Comedian and media mogul Kevin Hart is reportedly pulling back from day-to-day involvement in his media company, Hartbeat, following his high-profile partnership with Authentic Brands Group. The shift is unfolding alongside mounting scrutiny and backlash.
Are the Walls Closing In?
Once valued at $650 million after a 2022 merger and major investment, Hartbeat has recently faced internal challenges. According to reports, film and television production has slowed, podcast initiatives have stalled, and multiple rounds of layoffs have impacted staff.
Hart, who resumed the CEO role in 2025, has reportedly stepped back from daily responsibilities, leaving longtime collaborators to oversee the company.
Hart, whose net worth is estimated to be between $400 million and $450 million, entered a partnership in January with Authentic Brands Group where he became a shareholder. The arrangement allows him to co-own and expand his name, image, and likeness across consumer products and digital platforms.
At the same time, Hart is facing public backlash tied to his recent Netflix roast that aired earlier this month. A controversial joke by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe mocking the death of George Floyd drew widespread criticism, with many calling it insensitive and harmful.
Critics have also questioned Hart’s decision to include Hinchcliffe in the lineup, citing the comedian’s history of provocative material.
There’s also a controversy about how Hartbeat handled two Black podcast producers.
According to a Bloomberg investigation, Eric Eddings and Lesley Gwam were hired to build out Hartbeat’s podcast division, developing projects between 2023 into 2024 that did not depend on Hart’s personal brand. Despite allegedly creating a full slate of shows, none of their ideas were apparently given the green light. When the producers decided to launch their own company using those projects, Hartbeat reportedly fired them and filed a lawsuit in 2025 accusing them of trade secret theft and breach of contract. The case is still ongoing.
Once again black folks buying in to destroy the reputation of another black person. White media starts it and black folks run with it. Then it’s “look what they did to hart”! No black folks did it. First destroy the name then the person. It’s always been America’s way to destroy black folks. Track history. Tried to get him on his jokes now he’s responsible for other folks jokes.