Kevin Hart made his first official public appearance since he was seriously injured in a car accident in September.
The 40-year-old actor and comedian received a standing ovation as he took the stage at the E! People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night.
He walked on stage, fittingly, to the tune of Stronger by Kanye West so Robert Downey Jr. could present him with the award for best comedy act of 2019.
“First and foremost, thank God, because I definitely don’t have to be here,” he said. “Being that I am, it makes me appreciate life even more. It makes me appreciate the things that really matter ― family. I want to thank my wife, my kids, who really stepped up to the plate for me.”
Kevin also thanked his fans for their support during his journey back to health.
“You have no idea the effect that you have on us as entertainers ― your energy, your support. It means the world and I truly want to thank you guys for being there for me in my difficult time,” he said.
Kevin has been on the road to recovery since he suffered three spinal fractures when his car, driven by friend Jared Black, veered off a highway in Los Angeles and into a ditch in the early hours of 1 September.
The star underwent spinal surgery and was hospitalised for 10 days.
He later shared dramatic footage on Instagram of the accident’s aftermath and his intense rehabilitation process.
In a statement last month, attorney Andrew Brettler said Kevin was committed to physical therapy and “getting stronger every day.”
He also said the actor was doing “a little work here and there” on his upcoming film Jumanji: The Next Level, but did not anticipate being fully back to work until 2020.