Jeff Clanagan Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

NATPE, under new management after encountering turbulence during the pandemic, has appointed a new advisory board and is firming up plans for the return of its signature U.S. conference next January in Miami.

Kevin Hart and Chris Rock embarked on a stand-up tour together last year.

Kevin Hart‘s comedy series Die Hart has been renewed for a third season at Roku on the heels of a record-breaking premiere weekend for Season 2.

DEALSWarner Chappell and comedian Kevin Hart’s media company Hartbeat have signed a deal that will see the former administer the latter’s music publishing rights. “Hartbeat is THRILLED to partner with leading global publisher Warner Chappell Music to develop and build out a first-of-its-kind Hartbeat music library”, says the media firm’s President Jeff Clanagan.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWarner Chappell Music and Kevin Hart’s global multi-platform media company, Hartbeat, have announced an exclusive music publishing partnership. Under the deal – a first of its kind for Hartbeat – WCM will administer all of Hartbeat’s music composition copyrights, covering future programming as well as past works from shows like “Die Hart” and “Hart to Heart.”WCM will also help build the company’s music catalog across Hartbeat Studios, Hartbeat Media and Pulse, in addition to providing creative support for a variety of music projects, and access to its songwriting talent and award-winning production music library.WCM senior VP of creative services Ashley Winton said: “This deal was made possible with the support of our Co-Chairs Guy Moot and Carianne Marshall, and we’re all very proud that Hartbeat is entrusting us as their first publishing partner.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorKevin Hart is expanding his busy comedy production empire with the merger of two existing production banners and an influx of $100 million though the sale of a minority stake to private equity firm Abry Partners.With the deal, Hart combines HartBeat Productions and Laugh Out Loud into a single HartBeat banner led by CEO Thai Randolph, who helped raise the capital and had been chief operating officer of both companies. NBCUniversal remains a shareholder after taking an equity stake in Laugh Old Loud in 2020.Hart’s banners have active delivering theatrical movies (“Night School”), documentaries (Showtime’s “The One and Only Dick Gregory”), comedy series (FX’s “Dave”), Netflix titles (“Fatherhood,” “True Story”) and host of digital content for SiriusXM, Peacock, Roku, Peacock, PlutoTV and Vizio, among others.

Kevin Hart’s two entertainment businesses, HartBeat Productions and Laugh Out Loud, are merging into a single comedy-centered entity called Hartbeat.

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterLaugh Out Loud, the digital comedy brand founded by Kevin Hart, announced a round of promotions and hires to support the company’s growth.Hart will move from CEO to chairman of LOL, continuing to take an active role in the company’s overall comedic vision, content, and talent development.Jeff Clanagan, Hart’s longtime business partner and current president of Laugh Out Loud, will become CEO, focusing on the content side of the business, including development,