with Rally Health, a digital health platform that offers personalized health advice and rewards.
Hart is also a fan of sports and supports various teams, such as the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB). He also plays poker and chess for fun.
Hart is also a philanthropist who supports various causes and charities, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the United Negro College Fund, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the Help From The Hart Charity. He also donated $25,000 to the victims of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.