Kevin Hart: "I Don't Want to Make the Mistakes That My Dad Made"
— -- Kevin Hart is opening up about his painful childhood, and how growing up with a father who was addicted to drugs affected his life.
Hart explained to "The Howard Stern Show" that although his dad was a "real deal" drug addict while he was growing up, the actor wouldn't change any part of his childhood because it made him into who he is today.
"I wouldn't change it one bit," Hart said.
Hart revealed that his father was addicted to numerous drugs. "Heroin, coke, crack, you name it, he did it," Hart said. "Nothing else mattered [to him]."
The 36-year-old comedian recounted that his dad's drug addiction was so severe, his father once stole $20 that someone had given Hart as a birthday present so that he could buy drugs. "My dad stole it," Hart admitted.
Hart insisted that despite the hardships he went thought as a child because of his father, the comedian is still a "happy guy."
"You can find a positive in every negative, or you can treat every negative with a negative response," Hart said.
The "Laugh At My Pain" comedian further explained his perspective on his situation, saying "things happen for a reason."
"If my dad hadn't been around and didn't do drugs, I may be handling my success differently," Hart said. "I may be on drugs, I may be searching for something."
The "Ride Along 2" actor also noted that his father's influence on him has impacted how he raises his two children, Heaven, 10, and Hendrix, 8.
"The way I look at it now, I'm such a great father because I don’t want to make the mistakes that my dad made," Hart said.
Hart revealed that he and his older brother helped their father with his recovery, and now their father is "all about clean living."
"My dad's fine now," Hart said. "I never lost touch, that's my dad. I don't give a s--- about his mistakes."
