Self-proclaimed comedic rock-star Kevin Hart received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center on Sunday, making Him the 25th recipient of the prize. The 44-year-old comedian joins the ranks of Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Jon Stewart, Carol Burnett, and more. 

The star-studded evening started with a Kevin Hart-approved pyrotechnic performance by his buddies and former co-stars from The Real House Husbands of Hollywood, Robin Thicke and Nelly. Then it featured fellow comedians Dave Chappelle, Regina Hall, J. B. Smoove, Chelsea Handler, and Jerry Seinfeld offered their best laughs while highlighting Hart’s stellar comedy career.

Hall hilariously said, “Kevin really cares about the quality of the check, not the project.” And Chappelle shared that even though Hart didn’t show up for his win, he’s still here for Hart’s. “I really wish you would have come when I won this award,” said Chappelle, who received the Twain Prize in 2019. 

The award, named for author Samuel Langhorne Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain), is given to someone whose humor “has impacted American society.” Hart has sold over half a billion tickets to his comedy shows (Dave Chappelle did his research), three of his stand-up specials are among the top 10 highest-grossing of all time, he’s created countless opportunities for fellow comedians from stage to screen and his movies have made more than $4 billion at the global box office. Hart has had a major impact on the comedy landscape.

Even though he’s most widely known for his comedic efforts, Hart is a businessman. He has created an empire that is building generational wealth. He owns fast-casual restaurants, a tequila brand, a protein shake line, a production company, and an investment firm.

In an emotional speech, Hart thanked God, his mother, his wife, his children, his publicist, his agent, his financial advisers, his security team, the CEO of one of his companies, his “partnerships and investments,” his friends and colleagues, the evening’s presenters — everyone. Hart also proclaimed that he plans to be a billionaire by his 45th birthday this June.