On this day in comedy on July 6, 1979 Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer, Kevin Darnell Hart was born in Philadelphia, PA
Once he’d cut his comedy teeth on the Philly circuit, hart went West and frequented mainstream clubs on mainstream nights. He avoided doing the so-called ‘Black nights’ and being labeled a Black comedian only able to do Black crowds, as far as the clubs were concerned anyway. Being a different fish in a big pond paid off. Hart got his big break in comedy in 2000 when Judd Apatow cast him in a recurring role in Undeclared following of series of amateur comedy competition wins. He was off and running with parts in the films Paper Soldiers, Scary Movie 3, Soul Plane, and Little Fockers.
In 2008 he released his first stand-up album I’m a Grown Little Man. He cranked it up with performances in Think Like a Man, Grudge Match, Ride Along and About Last Night. He dropped two more comedy albums and starred as himself in Real Husbands of Hollywood (co-created with Chris Spencer).
Raised by his single mother, Hart used his ability to make people laugh to deal with the family problem of having a cocaine addict father he hardly ever saw. He got into professional comedy after performing at an amateur night at The Laff House in Philadelphia under the name of Lil Kev. After an early period of rough shows along with having chicken wings thrown at him, Hart entered comedy competitions throughout Massachusetts. That was the turning point.
Hart is truly a 21st Century comedian. He 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. Most overseas fans of Hart discovered him on YouTube.
Kevin Hart has hosted various ceremonies. He’s hosted the BET Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards (with the help of a referral by friend, Judd Apatow). Hart has hosted two episodes of Saturday Night Live and plans on doing more MC work. He has franchise films: Ride Along and Think Like and mounts record breaking concert tours.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
