Kevin James

Who Is Kevin James?

Born in 1965 in Mineola, New York, Kevin James embarked on a promising career in comedy during his college years. His breakthrough came in 1998 when he was cast as Doug Heffernan on The King of Queens, a role that catapulted him to prominence and solidified his status in the entertainment industry. The show ran until 2007, marking a significant chapter in his career. Following this success, James expanded his repertoire with notable film roles in Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Here Comes the Boom. In 2016, he made a return to television with the sitcom Kevin Can Wait, continuing to build on his extensive body of work.

Early Life

Kevin James, originally named Kevin George Knipfing, was born on April 26, 1965, in Mineola, New York, to Janet and Joseph Valentine Knipfing. The family later moved to Stony Brook, Long Island, where James attended Ward Melville High School. An enthusiastic sportsman, James showcased his athletic prowess as a tailback on the high school football team. Upon graduating in 1983, he pursued higher education at SUNY Cortland, majoring in sports management while continuing his football career.

Foray into Comedy

At Cortland, a public speaking course ignited James’s passion for the stage. Upon returning to Long Island, he auditioned for a comedic role in a Shoreham-Wading River Community Theater production, securing the part and excelling in it. Inspired by the enthusiastic audience response and his growing affinity for comedy, James decided not to return to college. Instead, he spent time with his brother, Gary Valentine, who performed with an improv group at Long Island’s now-defunct East Side Comedy Club in Huntington Station. It was here that James also formed a lasting friendship with actor and comedian Mookie Barker.

During this period, James developed a close relationship with club owner Richie Minervini and adopted the stage name Kevin James in tribute to a beloved teacher. Minervini offered James a five-minute stand-up slot at the comedy club, an opportunity he eagerly embraced. His debut performance was a resounding success, leading to regular appearances on the Long Island comedy circuit and a budding friendship with fellow comedian Ray Romano. To support himself, James worked at a local warehouse.

Recognition

James dedicated approximately a decade to refining and perfecting his act, ultimately making the transition to performing at prominent venues in New York City. As he established himself in the industry, he became a regular guest on late-night talk shows and was notably invited to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In 1996, James’s performance at the Montreal Comedy Festival led to a network development deal. Following several appearances on Romano’s acclaimed sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, Romano and James co-wrote a script designed to position James as the lead in a new series. The script was presented to CBS head Les Moonves, who was impressed by James’s relatable, everyman approach to comedy.

‘King of Queens’ and ‘Kevin Can Wait’

On September 21, 1998, CBS launched the sitcom The King of Queens, featuring Kevin James as Doug Heffernan, a relatable “average Joe,” Leah Remini as his witty wife, and Jerry Stiller as his quirky father-in-law. The series established itself as a prime-time staple, achieving consistent ratings throughout its nine-season run. The King of Queens concluded in 2007, earning James an Emmy nomination for his performance.

In 2016, James made a return to CBS with Kevin Can Wait, a comedy series where he portrayed a retired Long Island police officer. The show was renewed for a second season in 2017, which saw the reappearance of Leah Remini as part of the cast.

In the latter part of 2017, following Kevin Spacey’s dismissal from House of Cards due to allegations of sexual harassment, a Change.org petition emerged advocating for James to assume Spacey’s role as Frank Underwood. By November 6, the petition had garnered nearly 18,000 signatures.

Film Career

In 2005, James collaborated with Romano to co-star in the HBO special Making the Cut: The Road to Pebble Beach, which earned a Sports Emmy nomination. That same year, he made his feature film debut in the romantic comedy Hitch, alongside Will Smith.

James further expanded his film repertoire by partnering with Adam Sandler for I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007). He co-wrote and starred in Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009), showcasing his versatility in comedy. In 2010, he reunited with Sandler, along with Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade, for the ensemble comedy Grown Ups.

James explored a more dramatic role in The Dilemma (2011) before returning to his comedic roots with Zookeeper (2011), Hotel Transylvania (2012), and Here Comes the Boom (2012). He revisited familiar characters in Grown Ups 2 (2013) and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015), and embraced new roles in True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016) and Sandy Wexler (2017).

Personal Life

James, a devout Catholic, married his longtime girlfriend Steffiana De La Cruz—whom he met on a blind date—in 2004 at St. Edward Catholic Church. The couple welcomed their first child, Sienna-Marie, in 2005. They subsequently expanded their family with three more children: daughter Shea Joelle (born in 2007), son Kannon Valentine (born in 2011), and daughter Sistine Sabella (born in 2015).