Kevin Hart has been entertaining us since 2001, but burst on the scene in 2008 with his “I’m a Grown Little Man” stand-up comedy special. From that point on, Hart has become a household name. Today, Hart, a stand-up comedian, actor, and producer, ranks among Hollywood’s highest-grossing entertainers. This new member of Hollywood royalty counts on big smokes as one of his favorite indulgences.

Kevin Hart Hustles Daily

Cigars were not some affectation he acquired when he achieved box office gold. Hart started smoking cigars while on the road building out his stand-up career. He often saw other comedians like Ron White and Steve Harvey smoking on stage or after their sets. Steve Harvey has become a tremendous role model for Hart because of his tireless work ethic. He also passed off his joy of smoking cigars to Hart, who was hooked!

Little Man, Big Smokes

Unlike many celebrities, Hart isn’t shy about his smoking habits. He was photographed on New Year’s Eve smoking with famed singer and actor Ludacris. On his recent honeymoon with his new bride, Eniko Parrish, in St. Bart’s, the paparazzi’s eyes were on his new bride. But they also captured Hart smoking in every photo, every day of the honeymoon. In a recent luxury fashion shoot on a sailboat in Malibu, he flashed one of his other big passions — expensive watches. He sported a rare Audemars Piguet watch that cost over $100k while waving a massive trophy Cuban.

All in the Family Smoking

The 2014 movie “Ride Along” featured Ice Cube, another notorious cigar smoker. Ice Cube’s cigar of choice is a Punch Magnum Double Maduro looked large in his hands. But these big smokes looked massive when given to Hart. Ice Cube teased his co-star about not being allowed to smoke anything more significant than himself. They frequently smoked throughout the movie, both on and off the set. While they shared cigars with folks on the set, many couldn’t handle the robust, full-bodied smokes they enjoyed!

Hart is Serious About his Big Smokes

As one of the most sought-after stand-up comedians on stage and on the big screen, he has made a career by being the funny guy. However, Hart takes his big smokes seriously. He smokes frequently and does not stop lighting big-ringed, full-bodied cigars. In the pictures from New Year’s with Ludacris, Hart is smoking a Cohiba Behike. He is also unafraid to flash prized Cuban trophies like a Partagas Series E Number 2. The bigger, the better!

The Champ Remains Humble

As one of the top-grossing movie stars, it would be easy for his success to go to his head. But instead, Hart stays grounded through the love of his growing family and focuses on upcoming projects. Smoking a cigar while enjoying a cocktail allows him to gather his thoughts as he thinks about the future while also reflecting upon the journey that got him there. A good smoke keeps him grounded and focused.

Although the cigars, watches, and clothes may seem flashy, Kevin Hart remains humble and hard-working. He knows how fleeting success can be and never take anything for granted.

Photo credit: “Kevin Hart 2014,” by Eva Rinaldi, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 2.0

Images of smoky jazz bars typically come to mind when pairing cigars and country music. However, these days the segment of the music industry that is genuinely smokin’ is country music. Cigars have frequently popped up in country music songs, returning to the days of Johnny Cash singing about fancy folks smoking big cigars in Folsom Prison Blues. Many of today’s artists have fully embraced the cigar-smoking lifestyle. Often cigars are celebrated in their lyrics or as an essential instrument on tour.

Brad Paisley and Cuban Cigars

Country music star Brad Paisley has been one of the hottest acts in country music for more than 20 years and has had almost as many number-one songs on the charts. He is also a dyed-in-the-wool cigar fan. He says, “Cigarettes are a habit; cigars are an event.” It has become a tradition for him and the band members to finish a show, sneak out to one of the upper sections of seats and light cigars, and watch the roadies tear down the sets.

Cigars and Country Music: The Cigar Song

Sometimes art imitates life. Brad Paisley wrote “The Cigar Song,” which has become a crowd favorite. An urban legend of a wealthy lawyer who bought a box of Cuban cigars and had them insured against fire inspired the song. When he finally smoked the last one, he filed a claim that he lost the cigars in 24 “little fires.” The insurance company eventually paid the claim, but he was arrested the following week on 24 counts of arson.

The song’s first line speaks volumes; “Well, I’m a sucker for fine Cuban cigars.” Brad’s first cigar was a Cuban Montecristo while on tour in Canada. His favorite smokes are Montecristo Number 2 and Punch Grand Cru.

Cigars and Country Music: Old Dominion Smokes on Tour

Rising country music group, Old Dominion, is also post-show cigar fans. Which is fitting, given they all met in Virginia, a state known for its rich tobacco heritage. The 2018 CMA Vocal Group of the Year Award Winners look forward to a cigar at the end of shows as a celebration. For them, it’s a victory cigar, as they are still trying to get accustomed to their newfound success. They have come a long way from the Swisher Sweets many of the band members initially smoked, now favoring Padron 1964 Anniversary Series and My Father’s Cigars while on the road. However, they also enjoy more eclectic lines like Crowned Heads and Herrera Esteli, which is fitting given their sometimes eclectic musical style.

Luke Bryan is a Sure Thing

Some country music stars take their love of cigars to the next level. Why have a humidor when you can own an entire lounge? That’s what country music and American Idol star Luke Bryan did. As the co-owner of Shore Thing Cigars in Florida, Luke combined some of his favorite loves; great beers, a comfortable room for friends, and his favorite cigars. Luke even personally selected the tobacco blend for his line of cigars made by Davidoff. If you ask Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, or Luke Bryan how they enjoy their cigars, they would all answer with the last line from “The Cigar Song”; “Yeah, I smoke ’em one by one!”

Photo credit: “Brad Paisley at Walmart Soundcheck,” by Lunchbox LP, Wikimedia Commons license CC BY 2.0

Regarding television shows, few reach iconic status, like Seinfeld. From 1989 to 1998, Seinfeld captivated audiences as a “show about nothing.” Yet, it somehow managed to touch everyday existence. One of the common threads that wove through many episodes was the cast’s relationship with cigars. Episodes center around the theme of cigars. For many of these celebrities, the love of smoking fine cigars was more than a matter of art imitating life.

Art Imitates Life

It’s easy to see why so many episodes of the beloved sitcom featured cigars. Co-creators Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld are both avid cigar aficionados. In addition, Julia Louis Dreyfus and her acting husband, Brad Hall, bragged about having a humidor at home long before it became cool to smoke.  

During the show’s taping, the cast often enjoyed cigars offset, primarily when the episode featured them in the plotline. Fast-forward to post-Seinfeld projects. You’ll see Larry David smoking sticks in “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Jerry Seinfeld also did an episode with Steve Harvey, another true cigar aficionado. That was in the episode “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” In this episode, the two sat in a Chicago cigar lounge, enjoying a couple of good sticks.

Seinfeld Episodes and Cigars

In Seinfeld, sometimes cigars were used as comedic props. For example, in an episode when Elaine can’t seem to stay away from her old boyfriend. Elaine bets Jerry on how long she can stay away from her former boyfriend. Then, Elaine repeatedly returns to the apartment to pay Jerry for her lost bet. Meanwhile, she’s puffing away on a cigar and cackling. Elaine was also featured smoking fine cigars in several episodes. 

In one episode, she takes over the Peterman Catalogue Company. In this episode, Elaine impersonates J. Jonah Jameson Jr., the fictional character who hosts the Daily Bugle in the “Spiderman” movies. Elaine sits at her desk with her feet propped up. She berates Jerry over the phone while she chomps on a cigar.

Next, we arrive at another episode. This time, Jerry is preparing for George’s approaching wedding. What better way to prepare for the big day than with a box of Cubans, right? Unfortunately for Jerry, the sticks he buys are counterfeits. He and Elaine sit on a couch complaining as they smoke them while Elaine tries to understand why counterfeit cigars are awful. Jerry compares it to “trying to smoke a chicken bone.”

Kramer and Cuban Cigars

In the end, Kramer was the key to entire episodes about cigars. He wanted to create a proper smoking lounge in his apartment for everyone not allowed to smoke in public restaurants. The consequences of his decision were legendary. He smokes so much that his face becomes the consistency of “an old baseball mitt.” He eventually sues “big tobacco” for losing his “twinkle.” 

In another episode, Kramer attempts to pass off three Dominican gentlemen as genuine Cuban cigar rollers. His goal with this is to become a domestic cigar magnate. Instead, they end up getting jobs rolling crepes at a diner. One of the most memorable episodes is when George’s future father-in-law’s cabin burns down because of the Cuban cigars Kramer smokes.

That’s a Wrap

It’s evident that the cast and directors of Seinfeld all love and bond over smoking fine cigars. So, it would have been impossible for cigars not to become minor stars of the show in their own right. But today, when the same cast gets together at award shows, they celebrate with cigars. Today, the cast also celebrates the friendship and bonds that began decades ago!