Comedian Kevin Hart Joins an Elite Group Honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Tiffany Haddish called him a “leprechaun.” Jerry Seinfeld joked that, “If you look at Kevin Hart’s career, it doesn’t look like it was that hard to do.” Chris Rock, Regina Hall, Keith Robinson, Chelsea Handler, Dave Chappelle and others kept the roast going.

Younger comedians were more charitable. Kevin Hart is known for championing undiscovered talent, like Dave Burd, a rapper who goes by the name Lil Dicky. Hart has invested in his music and helped him create a new sitcom. Like Hart, Burd grew up in Philadelphia.

“To like grow up looking at a screen seeing a guy that you think is the funniest guy in the world and then to have that guy pull you and be like ‘Let me help and let me tell you everything I know about this industry.’ It is the stuff of dreams if I’m being honest with you,” Burd gushed before the show.

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is considered the highest honor in comedy. Past winners include Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart, Whoopi Goldberg and Eddie Murphy.

Like any big honor, some comedy lovers believe there have been oversights. Neither Seinfeld nor Chris Rock has received the award. Mel Brooks turned it down. The Kennedy Center says he didn’t say why.

During the ceremony, comedian after comedian praised Kevin Hart for his talents as a performer and an entrepreneur. In addition to his standup and movies, he’s involved in several businesses including his own production company, a tequila brand and restaurants.

Growing up, Hart’s dad was in and out of jail. He says he got his work ethic from his mom. She died in 2007. Had she been here, Hart believes she’d be proud to see him receive comedy’s most prestigious award.

“My mom is a firm believer that what you put into something you get out of it,” Hart reflected, “So, because of my effort, knowing my effort, she’d go, ‘It’s supposed to happen.'”