Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated actor and comedian Kevin Hart was honored with the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday night.
The prize was presented during a gala performance inside the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall attended by some of the biggest names in comedy, including Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Tiffany Haddish, Nick Cannon, and Chelsea Handler.
“Comedy is my outlet for social commentary and observations on life,” said Hart. “I am grateful to the Kennedy Center for recognizing my voice and impact on culture.”
The Mark Twain Prize “recognizes individuals who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th-century novelist and essayist Samuel Clemens, colloquially known as Mark Twain.” The performance will premiere on Netflix on Saturday, May 11.
Nelly and Robin Thicke perform together.Nelly and Ashanti.Chelsea Handler.David Rubenstein, Caryn Zucker, and Kevin Hart.Kevin Hart hugs Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.Cappy McGarr co-created the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, as well as the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.Erica Loewe (Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, White House Office of Public Engagement), Michael Hyter (President & CEO of The Executive Leadership Council), Tisha Hyter, Steve Benjamin (Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Public Engagement, White House Office of Public Engagement), Rashida Jones (MSNBC President), Ed Fisher, Tony Capuano (CEO of Marriott International), and Julius Robinson (Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Marriott International).Nelly and Robin Thicke during the first performance of the night.Jimmy Fallon.Representative Joyce Beatty and Robin Thicke.Michael Leach, actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish, and Sean Glover.Premiere Lacrosse League’s Paul Rabil and Mike Rabil.Actress and comedian Nikki Glaser.Hendrix Hart, Kenzo Hart, Eniko Hart, Kevin Hart, Kaori Hart, and Heaven Hart.Rapper and comedian Lil Dicky.Carri Twigg, Sonia Rockwell, Phoebe Buck, Raeshem Nijhon, Sehr Thadhani, and Skye Townsend.Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter and Peter Ellefson.Actress Regina Hall.Shahidah Omar and actor and comedian J.B. Smoove.
Hines Vice President of Mixed-Use Development Timothy Lowery and actress Lynda Carter.Robin Thicke prompts Chelsea Handler to sing a few words.
Musician Frédéric Yonnet and Grammy Award-winning producer and publicist Carla Sims.Actor and comedian Chris Rock (right).Honoree Kevin Hart enters the concert hall.Ritu Khanna and Representative Ro Khanna.Comedian George Wallace.TikTok star Jordan Howlett (aka “Jordan the Stallion”) and musician 9th Wonder.Robin Thicke performs.René Spellman and Representative Steven Horsford.*Kevin Hart playfully hugs his children.Nelly performs.
*An earlier version of this post misidentified the person with Rep. Steven Horsford.
