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Kevin Hart received the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on March 24, 2024.
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The Kennedy Center
Kevin Hart received the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on March 24, 2024.
The Kennedy Center
Comedians love to make fun of each other. It’s almost a requirement for the job and Kevin Hart had it in abundance Sunday night when he received the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
Tiffany Haddish called him a “leprechaun.” Jerry Seinfeld joked that “If you look at Kevin Hart’s career, it doesn’t seem like he was that hard to achieve.” Chris Rock, Regina Hall, Keith Robinson, Chelsea Handler, Dave Chappelle and others held the roast.
The younger comedians were more charitable. Kevin Hart is known for championing unknown talent, such as Dave Burd, a rapper who goes by Lil Dicky. Hart invested in his music and helped him create a new comedy. Like Hart, Burd grew up in Philadelphia.
Tiffany Haddish was one of several comedians who thanked Kevin Hart for his help early in their career.
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Tiffany Haddish was one of several comedians who thanked Kevin Hart for his help early in their career.
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“That you like growing up looking at a screen seeing a guy who you think is the funniest in the world and then having that guy pull you in and say, ‘Let me help you and let me tell you everything I know about this industry.’ Honestly, it’s the stuff of dreams,” Burd said before the show.
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is considered the highest honor in comedy. Previous winners include Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart, Whoopi Goldberg and Eddie Murphy.
Like any great honor, some comedy lovers believe there have been oversights. Neither Seinfeld nor Chris Rock have received the award. The late Mel Brooks turned it down. The Kennedy Center says it did not say why.
From left, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC to honor Kevin Hart as he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on March 24, 2024.
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Sean McCarthy, who writes about comedy for The Daily Beast and Decider, says it’s surprising that people like Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers didn’t receive the award. Several recent winners, including Hart, were 40 years old when they won the award. McCarthy would like the Twain Prize to honor older comedians who have inspired younger generations.
“I used to think the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was a lifetime achievement award, kind of like the Kennedy Center Honors,” McCarthy says. “And it certainly felt that way until about 2010, when they started giving the award to people in their 40s, like Tina Fey and Will Ferrell. And now I don’t really know what the award means.”
During the ceremony, comedian after comedian praised Kevin Hart for his talents as a performer and entrepreneur. In addition to his stand-up comedy and films, he is involved in several businesses, including his own production company, a tequila brand, and restaurants.
Growing up, Hart’s father was in and out of prison. He says he got his work ethic from his mother. She died in 2007. If she had been here, Hart believes she would be proud to see him receive comedy’s most prestigious award.
“My mom is a big believer that you get what you put into something,” Hart reflected, “so because of my effort, knowing my effort, she was like, ‘It’s supposed to happen.'”
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor premieres on Netflix on May 11.
Kevin Hart’s comedy is energetic and physical. He is known for joking about everyday things, from dating to being a father.
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This audio and digital version of this story was edited by Kevin Drew.
