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Kevin James
Kevin-james-dickste-freunde-berlin-17-01-11.jpg
James in 2011
Born
Kevin George Knipfing

(1965-04-26) April 26, 1965 (age 60)
Occupation
  • Comedian
  • actor
  • screenwriter
Years active 1989–present
Spouse(s)
Steffiana de la Cruz
(m. 2004)
Children 4
Relatives Gary Valentine (brother)

Kevin James (born Kevin George Knipfing on April 26, 1965) is a well-known American comedian and actor. He started his career doing stand-up comedy in clubs. He became famous for playing Doug Heffernan in the TV show The King of Queens. This show ran from 1998 to 2007.

Kevin James has also starred in many popular movies. Some of his most famous films include Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Grown Ups, and Pixels. He has also lent his voice to animated movies like Hotel Transylvania.

About Kevin James's Early Life

Kevin George Knipfing was born in Mineola, New York, on April 26, 1965. He grew up in Stony Brook, New York. His father worked in insurance, and his mother was an office worker.

Kevin has an older brother, Gary, and a sister, Leslie. His brother Gary also became a comedian and actor, known as Gary Valentine. The family was raised Catholic.

High School and Sports

Kevin James went to Ward Melville High School. He was a very good wrestler there. He was even the top wrestler on his team. His friend, Mick Foley, who later became a famous professional wrestler, was also on the team.

Kevin played football in college at the State University of New York at Cortland. However, he had a back injury that stopped him from playing sports professionally.

Kevin James's Career Journey

Kevin James started his career in comedy and acting in the late 1980s. He has worked in stand-up, television, and movies.

Starting with Stand-Up Comedy

Kevin James began doing stand-up comedy in 1989. His first show was at a club on Long Island. He chose "James" as his stage name to honor a favorite teacher.

He became popular by appearing on many talk shows. These included The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Show with David Letterman. Comedy Central even listed him as one of the 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians.

Kevin James has also released his own stand-up specials. These include Kevin James: Sweat the Small Stuff (2001), Kevin James: Never Don't Give Up (2018) on Netflix, and Kevin James: Irregardless (2024) on Amazon Prime Video.

Television Roles and Success

Kevin James's first TV job was on The New Candid Camera in 1991. He used his comedy skills to play jokes on people. He also appeared on the MTV sports game show SandBlast.

Later, he moved to Los Angeles and became friends with Ray Romano. He appeared as a guest on Romano's TV show, Everybody Loves Raymond. These appearances helped him get his own show.

Starring in The King of Queens

Kevin James became very famous for his show The King of Queens. It aired on CBS from 1998 to 2007. In the show, he played Doug Heffernan, a parcel delivery man.

Doug was married to Carrie (Leah Remini). Carrie's funny and sometimes strange father, Arthur (Jerry Stiller), lived with them. For his role, Kevin James was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2006.

Kevin James also starred in the sitcom Kevin Can Wait from 2016 to 2018. In 2021, he had a new show on Netflix called The Crew. He is also set to play golfer John Daly in an upcoming TV series.

Big Screen Film Appearances

Kevin-james-at-set-burlington-mall
James on the set of Paul Blart: Mall Cop in 2008

Kevin James made his first movie appearance in 50 First Dates in 2004. His first starring role was in the romantic comedy Hitch (2005), with Will Smith.

He often works with actor Adam Sandler. They have starred together in movies like I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007) and Grown Ups (2010). Grown Ups was so popular it had a sequel in 2013.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Voice Acting

One of his most famous movies is Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009). He played the main character, Paul Blart, a mall security guard. This movie was a big hit, earning over $200 million.

Kevin James has also done voice work for animated films. He voiced characters in Monster House and Barnyard (both 2006). He also voiced Frankenstein in the Hotel Transylvania movie series.

In 2020, he took on a dramatic role in the thriller film Becky. In 2022, he played NFL coach Sean Payton in the movie Home Team.

Other Projects and Activities

Kevin James has been the grand marshal for NASCAR races several times. He did this to promote his movies like I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry and Grown Ups.

He also has a YouTube channel. He started it in 2017 and began posting more videos in 2020. His channel features short films that are often funny and thoughtful.

Kevin James's Personal Life

Steffiana-de-la-Cruz 2011-01-06 photoby Adam-Bielawski
James' wife Steffiana de la Cruz in 2011

Kevin James met actress Steffiana de la Cruz on a blind date. They got married on June 19, 2004. They have four children together. The family lives in California.

Kevin James is a big fan of the New York Mets baseball team. He even threw out the first pitch at one of their games in 2024.

He was raised in a Catholic home and continues to be a devout Catholic. In 2019, he hosted a Catholic retreat.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Pinocchio Mangiafuoco English voice
2004 50 First Dates Factory Worker
2005 Hitch Albert Brennaman
2006 Grilled Dave Direct-to-video
Monster House Officer Landers Voice and motion capture
Barnyard Otis Voice
2007 I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry Firefighter Larry Valentine
2008 You Don't Mess with the Zohan Himself Uncredited cameo
2009 Paul Blart: Mall Cop Paul Blart Also writer and producer
2010 Grown Ups Eric Lamonsoff
2011 The Dilemma Nick Brannen
Zookeeper Griffin Keyes Also writer and producer
2012 Here Comes the Boom Scott Voss
Hotel Transylvania Frankenstein Voice
2013 Grown Ups 2 Eric Lamonsoff
2015 Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 Paul Blart Also writer and producer
Little Boy Dr. Fox
Pixels President William Cooper
Hotel Transylvania 2 Frankenstein Voice
2016 True Memoirs of an International Assassin Sam Larson
2017 Sandy Wexler Ted Rafferty
2018 Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Frankenstein Voice
2020 Becky Dominick
Hubie Halloween Sergeant Steve Downey
2022 Home Team Sean Payton
2024 Monster Summer Edgar Palmer
2025 Guns Up Ray post-production
Playdate Brian post-production
Solo Mio Matt post-production
Happy Gilmore 2 Kevin Richards post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1994-97 A&E's An Evening at the Improv Himself Season 15, Episode 19, Season 16, Episode 3, Season 18, Episode 12, Season 19, Episode 10
1996, 1998–1999 Everybody Loves Raymond Kevin Daniels / Doug Heffernan 8 episodes
1998–2007 The King of Queens Doug Heffernan Lead role (207 episodes)
1998 Cosby Episode: "Judgment Day"
1999 Becker Episode: "Drive, They Said"
Martial Law Kevin Hampton Episode: "Nitro Man"
2001 Arli$$ Kevin Episode: "Like No Business I Know"
Sweat The Small Stuff Himself Stand-up comedy special
2007 Elmo's Christmas Countdown Santa Claus/ Kevin TV special
2015 Liv and Maddie Mr. Kevin Clodfelter Episode: "Cook-a-Rooney"
2016–2018 Kevin Can Wait Kevin Gable Lead role (48 episodes)
2021 The Crew Kevin Gibson Lead role (10 episodes)
2025 Untitled John Daly limited series John Daly Lead role

Stand-up specials

Yeah Title Notes
2001 Sweat the Small Stuff
2018 Never Don't Give Up
2024 Irregardless

Awards and Nominations

Kevin James has been nominated for several awards throughout his career.

Teen Choice Awards

Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2005 Hitch Choice Movie: Dance Scene Nominated
Choice Movie: Liplock
2015 Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 Choice Movie Actor: Comedy Nominated

Primetime Emmy Awards

Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2006 The King of Queens; episode: "Pole Lox" Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated

Golden Raspberry Awards

Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2008 I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry Worst Supporting Actor Nominated
Worst Screen Couple
2014 Grown Ups 2 Worst Screen Combo Nominated
2016 Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 Worst Actor Nominated
Worst Picture
Worst Screenplay
Pixels Worst Supporting Actor Nominated

People's Choice Awards

Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2017 Kevin Can Wait Favorite Actor in a New TV Series Nominated

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kevin James (actor) para niños

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