Hartbeat taps ex-WarnerMedia exec Jay Levine as CEO after Randolph’s exit

Actor Kevin Hart’s LA-based media company Hartbeat has appointed former WarnerMedia exec Jay Levine as its new CEO.

Jay Levine

Levine, who was previously chief strategy officer and exec VP of business operations at WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, will oversee all aspects of Hartbeat’s business, including development, production, marketing, distribution and other exploitation of its IP.

He succeeds former CEO Thai Randolph, who stepped down at the end of 2023 after seven years with the company.

Levine previously spent over a decade with WarnerMedia and Warner Bros. As strategy and operations head at WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, Levine oversaw the likes of WB Pictures Group, HBO and HBO Max programming, Warner Bros Television Group, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Warner Bros Animation, TBS, TNT and DC, as well as consumer products, global brands and experiences. He left WarnerMedia in 2022 following its merger with Discovery to form Warner Bros Discovery.

While at Warner Bros, he also handled corporate business development and strategy that led all M&A, strategic investments and divestitures.

Hartbeat released 23 projects in 2023 across TV, film, digital and audio, in addition to nearly doubling its staff and opening a new LA headquarters. The company’s credits include Die Hart (Roku), comedy movie Me Time (Netflix) and action thriller Lift, which premiered on Netflix last month.

Its upcoming releases include the revival of stand-up comedy franchise Comic View on BET+, coming-of-age comedy Prom Dates on Hulu and season 10 of Hart’s athlete interview series Cold as Balls.

Hartbeat has partnerships in place including a production deal with Netflix, while NBCUniversal’s Peacock is an equity investor in the company.

“With Jay’s extensive background, leadership and relationships, we will continue to build on our successes and bring value to our partners and consumers across all of our businesses,” said Hart.

Levine added: “I look forward to working with the team, along with all of Hartbeat’s incredible partners and brands, as we set out to take the company to the next level.”