Some videos just live forever. You know the ones. You’re scrolling through a feed at 2 a.m., and suddenly, there’s a tiny comedian screaming for his life while a late-night host gets pelted by a bug. Honestly, the Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Hart roller coaster segment is the "Stairway to Heaven" of late-night clips. It’s been over a decade since it first aired, and it still pulls millions of views. Why? Because watching absolute, unadulterated terror is apparently the universal language of comedy.
It happened back in June 2014. The Tonight Show had decamped to Universal Studios Orlando for a week of remote broadcasts. Kevin Hart was there to promote Think Like a Man Too. Most guests do a couch interview, tell a charming anecdote about a costar, and head to the airport. Not Kevin. Jimmy Fallon, being the professional instigator he is, knew about Kevin’s legendary fear of heights.
He didn't just ask him to ride a "kinda" scary ride. He dragged him onto the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
The Most Uncomfortable Vertical Climb in TV History
If you’ve never seen the Rip Ride Rockit in person, it’s intimidating. It starts with a 90-degree vertical climb. You aren't sitting; you’re lying on your back looking at the Florida clouds while a chain lift clanks you toward the sun.
Kevin’s face during that climb? Pure art.
He looked like a man who had accepted his fate but was still really mad about it. He was dressed in a simple white t-shirt, looking completely unprepared for the 65 mph chaos he was about to endure. Jimmy, meanwhile, was doing that thing Jimmy does—laughing through his own nerves to keep the bit going. But once that coaster crested the top, the "bit" became very real.
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The physics of a roller coaster are usually pretty predictable. You go up, you come down, your stomach stays behind. But when you add the dynamic of one of the world's most energetic comedians losing his mind, it becomes something else. Kevin wasn't just screaming; he was going through the five stages of grief in under three minutes.
That Bug Incident and the Slow-Mo Replay
The "bug moment" is where the Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Hart roller coaster video moves from "funny" to "legendary."
At one point during the high-speed twists, a large Florida bug—likely a lovebug or a beetle, given the season—decides to collide with Jimmy Fallon’s face. It’s a one-in-a-million shot. The cameras mounted to the front of the coaster car caught it in crisp detail. Jimmy actually looks like he’s been slapped by a tiny, invisible hand.
When they get back to the station, Kevin is basically a ghost. He’s slumped. He’s done with life. And then Jimmy makes him watch the replay.
- The initial shock: Kevin realization that he survived.
- The bug reveal: Watching the slow-motion footage of the insect hitting Jimmy.
- The betrayal: Jimmy joking that they should "go again."
Kevin’s reaction to the suggestion of a second lap is arguably the funniest part of the whole segment. It’s a flat, soul-shattering "No." No hesitation. No room for negotiation.
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Why Rip Ride Rockit Was the Perfect Choice
Maurer Rides, the German manufacturer behind the coaster, designed it as an "X-Car" model. It’s known for being a bit "rattly" compared to the smooth-as-glass modern coasters like VelociCoaster. This added to the comedy. The car vibrates. You feel every inch of that track.
Interestingly, as of late 2025, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit has officially closed its doors at Universal Studios Florida. It had a long run, but it was time. This makes the Fallon and Hart video a bit of a time capsule. You can’t go out and recreate that exact fear anymore—at least not on that specific track.
The Science of Why We Love Watching People Be Scared
There is a real psychological reason why this specific Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Hart roller coaster clip stayed viral for twelve years. It’s called "benign masochism." It’s the same reason we eat spicy food or watch horror movies. We like the rush of "danger" without the actual threat.
When we watch Kevin Hart—a man who is usually in total control of a stage in front of 20,000 people—completely lose that control, it’s relatable. We’ve all been the person on the coaster who regrets every life choice that led to that moment.
What Actually Happened Behind the Scenes?
People often ask if it was staged. Having worked in production circles, I can tell you: you can't fake that kind of sweat.
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The production crew at Universal had to mount heavy-duty, vibration-resistant cameras to the front of the "train." Usually, these trains have a plastic shield on the front, but for this shoot, they removed it to get a clear shot of their faces. This is probably why Jimmy got hit by that bug. Without the shield, they were totally exposed to the Florida elements at 60 miles per hour.
Kevin Hart later admitted in interviews that his fear was 100% genuine. He really does hate those things. He did it because he’s a professional and he knew it would be great television. He was right.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Universal Trip
If you’re heading to Orlando and want to channel your inner Hart (or Fallon), things look a little different now. With the Rockit closed, the thrill-seekers have moved elsewhere.
- Hit the VelociCoaster: If you want the most intense "I might die" feeling (safely), this is the current king of the park. It's smoother than Rockit but way faster.
- Check the "Race Through New York": If you’re a Fallon fan, his actual ride is right nearby. It’s a 3D simulator, so there are no bugs hitting your face. It's much safer for people like Kevin.
- Prepare for the humidity: If you're riding a coaster in Florida, keep your mouth closed. Seriously. Jimmy learned the hard way. The bug population in Orlando is no joke, especially around sunset.
The Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Hart roller coaster video is a masterclass in organic chemistry. You can't script a bug flying into a late-night host's cheek while a movie star prays to every deity he can think of. It was a perfect storm of timing, fear, and high-definition slow motion. Even though the ride itself is gone, the footage of those two men screaming over the Florida skyline is likely going to stay in the YouTube Hall of Fame forever.