Up Next
Kevin Hart
The box office and social king on everything from Kevmoji to thumb wrestling to Steph Curry — to his mom
Kevin Hart, 37, recently dethroned Jerry Seinfeld as the “cash king of comedy” — he made more than $87.5 million last year. You never know: Years ago, he was working as a shoe salesman in his hometown of Philadelphia and spent his spare time doing stand-up comedy in small clubs. Now? There’s most likely not one person in America who doesn’t know Hart for his stand-up, his several blockbuster films, and for starring in many infamous social media memes. In 2009, Hart released Kevin Hart: I’m a Grown Little Man, the first in a series of stand-up comedy films to come. Two others, Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny (2010) and Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011) followed and were met with enthusiasm and acclaim. His most recent, Kevin Hart: What Now?, hit theaters last week, was filmed in a sold-out Lincoln Financial Field, the home stadium of the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s 68,000 — for jokes. “The most amazing part [of touring] is realizing you have a fan base that’s worldwide,” said Hart. “A fan base that’s universal. Regardless of where you go … they’re showing up to laugh. You can travel the world, being yourself, and you can deliver comedy to all races, shapes and sizes. That’s a blessing, and it’s something I don’t take for granted.” Hart is currently in the middle of filming Ride Along 3 with co-star Ice Cube, and is also set to star in the remake of the 1995 classic, Jumanji. When Hart’s not touring, you can catch him Googling his height — or transforming into his rapping alter ego, Chocolate Droppa.
How does What Now differ from your other stand-up films?This one is the best one. They get better and better. I continue to grow as a stand-up comedian and the reason why I grow is because my life evolves. So the more that I do in life, the more that I’m able to be unique, be authentic. My life is an open book, so you’ve seen me go through ups and downs because I don’t mind them, and I think my fan base appreciates that. I’m at a different level of engaging now because I’m at a different level of honesty. My experiences are different, which ultimately has made me the comedian I am today.
What social media platform are you most active on?
All of them. If I have a platform, nine times out of 10 I’m using it. I love the fact that it gives me the ability to talk to my fan base. It gives me the ability to engage, to be available, to go above and beyond and make people understand that I’m real. I’m authentic. I’m not a false reality. Social media helps with that.
What question are you most asked most by fans?
‘How tall am I?’ And the answer to that is basically, I would say I’m probably like 6-2.
Which pro athlete would you never want to trade places with?
Steph Curry, because he can’t shoot.
What is the worst purchase you ever made?
I bought a diamond baby arm. It was something I got when rapping was hot and I wanted to fit in, so I got a baby arm and iced it out.
Who would you want to play you in your biopic?
Shaq.
What is the most embarrassing music you have to admit you listen to?
I’m a big Bieber fan. I don’t think that’s embarrassing, but I work out to Justin Bieber.
What’s your favorite/most ridiculous meme right now?
I don’t know, but nine times out of 10 they have my face on it. A lot of people meme me these days.
What is one thing you did in the past year that you never thought you’d do?
Poop.
Where does your courage come from?
My mother.
If you could go to dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
My mom.
What’s your current fashion obsession? Brand?
I’m a clothes whore, so I can’t just pick one particular thing. I go for it all.
What’s the last show you binged through?
What will you always be the champ of?
Thumb wrestling.
What’s your most frequently used emoji?
My emoji. Kevmoji.
What is the last thing you Googled? Why?
How tall I was.
What’s the last concert you went to? First?
Beyoncé. My first one? Beyoncé.
What’s the last stamp on your passport?
Australia.
What songs are at the top of your playlists these days?
Where do you get your serious news?
Serious news comes from MediaTakeOut, ’cause that stuff is real.
Where do you get your entertainment news?
Entertainment news? MediaTakeOut, ’cause that stuff is fake.
What keeps you Undefeated? What keeps you going in life?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s an amazing franchise. If they can do it, I can do it.