Kevin Hart Receives the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Kevin Hart strutted into the spotlight as always to accept the Mark Twain Award for American Humor on Sunday night, filling the stage with his signature pyrotechnics.

“Can I pee?” Hart said after receiving a heartfelt tribute from his friend, comedian Dave Chappelle, before staggering off the stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. He then reappeared to accept a bust of Mark Twain from David M. Rubinstein, retired chairman of the Kennedy Center.

Hart, 44, is the 25th comedian to win the Kennedy Center Award, which is given annually to the greatest humorist in American comedy. Mr Hart, who is joined by his wife and four children, grinned as he listened to spicy, funny roasts and emotional tributes from friends and colleagues in the industry.

“I played arena with Chris Rock and I would never have played arena before I saw you perform,” said Mr. Chappelle, who credited Mr. Hart with changing the stand-up comedy industry as he sold out his career Arena tours and even a football stadium in his hometown of Philadelphia. “You let me dream bigger and you’re younger than me – it’s such a shame.”

In a career of some 25 years (it should be noted that he has been writing comedy since the inception of the Mark Twain Award in the late 1990s), Mr. Hart has sold millions of tickets. He has built a loyal fan base through films, TV series and numerous live events (some of which were also enhanced with pyrotechnics), including eight comedy specials featuring relatable narratives, physical comedy and silly reenactments. But even when he rails against the characters who populate his life, he’s usually the butt of his own jokes.

Colleagues on Sunday also praised his work ethic, which has included starring and casting friends in a string of Hollywood films, such as the “Jumanji” sequels, the comedies “The Father” and “Night School,” as well as a number of comedy action films. Movie.

“I didn’t start out doing anything to win awards,” Mr. Hart said. “I fell in love with the idea of ​​comedy. It made me say, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve fallen in love with something I can do for the rest of my life.'”

Sunday night’s show features his fellow comic Mr. Chappelle, winner of the 2019 Mark Twain Award; Chris Rock headlines the tour and joins Mr. Hart in subsequent Starring in the 2023 documentary “Headliners Only”; JB Smoove, who met Mr. Hart at the Laff House in Philadelphia where he got his start; Jimmy Fallon paying tribute in the form of an original country song, with a heavy nasal voice and cowboy hat; as well as Jerry Seinfeld, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, Chelsea Handler, Nick Cannon and Keith Robinson. Singer Robin Thicke performed as well as rappers Nelly and Dave Burd.

The Plastic Cup Boyz, the stand-up comedy and sketch group that ran for Mr Hart for 17 years, also paid their respects.

Mr Hart said receiving the Mark Twain Award – considered by many to be comedy’s lifetime achievement award – meant a lot because colleagues were on hand to pay their respects. Mr. Hart fired back at several speakers who mocked his comedy style, pulled pranks and reminded the audience of his diminutive stature (Ms. Haddish compared the comedian, who is several inches taller than 5 feet tall, to a leprechaun). He burst into tears as he accepted the award.

“All jokes aside, thank you for showing up on such an exciting night that wouldn’t have been possible without real connections and real energy,” Mr. Hart said.

The awards show will be streamed on Netflix starting on May 11.