There’s more to Kevin Hart than being funny.
For one thing, those jokes don’t write themselves. Neither do the movies, TV shows, stand-up specials and podcasts — all of which someone has to produce.
The two bestselling books weren’t ghostwritten. The production companies weren’t bought with Hollywood bucks and a handshake.
Hart keeps his hands in many pots at a seemingly indefatigable pace — and that’s not counting his numerous tours, the last of which was named the No. 1 comedy tour of 2022 by Billboard.
Now on his ninth tour, “Acting My Age,” the multi-hyphenate joke juggernaut will wear his stand-up hat at 7:30 p.m. May 16 at the Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Drive.
Get tickets to see Kevin Hart
Another Hart fact many don’t know is that the Philly native is the youngest recipient of the Kennedy Center’s esteemed Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy.
That’s a long way from being booed off stage as a fledgling comic, when one performance was so bad that an audience member hurled a piece of chicken at him.
Hart’s career picked up steam when he began entering comedy competitions and finding his own voice instead of emulating other comics. He hit the road in earnest, with three consecutive tours, “I’m a Grown Little Man,” “Seriously Funny” and “Laugh at My Pain” in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.
“Laugh at My Pain” grossed more than $15 million, making it one of the year’s top-selling tours, and was released as a feature in movie theaters, as was Hart’s 2013 “Let Me Explain” tour.
Hart had several film roles leading up to the box office successes of “Think Like a Man” in 2012 and “Ride Along” with Ice Cube in 2014. Among his other credits is the successful “Jumanji” franchise. (Word has it a third installment is set to hit theaters in December 2026.)
Forbes listed Hart as the third highest-paid actor in 2024. The 45-year-old’s prolific output earned him about $81 million, surpassed only by his buddy and frequent co-star Dwayne Johnson at $88 million and Ryan Reynolds at $85 million.
He has hosted “Saturday Night Live” three times, as well as hosting awards shows, roasts and his “Hart to Hart” talk show on Peacock.
Hart’s numerous entrepreneurial coups include founding the companies Laugh Out Loud Network (LOL), Hartbeat Productions and HartBeat Ventures. In 2023, his premium tequila label, Gran Coramino, struck a multiyear deal to become the official luxury tequila of the Philadelphia Eagles.
He also has had and continues to have many partnerships with major brands including Draftkings, JPMorgan Chase, SiriusXM and Sam’s Club.
No-phone zone
If you’re planning to attend the show, be aware that the use of phones, smart watches and accessories will not be allowed in the performance space.
Upon arrival, all devices will be secured in individual Yondr pouches, which guests have possession of and open at the end of the event.
Devices can only be used in designated phone-use areas. Anyone seen using a device during the performance will be escorted from the venue.
Home is where the Hart is
If you’re having a sudden Hart attack and need a dose of humor at home, here’s where you can view his comedy specials:
Hart also can be seen on a coast-to-coast talent search in “Hart of the City.” For over three seasons from 2016-2019, the star visited two dozen cities to learn about their comedy scenes and find promising stand-up performers.
The series can be watched for free on Tubi, Pluto TV, the Roku Channel and Philo, as well as on Prime and Peacock.
Entertainment and Things to Do reporter Belinda M. Paschal can be reached at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Comedian Kevin Hart’s ‘Acting My Age’ tour to land at the Schott on May 16
Reporting by Belinda M. Paschal, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
