Kevin Hart may now be one of the most famous comedians, but his journey to success started from modest beginnings. Raised by his mother, Nancy Hart, Kevin grew up in Philadelphia alongside his older brother, Robert.

Kevin’s father, Henry Witherspoon, battled drᴜg addiction and was largely absent during his childhood. Both of Kevin’s parents had a significant influence on his life, instilling in him important values about family, perseverance, and overcoming challenges.

Nancy took on the role of raising Kevin on her own in Philadelphia

Kevin, born to Nancy Hart and Henry Witherspoon, grew up in North Philadelphia, a neighborhood he described as difficult. “It’s not the best place in the world, but I love it. It’s home,” Kevin shared during the WTF with Marc Maron podcast.

Nancy took on the responsibility of raising Kevin and Robert alone after separating from their father. She worked as a computer analyst at the University of Pennsylvania, balancing her demanding job while caring for her two sons.

Kevin has frequently spoken about how hard his mother worked to support them. In the Emmy-nominated docuseries Don’t F— This Up, he shared that they lived in a one-bedroom apartment, and despite financial struggles, Nancy made sure they stayed focused on school and avoided trouble.

Kevin’s father, Henry Witherspoon, was absent for much of his childhood due to his struggle with drᴜg addiction. His addiction led to frequent stints in prison, leaving Nancy to raise Kevin and Robert primarily on her own.

In a 2016 conversation with Howard Stern, Kevin shared how significantly his father’s addiction impacted his life, including an incident where Henry stole from him on his birthday.

Despite these hardships, Kevin managed to transform his difficult upbringing into something positive. “You can find a positive in every negative,” he remarked. He also expressed that if his father had been present, he might have taken a different path in life, potentially struggling with the same addiction issues.

Nancy Hart played a crucial role in developing Kevin’s work ethic

In the Netflix documentary Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only, Kevin discussed how his mother taught him the importance of discipline and responsibility.

“My mom is the reason I understand the value of hard work,” Kevin stated. He explained that she imposed a strict routine on him, ensuring he stayed focused on his studies and extracurricular activities to help him avoid trouble.

Nancy adopted a stricter parenting style with Kevin compared to his older brother Robert. In Don’t F— this Up, Kevin mentioned that his mother was too easy on Robert, so she decided to take a tougher approach with Kevin to help keep him off the streets and prevent him from following a similar path.

One of the most impactful lessons Kevin shares about his mother occurred during his early career. When he faced eviction from his apartment, he turned to her for help. Instead of providing immediate support, Nancy suggested he read the Bible first. After receiving multiple eviction notices, Kevin finally opened the Bible, where he discovered six rent checks hidden inside.

Kevin recounted this story on Oprah Prime, explaining how his mother always assisted him but wanted him to trust in the process. “She hid all my rent checks in the Bible,” Kevin said.

Nancy was Kevin’s best supporter

Nancy Hart was Kevin’s most significant supporter throughout his career, and her encouragement played a vital role in his achievements. In his book I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons, Kevin shared that his mother kept every newspaper article that highlighted his accomplishments.

Though she appeared tough on the outside, Nancy’s love for Kevin was evident in how she protected him and supported his ambitions. “She had more strength and determination than any woman I’ve ever known,” Kevin stated. Even after Nancy received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, she chose to keep the news from Kevin so he could focus on his career.

Kevin forgave Henry and allowed him to spend time with his grandchildren

Despite the significant impact of Henry’s absence on Kevin’s childhood, the comedian ultimately found it in his heart to forgive and reconnect with him. In a 2018 interview with PEOPLE, Kevin discussed how he came to terms with his father’s past mistakes, stating, “No matter what, he’s my father. I realize that nobody’s perfect; people have flaws.”

Once Henry got clean, Kevin made an effort to bring him back into his life, inviting him to spend time with his wife Eniko and their four children: Heaven, Hendrix, Kenzo, and Kaori. “Here’s a home, here’s a car, and here’s some money,” Kevin explained, expressing his desire for Henry to make up for lost time and become a great grandfather.

Nancy passed away in 2007, and Henry in 2022

Kevin was profoundly affected by the loss of Nancy Hart, who sᴜccumbed to ovarian cancer in 2007. As a significant influence in his life, her passing left a notable emptiness. However, she continued to inspire him posthumously, as Kevin often reflects on the lessons she taught him and how her passion shaped his work ethic.

Fifteen years later, Henry Witherspoon also passed away in 2022. Kevin honored both of his parents on social media, sharing a heartfelt tribute to his father. “RIP to one of the realest & rawest to ever do it … Give mom a hug for me,” Kevin wrote.

Kevin remarked that his father’s absence unexpectedly enhanced his abilities as a parent

In an unexpected revelation, Kevin shared that his father’s absence had positively influenced his parenting skills. In a 2018 interview with PEOPLE, he explained that he developed his parenting approach by reflecting on his father’s shortcomings.

Kevin noted that instead of complaining about his dad’s mistakes, he chose to learn from them and use that knowledge to his benefit.

The most crucial lesson he took away was the importance of spending time with his children. He emphasized that giving time is the most valuable gift a parent can offer, striving to be present for his kids in ways his father couldn’t be for him.