The comedian from North Philadelphia has been candid about his father’s struggle with drug addiction while he was growing up.

Kevin Hart recently announced the passing of his father, Henry Witherspoon, at the age of 73. Hart, who also lost his mother to ovarian cancer in 2007, expressed his appreciation for the bond he shared with his father by sending a heartfelt message on Instagram, “Give mom a hug for me.”

The 43-year-old actor did not provide details on his father’s passing, but reports suggested that Witherspoon had been dealing with various health problems in recent years.

Hart recently visited Robert Morris Elementary School in Brewerytown, Philadelphia, where he generously shared copies of his new children’s book, “Marcus Makes It Big.”

Growing up in North Philadelphia, just a block away from a mural dedicated to him at Max’s Cheesesteaks on Broad and Erie Avenue, Hart has been open about his challenging relationship with his father in his 2017 memoir, “I Can’t Make This Up.”

Despite his father’s absence and struggles with addiction during his childhood, Hart emphasized that his father is still very much his dad and that they were able to reconcile their differences. Hart recalled a difficult childhood memory when his father stole $20 from his birthday money to feed his drug habit, revealing his father’s struggles with heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine.

When Hart and his older brother Robert persuaded their father to check himself into a rehab facility, he finally turned his life around and found love. This was the beginning of his father’s road to recovery.

When Hart thought back on his childhood, he realized how those events molded him and gave him important life lessons. He feels that he may have reacted differently to success—possibly even meeting a similar end—had his father not been alive or not battled addiction.

Despite the challenges, Hart made it a point to support his father as he found his footing in life again, providing him with a home, car, and financial support to spend time with his grandchildren. Hart’s forgiveness towards his father stemmed from forgiving himself for his own mistakes, such as a cheating scandal that threatened his marriage.

With four children from two different marriages, Hart understands that nobody is perfect and that people make mistakes. He emphasizes the importance of not holding onto judgment for things that cannot be changed, showing a deep level of empathy and understanding towards his father’s struggles.