Kevin Hart Almost Never Became a Comedian After Manager’s Cruel Words on His Talent Who Had Discovered Eddie Murphy Before
In an industry as influence-driven as Hollywood, every budding artist needs a support system which can boost their career. Kevin Hart, known for his incredible comic timing, was also on the lookout to get a stamp of approval from the big guys so that his belief in his skills didn’t waver. However, when he was looking for praise and appreciation, he received one negative comment that broke his heart and was told to quit comedy entirely.
Kevin Hart’s First Feedback as a Comedian
As a young teen, Kevin Hart discovered his talent for comedy and stand-ups. He found his calling after randomly performing at a show one night and making the audience fall in love with his talent. Hart used to see Eddie Murphy as his role model. Murphy is a renowned comedian who voiced the Donkey in the Shrek movies. Like Murphy, Hart wanted to make it big in the world of laughs and jokes. Calling himself a class clown, Hart once said in an interview with Orange County Register,
“My energy was great. I made my co-workers smile all the time. And I was a good salesman. I was always in the top two of the salesmen — it was always me and this guy Dwight. It was my co-workers who pushed me to go on stage on an amateur night at the Laugh House comedy club. I was shocked at first, but then I said I’d do it.”
At that time, he was working as a shoe salesman. Once he started doing more shows, he realized he could start working on comedy full-time. Hart finally got the chance to perform for Lucion, one of the big-time guys in Hollywood who discovered the likes of Murphy and other comedy legends. The feedback he got from Lucion discouraged him from pursuing comedy in the future, as he revealed on CNBC Make It.
“If this guy said you were funny, then you were funny. If this guy said you had it, you had it. And I worked so hard to get to this guy, and I got to him. I performed for him, and he told me to my face that I should really think about finding another profession. He told me to my face that he didn’t feel that comedy was for me.”
This comment broke Hart’s spirit and he realized he couldn’t come close to the comedy legends of Hollywood. He questioned his career choice and even wanted to quit as per Lucion’s advice. However, a close friend did not let him give up.
How Did Kevin Hart Become a Comedian?
Hart agrees that the moment put a damper on his dreams and he felt like giving up at a time. He never planned this career and the dark thoughts were getting to him. It’s understandable as industry veterans’ opinions matter and can dishearten people from ever being a part of the glamorous world.
“I had put so much pride and wear and tear on myself to get that information. And then when I got it, it wasn’t what I expected it to be. And that could have been a damaging moment, but those are the moments I choose to let go of.”
Fortunately, a friend of his came to his aid and put him out of his spiral. He credits his friend Keith Robinson for making him shake off the negative comments and keep working on his material as a comedian. Thanks to Robinson, we have a charming comedian like Hart in the industry who has given smashing hits like Jumanji, Central Intelligence and Me Time.
