MEMPHIS– From award-winning actor to one of the highest-grossing comedians of all time to multimedia venture capitalist, Kevin Hart quickly corrects anyone who dares to suggests he’s juggling a million jobs these days.
“You’re absolutely wrong,” Hart typically fires back. “It’s a million and one.”
When Hart’s not on the big screen headlining blockbuster movies, he’s on television pushing sports betting apps, credit card companies and other projects in commercials. And when he’s not doing that, Hart’s in your social media feed promoting his media investment firms.
There’s one word beyond ‘hilarious’ that best describes the 43-year-old superstar: Ubiquitous.
If it feels as if Hart is almost everywhere at any given time, well that’s not necessarily true. The Emmy and Grammy nominated icon can only be found Friday night at FedExForum when Hart makes the latest stop on his successful ‘Reality Check’ tour in Memphis.
With Hart’s corporate and entertainment empire intact, having accumulated a reported net worth of $450 million, it’s time to reconnect to his foundation as an unadulterated funnyman.
“I need to give people a reminder,” Hart said during a recent tour promotional appearance on The Pivot Podcast. “This Reality Check tour I’m on now is just in case you forgot why I sit where I sit, why I am the way I am. Let me go back to a little raw, a little edge and still have fun in my craft. You’ve got to recreate yourself in your craft.”
Friday’s show is the latest in an epic week of star-studded appearances at FedExForum. It started with Sunday’s electric performance from Mary J. Blige during her Good Morning Gorgeous tour stop. It continued with superstar Ja Morant leading the Grizzlies to Wednesday’s season-opening overtime win against the Knicks under the NBA’s national spotlight.
And now, Hart is set to bring his legendary hustle to town.
Limited tickets remain via Ticketmaster and the FedExForum Box Office for Reality Check, which is a cellphone-prohibited show. Phones and other digital devices will be secured upon entry in individual Yondr pouches that can be reopened at the end of the event.
For the past two decades, Hart rose to the top of the industry with a relentless work ethic that keeps him either touring on the go, in a studio or on a movie set about 10 months every year.
His Reality Check tour swings through Memphis at an emotional time for Hart, who posted on his social media feed on Oct. 12 that his father, Henry Witherspoon, died at age 73. The Jumanji star, whose mother died from ovarian cancer in 2007, referenced both parents in a recent post.
“Gone but never forgotten . . . Give mom a hug for me . . . y’all did good man,” Hart wrote in an online tribute last week during a brief tour stop to return to his native Philadelphia. “Thank you for everything . . . I’m a better father because of you . . . We will all make you proud.”
The married father with four children, Hart is about midway through his latest North America tour that includes more than 40 shows in a four-month stretch. Memphis is familiar territory for Hart, who has made several trips to the region for shows and to film and promote other artists.
Hart last performed at FedExForum in 2015 during his national ‘What Now?’ tour. According to the Commercial-Appeal, Hart also famously worked a shift at A&R BBQ restaurant in Memphis during another promotional appearance in 2014.
“I remember when I was first starting out, the one thing I wanted to do was perform for everybody,” Hart told Memphis aspiring comedians during his 2017 ‘Hart of the City’ Comedy Central show. “Maybe you guys should try to take some steps into diversifying the rules that you have out here. Because ultimately, we’re doing the one thing that everybody needs. And that is providing laughter.”
Helping millions of fans find ways to laugh through some of life’s toughest lessons has been Hart’s passion. Pollstar recognized Hart as the comedy touring artist of the decade, with ‘Reality Check’ marking his first major string of road shows in four years. His previous tour sold out over 100 arenas globally. Prior to that, Hart’s 2018 Irresponsible Tour sold one million tickets.
Hart has starred in 10 films that opened at No. 1 in the box office and have generated $4.23 billion in revenues. In recent years, Hart has stretched his acting by taking roles outside of his comedic comfort zone.
In the 2021 movie Fatherhood, based on a true story, Hart played the role of a father raising his young daughter after the tragic death of his wife soon following childbirth. Last year, Hart also starred alongside Wesley Snipes in the Netflix dramatic series True Story.
Hart embraces those roles as opportunities to expand his range – and to keep working.
“They’re definitely . . . a little shocked, a little blown away,” Hart said during last year when describing fan reaction to his dramatic projects. “It’s different. It’s not what you’re accustomed to, seeing me in a role like this. I don’t think anybody is more excited about it than me.”
According to reviews, Reality Check gives Hart the platform to cover it all in the show. From dealing with social justice issues, widespread Hollywood drama and edgy politics – all coming out of a global pandemic – there’s apparently no topic off limits for Hart’s legendary humor.
Hart’s Reality Check material is prohibited from being recorded in arena by fans.
But based on his track record, it’s certain to be a memorable night.
“Laughter heals all wounds, and that’s one thing that everybody shares,” Hart said during one of his shows. “No matter what you’re going through, it makes you forget about your problems. I think the world should keep laughing. In life, you can choose to cry about the bull-(expletive) that happens, or you can choose to laugh about it. I choose laughter.”
On Friday night, so will Memphis.