Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Guest: Kevin Hart, Stand-Up Comedian & Actor

Episode: STAND-UP GREATS: Kevin Hart on His Role in 'Fatherhood' and the Car Crash That Changed Everything

Date: November 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Willie Geist sits down (virtually) with Kevin Hart, who is in Budapest filming a movie, to discuss Hart's latest ventures: his dramatic film Fatherhood, his new young readers' book Marcus Makes a Movie, the life-changing aftermath of a near-fatal car accident, and his relentless work ethic. The conversation captures Kevin's trademark humor, personal insights, and honest reflections on growth, family, and success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kevin Hart’s Nonstop Hustle and Family Life

• Filming in Budapest: Hart is in Budapest shooting Borderlands ([02:43]).
• Multiple Projects: Simultaneously promoting a film, book, podcast, audiobook, telethons, and family life ([02:51]-[03:11]).
• Family During the Pandemic:
  • Reflects on the rare opportunity to be present at home due to COVID-19:

    “There’s truly been a void of weekends with me in the house...but there’s a positive in every negative. Me sitting down and getting to really tap in with my loved ones... was a really good thing for me.” – Kevin Hart ([03:37])

2. Fatherhood and Embracing Dramatic Roles

• About the Movie:
  • Based on a true story of Matt Logelin, a father raising his daughter alone after his wife’s death ([05:11]).
• Why This Role?
  • Opportunity to challenge himself and change the narrative about Black fathers on-screen:

    “...to be able to do it and to have some type of positivity behind it and maybe be a part of changing the narrative... of Black fathers… that acted as a bonus.” – Kevin Hart ([05:11])

• Career Evolution:
  • Move toward drama isn’t about proving anything, but personal growth and keeping the craft exciting for himself:

    “It’s not necessarily proving something to people… You gotta find levels of fun for you in the craft that you’ve chosen...” – Kevin Hart ([07:01])

• Single Parenthood:
  • Goosebumps and self-doubt drawn from imagining single fatherhood, relating deeply to the role:

    “The thought of being a single father is tough...there’s moments of ‘Am I doing it right?’...that’s where a lot of the emotion comes from.” – Kevin Hart ([08:42])

3. Collaborating with the Obamas

• Producer Involvement:
  • Barack and Michelle Obama co-produced Fatherhood through their company.
  • Kevin recalls casual conversations with “Bo” (Barack Obama):

    “I actually did talk to Barack, man. I had a couple conversations... I think it’s just crazy that I can say I talked to Barack on the phone comfortably.” – Kevin Hart ([11:20]) “Hey Bo, what’s up, man?” – Kevin Hart, joking about their newfound rapport ([12:28])

4. Literary Ventures: Marcus Makes a Movie

• Why Young Adult Literature?
  • Expanding his message of perseverance to kids, empowering them to overcome rejection:

    “I want kids... to understand that what you feel you’re talented at is what you’re talented at. Nobody else can dictate your talent but you.” – Kevin Hart ([15:28])

• On Hearing 'No':

  “The word no is just a word...if I’d let it buckle me or stop me, I definitely would not be where I am today.” ([15:28])

• Advice for Kids Facing Rejection or Doubt:

  “Talent is amazing to have, but hard work... may surpass the talent. But hard work plus talent is undefeated.” ([18:35])

5. Lessons from Stand-up and Perseverance

• Legendary Holiday Pants ([20:42])
  • Recalling a prior interview in Madison Square Garden and having the confidence to wear Christmas-themed pants in summer as a marker of success.
• Coping with Early Setbacks:

  "Sometimes you’re just not ready. Doesn’t mean that you’re not good... it just meant I wasn’t ready for those moments." – Kevin Hart ([21:28])

• Reflection on Growth:

  “With time comes experience... improvement. That’s what it’s about.” ([21:28])

6. Crafting His Pandemic Comedy Special

• Filming at Home:
  • Recent Netflix special was shot in his living room for an “intimate, honest” feel ([24:15]).

    “...that special was an honest conversation...about me being honest about my life at that time... just a comfort that comes with being honest and aware.” – Kevin Hart ([24:38])

• Comfort with Self and Success:

  “There’s a thing where this is going to make me happy, and if I get this, I’ll be the happiest person ever...then you get it...you have it, and you find yourself getting over it... It’s not about the material stuff... it’s about the family, the love, the connection…” – Kevin Hart ([26:29])

7. The Car Accident That Changed Everything

• Severity of the Accident:
  • Nearly paralyzed; long and difficult physical recovery ([29:11]).

    "You're talking about a couple centimeters... that's what separated me and being paralyzed... five and some change months of recovery... losing all my body mass." ([29:20])

• Impact on Perspective:

  “You’re not in control... At any point in time, it can be over. Snapping fingers, over. Holy cow. I’m fortunate and lucky to still experience life... Let me make sure I take the time to appreciate it. That’s a lesson.” – Kevin Hart ([28:27])

8. What’s Next for Kevin Hart?

• Gigantic Slate:
  • Upcoming projects include Borderlands (movie), True Story (Netflix series), another film with Netflix, a new audiobook, the Comedy Gold Minds podcast, clothing collaborations, a car show, a talk show (Hart to Heart) on Peacock, various business partnerships, and more ([30:45]–[32:39]).
• Signature Hustle:
  • “Partnerships on partnerships, relationships on relationships. Man. Oh my God, I think I froze you. I went so long that I froze Willie.” ([30:53])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On changing narratives:

  “To be able to do it… maybe be a part of changing the narrative or changing the stereotype of black fathers and also motivating fathers in general... that acted as a bonus.” – Kevin Hart ([05:11])

• On personal growth:

  “It’s all intentional. These choices are extremely intentional. I think after the success with Fatherhood and the response, it’s looking for the piece of material that acts as an elevation after because once again, you want the challenge.” – Kevin Hart ([13:01])

• On happiness:

  “You end up looking over the things that are most present... the things that truly bring you joy, the things that truly keep a smile on your face, you overlook them. It’s about the people, the family, the love, the connection, the value of these relationships.” – Kevin Hart ([26:29])

• On the car crash:

  “You’re not in control... At any point in time, it can be over. Snapping fingers, over. Holy cow. I’m fortunate and lucky to still experience life... Let me make sure that I take the time to appreciate it.” – Kevin Hart ([28:27])

Important Timestamps

• [02:43] — Hart filming Borderlands in Budapest
• [03:37] — Family life during the pandemic
• [05:11] — Why Hart gravitated to Fatherhood
• [11:20] — Conversations with Barack Obama
• [15:28] — Why he wrote Marcus Makes a Movie
• [18:35] — Advice on talent vs hard work
• [21:28] — Early standup failures and resilience
• [24:38] — The living room Netflix special
• [26:29] — Perspective on happiness and gratitude
• [28:27] — The life-changing car accident
• [30:53] — Preview of future projects and freeze-frame moment

Tone

Upbeat, candid, motivational, and honest—Kevin Hart brings his infectious energy, quick humor, and hard-won wisdom to every topic. Willie Geist matches with friendly, conversational warmth, drawing out both laughter and deep reflection from Hart.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode offers a heartfelt and humorous look at the evolution of one of the world’s biggest comedic talents. Kevin Hart shares why he's branching into drama with Fatherhood, what motivates his continued hustle, and how near-tragedy reshaped his view on life, family, and happiness. The conversation inspires with real talk about handling rejection, striving for growth, and never taking loved ones for granted, peppered with laughs and industry anecdotes—making it a must-listen for fans and newcomers alike.