Comedy superstar Kevin Hart‘s international box office success has translated into a different kind of gold, as he’s now the recipient of this year’s CinemaCon Comedy Star of the Year Award.

Hart will receive this award at the annual ceremony at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 23.

Mitch Neuhauser, the managing director of CinemaCon, detailed the Ride Along success: “With a tireless work ethic and a comedic timing that is unlike no other, Kevin Hart has become box-office gold, with his films drawing moviegoers to the theaters in droves,” noted Neuhauser. “An outstanding comedic talent and one of the most entertaining comedians in film today, Kevin has brought laughter to audiences around the world, cementing himself at the top of the box office. We could not be more thrilled than to honor him with the ‘CinemaCon Comedy Star of the Year Award.’”

His come up from shoe salesman to breakout comedy star was gradual, but has led Hart to starring in hit after hit (Ride Along, The Wedding Ringer), producing television shows (Real Husbands of Hollywood), and playing sold out stand-up shows around the world. You can catch him next co-starring with Will Ferrell in the film Get Hard, which opens in theaters March 27. After his upcoming What Now? arena comedy tour, Hart will co-star with Ice Cube in Ride Along 2, the sequel to the runaway smash hit from 2013. Check out the trailer for Get Hard here.

-Dylan “CineMasai” Green