Actor-comedian Kevin Hart, like many others, has a fear of wild animals, and it became apparent when he joined the late Steve Irwin’s son, Robert Irvin, on the late-night talk show The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. As he joined the show, he had no idea what was in store for him when Robert Irwin, known for his fearless approach to handling wildlife, decided to introduce Hart to a “cute and cuddly” animal.
Kevin Hart, who has admitted having a fear of animals, could not hide his terror, remaining on high alert for the appearance of each subsequent animal and as Irwin persistently attempted to persuade him to hold the creatures throughout the show.
When Kevin Hart’s Phobia Took Center Stage With Wildlife Surprise
During a 2018 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Kevin Hart was introduced to a range of wild animals by the late zookeeper and wildlife educator Steve Irwin’s son, Robert Irwin. The actor in no way tried to hide his terror as he took measures to keep a distance from Irwin and his animals.
Starting with what Irwin described as “cute and cuddly,” Hart was first introduced to a baby Ostrich followed by a pair of snakes, LeBron and Elvis, a tarantula, and a Falcon bird. A terrified Kevin Hart, however, refused to hold any of the animals, saying, “You can kiss my as*.”
Despite the controlled environment and the presence of trained handlers ensuring safety at every turn, Hart did not agree to hold on to any animals until the end, when he finally held the Falcon with an expert’s help. Kevin Hart has been very open about his fear of animals and the things he had to endure while filming the fantasy adventure movie Jumanji.
Robert Irwin Keeping His Late Father’s Legacy Alive
Robert Irwin, the son of the beloved wildlife expert Steve Irwin, continues to honor his father’s legacy with a burning dedication to conservation and wildlife education. Steve Irwin passed away at age 44 after being struck by a stingray barb in September 2006. He was survived by his wife, Terri Irwin, and his two kids, Robert Irwin, who was just 2 years old at the time, and Bindi Irwin, who was 8.
Both Robert Irwin and Bindi Irwin have carried on the legacy of their late father, who dedicated his life to the conservation of endangered animals and land clearing. “I’ll always just feel so lucky that I had the most amazing dad in the world, who was literally a superhero,” he said during an interview, as per People.
Robert Irwin has made notable appearances in various television shows and films focused on wildlife and has also been a prominent contributor to photography for Australia Zoo’s Crikey magazine. In 2017, Robert Irwin was honored as a member and ambassador of Scouts Australia, with an aim to inspire the youth of Australia to engage with wilderness and conservation efforts.
In 2023, it was announced that Irwin would take over from Dr. Chris Brown as the co-host of Network 10’s reality television show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! alongside Julia Morris, with the tenth season slated to premiere in 2024. Meanwhile, his sister Bindi Irwin also continues to work with her family to share her message of conservation. She has also been married to Chandler Powell, and together they have welcomed a beautiful daughter.
