Kevin Darnell Hart, widely recognised as Kevin Hart, is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry. An actor, comedian, rapper, and producer, he is currently enjoying his time in Rwanda with his family. With a towering net worth of $450 million and standing at approx. 157cm tall, Kevin Hart’s larger-than-life persona extends beyond his physical stature. Today, we delve into five fascinating aspects of his life that showcase the man behind the laughter.

ALSO READ: Comedian Kevin Hart visits Rwanda

Aspiring basketball star

Before becoming a renowned comedian, Kevin Hart dreamt of becoming a professional basketball player. However, attending a basketball camp with the legendary Kobe Bryant was a turning point in his life. Seeing Kobe’s exceptional talent made Hart realise that his own skills were not up to par.

This revelation led him to shift his focus towards comedy, where he eventually found immense success.

Collaborating with Rwandan talent

Kevin Hart has been working closely with Rwandan photographer and director, Egide Mbabazi, also known as Egide Fox.

Together, they have undertaken various creative projects, including capturing photos and visuals for the "Hartbeat Weekend” celebration in honour of Hart’s birthday.

Moreover, Egide Fox played a crucial role in bringing to life advertisement visuals for Hart’s tequila brand Gran Coramino featuring Rwandan DJ Toxxyk.

Close call with different career path

At one point in his life, Hart almost became a stripper. Facing financial constraints during community college, he was encouraged by his then-girlfriend to pursue dancing as a means of earning money. He even prepared a routine set to Ginuwine’s "Pony” and bought a bow tie, G-string, and baby oil.

However, his brother discovered him from practicing in his room, and he decided to abandon the idea.

Overcoming negative feedback

Hart was once told to quit comedy by the man that helped discover Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld.

In the early stages of his comedy career, Hart received discouraging advice from talent booker and manager, Lucian Hold.

After delivering what he thought was a stellar audition, Lucian told Hart to consider another profession, implying that comedy was not his forte. Undeterred by the criticism, Kevin persevered and proved the naysayers wrong, becoming one of the most successful comedians in the world.

A passion for poker

Hart is not only a talented comedian but also used to be an avid poker player. Since around 2010, he has immersed himself in the world of poker, participating in major tournaments such as the World Series of Poker.

In 2014, he even secured a victory in one of these events. His passion for poker led to an exciting partnership with PokerStars, where he became their Brand Ambassador in 2017. As a PokerStars ambassador, he appeared in various ad campaigns alongside iconic athletes like Usain Bolt.