Kevin Hart was accompanied by his family at the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor event on Sunday. The 44-year-old comedian strolled the red carpet at the Kennedy Center with his wife Eniko, 39, and their four children: daughters Heaven, 19, and Kaori, three, as well as sons Hendrix, 16, and Kenzo, six. Kaori and Kenzo are Kevin’s children with Eniko, while Heaven and Hendrix are from his previous marriage to Torrei Hart, from whom he split in 2010.
Looking sharp in a navy tuxedo jacket and pants, Kevin received the esteemed Mark Twain Prize, which is given annually to some of the best humorists in the world. A slew of celebrities, including Tiffany Haddish, Chris Rock, Chelsea Handler, Nick Cannon, and others, were present to honor Kevin and celebrate his remarkable achievement alongside his family.
At the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor event on Sunday, Kevin Hart was surrounded by his loved ones.
The 44-year-old funnyman graced the Kennedy Center red carpet with his lovely wife, Eniko, 39, and their four children: daughters Heaven, 19, and Kaori, three; and sons Hendrix, 16, and Kenzo, six. After a heartwarming appearance with his family, Kevin took the stage to accept the prestigious award amidst a thunderous standing ovation.
In a pre-ceremony statement, the star expressed his surreal feelings about being honored in such a meaningful year. He described comedy as his way of offering social commentary and reflecting on life, expressing gratitude to the Kennedy Center for acknowledging his voice and impact on culture.
Established by the Kennedy Center, the Mark Twain Prize recognizes individuals who have influenced American society similarly to the acclaimed 19th-century writer, Samuel Clemens, known as Mark Twain. Clemens, with his fearless perspectives on societal issues and personal foibles, delighted and informed audiences through his satirical characters and observations.
The first Mark Twain Prize was awarded to Richard Pryor during the inaugural Kennedy Center Celebration of American Humor in 1998. Subsequent recipients include notable figures like Jonathan Winters, Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, George Carlin, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Dave Chappelle, and Jon Stewart.
Kevin’s path to stardom commenced in the comedy circles of Philadelphia, where he refined his skills at local open mic nights and comedy clubs in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His breakthrough moment arrived with the release of his first stand-up special, “I’m a Grown Little Man,” in 2009, catapulting him into the limelight.
With successful specials like “Seriously Funny” and “Laugh at My Pain,” Hart solidified his status as a comedy force to be reckoned with. His transition to mainstream success included starring roles in hit films like “Think Like a Man” and “Ride Along,” establishing him as one of the most prominent and beloved comedians in the entertainment industry.
In 2020, Kevin debuted his seventh hour-long stand-up special, “Zero F**** Given,” which quickly became Netflix’s top stand-up special of the year.
The actor from Ride Along has two children named Kaori and Kenzo with his wife Eniko, as well as two children named Heaven and Hendrix with his former spouse Torrei Hart, whom he divorced in 2010.
Kevin was decked out in a stylish navy tuxedo as he graciously accepted the highly coveted Mark Twain Prize, a prestigious award given each year to recognize the world’s top humorists.
Ted Sarandos, Bela Bajaria, Ori Marmur, Hart, Robbie Praw, and Peter Friedlander were all in attendance at the prestigious 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor event.
After a lovely stroll down the red carpet with his wonderful family, Kevin graciously stepped up to the stage to receive the award, greeted by a thunderous applause and standing ovation.
‘It’s truly unbelievable to be recognized in this special year,’ the celebrity expressed in a statement before the event.
In 1998, Richard Pryor was honored with the inaugural Mark Twain Prize. This prestigious award has also been given to comedy legends such as Jonathan Winters (1999), Carl Reiner (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), and George Carlin (2008).
Creating comedy allows me to share my thoughts on society and life in a unique way. I feel thankful to the Kennedy Center for acknowledging my perspective and influence on our cultural landscape.
This accomplishment led to Kevin Hart being nominated for a Grammy for Best Comedy Album and an Emmy for his work. He was also recognized with Emmy nominations for his performances in Die Hart and its follow-up, Die Hart 2: Die Harter, in the category of Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series. In addition to his successful writing career as a two-time New York Times bestselling author, his first Audible original, The Decision, received a nomination for Best Original Audiobook at the 2021 Audie Awards. Kevin Hart has also delved into business as the chairman of Hartbeat, a global media company focused on spreading joy and laughter around the world.
