Comedian Kevin Hart has firmly addressed speculation about his height. Speaking during a 60 Minutes interview with Anderson Cooper, he confirmed that he stands at 5 foot 5.
This came after conflicting reports from various sources, including GQ, the Los Angeles Times, and others, which suggested different heights ranging from 5 feet 2 inches tall to 5 foot 4.
“GQ finally got it right,” he said. “Five foot 5, like with a shoe on, like a sneaker, Now, if I put a boot on, I can get to 5 [foot] 5 ½.”
Hart’s jokes about his height prompted a reflection on his comedic style. The actor, known for his role in “Fatherhood,” expressed confidence in his craft, noting his willingness to poke fun at himself during performances, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
He explained that he rides on the audience’s support, which enables him to employ self-deprecating humor with ease about his height.
“You’re not laughing necessarily at me as if I am a joke. You’re laughing at the experience,” Hart, 44, told Cooper. “I’m giving you an experience through a story that is relatable, and more importantly, I am saying things that other people just don’t have the heart to say.”
In the interview, Hart addressed the 2018 controversy surrounding his hosting of the 2019 Oscars. Despite initially landing the gig, he faced backlash over past homophobic jokes, leading to his decision to step down.
Hart, who initially refused to apologize, disclosed that comedian Wanda Sykes played a pivotal role in helping gain a fresh perspective on the matter.
“Wanda Sykes said, ‘There’s people that are being hurt today because of comments like the ones that you made then, and there’s people that were saying it’s okay to make those comments today based off of what you did,’” Hart explained.
“It was presented to me in a way where I couldn’t ignore that… In those moments of despair, great understanding and education can come out of it if you’re given the opportunity,” he added.