Name

Kevin Darnell Hart

Date of Birth

July 6, 1979

Birth Place

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Education

High School

Previous Jobs

Shoe salesman at City Sports, stand-up comedian

Net Worth

US$120m

Aha! Moment

  • Hart started his stand-up career after his coworkers at City Sports, where he worked during his first year at college, convinced him to try an open mic comedy night. Hart not only won that night, he won open mic night for six weeks straight, until the season ended.

Journey

  • In 2016 alone, Hart played a 164-date tour, starred in six movies, two televisions series, held one comedy and music festival, released an app (Kevmoji), scored four endorsement deals and three partnership deals. Whew!

Ambitions

  • Build his own studio so he can make and distribute his own movies, TV shows, miniseries an digital media under the Hartbeat Productions and Hartbeat Digital brands.

Setbacks

  • Hart’s father was a cocaine addict who spent Hart’s childhood in and out of jail. This forced Hart to make big decisions at a very young age.
  • Hart was arrested for a DUI in 2013. After losing his license, he hired driver and a Mercedes Sprinter van that was fully kitted out with WiFi, video screen, computers, massage recliner chairs and a fridge. Hart found the setup so efficient that he kept it, even after getting his license back.

Kevin’s Routine

  • Wake up between 4:30am and 5:30am.
  • Go to the gym for 60 to 90 minutes.
  • In bed by midnight.

Success Principles

  • Hart describes himself as the most positive guy in the world who doesn’t have an angry bone in his body.
  • Hard work. In the sixteen months between April 2015 and August 2016, Hart played 164 tour dates internationally plus made six movies.
  • Even though Hart had tried his hand a numerous unsuccessful movies and TV shows (Fool’s Gold, anyone?), it was only when Hart decided to focus on his stand-up that his career really took off. Even though he did TV and movies during the week, he spend his weekends on the road playing comedy shows.
  • Hart’s mobile command centre van allows him to get work done whilst he’s stuck in the LA traffic.
  • Be relatable. Hart’s comedy is so successful because he focuses on being relatable, using his relationships, his parents and his flaws as material. This allows his audience to connect.
  • Be authentic. Hart never wants a fan to look at one of his partnerships (e.g. with Tommy John underwear) and think he’s only in it for the money.
  • It was Hart to approached Tommy John about entering into a partnership, not the other way around.
  • Hart still signs every cheque at Hartbeat so he always knows where his money is going.