Kevin Hart has been named the 2024 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, an honor that recognizes individuals who have significantly impacted American society through their humor, similar to the 19th-century novelist and essayist Samuel Clemens, known as Mark Twain.
The prize is presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is awarded annually to individuals who have made lasting contributions to the comedic landscape. Hart, who was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began his career as a comedian at a local comedy club and has since become a box office powerhouse, opening 11 films at number one and grossing over $4.23 billion globally.
He has also made significant strides as an entrepreneur, founding Hartbeat, a global media company that combines comedy and culture, and HartBeat Ventures. Hart continues to develop, star in, and produce feature films, television, and podcasts through Hartbeat for various partners, including Netflix, Peacock, Sirius XM, and Audible.
Key Facts
- Kevin Hart was named the 2024 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, recognizing his significant impact on American society through his humor.
- The award is presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is awarded to individuals who have made lasting contributions to the comedic landscape.
- Hart expressed his gratitude for the Kennedy Center’s recognition of his voice and impact on culture, acknowledging the importance of comedy as an outlet for social commentary.
- The ceremony was a celebration of Hart’s career, attended by comedy legends who witnessed his professional highlight, underscoring his place in the pantheon of comedy legends.
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor will be awarded to Hart at a gala performance on March 24, 2024, at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The event will feature some of the biggest names in comedy and will be produced by David Jammy and the creative team at Done+Dusted, the Kennedy Center’s producing partner for the Mark Twain Prize since 2018.
Hart expressed his gratitude for the honor, stating, “I’ve been doing comedy since the inception of this award 25 years ago.
Comedian Kevin Hart honored with Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for humor https://t.co/BnSvX33mfQ pic.twitter.com/YzctDyuNtH
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 25, 2024
To be honored in this commemorative year feels surreal. Comedy is my outlet for social commentary and observations on life—I am grateful to the Kennedy Center for recognizing my voice and impact on culture. I can’t wait to celebrate!”.
The ceremony will be broadcast on Netflix beginning May 11, 2024, during the Netflix is a Joke Fest. Hart will receive a bronze bust of Mark Twain, joining an elite group of comedians who have been honored with the Mark Twain Prize for their lifetime achievements in comedy. This includes previous recipients such as Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, and Dave Chappelle. The 2024 Mark Twain Prize marks the 25th year of the award, which annually brings together the comedy community to recognize comedic excellence and impact.
