Leah Remini facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leah Remini
Remini in 2018
Born	Leah Marie Remini (1970-06-15) June 15, 1970 (age 55) New York City, U.S.
Education	New York University (currently attending)
Occupation	Actress activist
Years active	1988–present
Spouse(s)	Angelo Pagán ​ ​ (m. 2003; div. 2024)​
Children	1
YouTube information
Genre	Video podcast
Subscribers	179K
Total views	27M

Leah Marie Remini (born June 15, 1970) is an American actress. She is well-known for her roles in TV shows. She played Carrie Heffernan on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens (1998–2007). She also starred as Vanessa Celluci in the CBS sitcom Kevin Can Wait (2017–2018). In both shows, she acted alongside Kevin James.

Remini also helped create and host the A&E documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (2016–2019). For this series, she won two Primetime Emmy Awards. She also co-hosted the daytime talk show The Talk (2010–2011). Remini has appeared in movies like Old School (2003) and Second Act (2018).

Leah Remini was a member of the Church of Scientology for many years. She left the organization in 2013. Two years later, she wrote a book called Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology. This book became a number one bestseller. In 2016, she created her Emmy-winning TV series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. This show gave a voice to people who had left Scientology. Since 2020, Remini has also co-hosted a podcast called Scientology: Fair Game.

Early Life and Background

Leah Marie Remini was born on June 15, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York City. Her mother, Vicki Marshall, and father, George Remini, owned a business. Her mother has Austrian Jewish roots. Her father has Italian family from Sicily. Remini grew up in Bensonhurst.

Remini was baptized Roman Catholic and raised in the Catholic faith as a young child. When she was eight years old, her mother joined the Church of Scientology. After that, Remini was raised as a Scientologist. At 13, Remini and her sister Nicole joined a group within Scientology called the Sea Organization. They were expected to work hard for their living. Remini's mother decided to take her children out of this group within the same year. Remini then moved to Los Angeles, California, with her mother and sisters. She worked to pay for Scientology courses and services.

Leah Remini's Acting Career

Early TV Roles

One of Remini's first TV roles was on Who's the Boss? She played Charlie Briscoe. This led to a spin-off show called Living Dolls, where Remini starred with Halle Berry. The show started in 1989. In 1991, Remini had a role on ABC's sitcom The Man in the Family.

She also had recurring roles on Saved by the Bell as Stacey Carosi. She appeared on Evening Shade as Daisy. Remini then appeared in two other short-lived series, First Time Out (1995) and Fired Up (1997–98).

In the early 1990s, she appeared on Cheers as Serafina. In 1994, Remini tried out for the role of Monica Geller on Friends. The role went to Courteney Cox. However, Remini later appeared in a 1995 Friends episode. She played Lydia, a pregnant woman.

The King of Queens and Beyond

In 1998, Remini got the role of Carrie Heffernan on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens. This show was very popular. It ran for nine seasons, from 1998 to 2007. While on the show, she also appeared in commercials for Quaker State.

Remini had a supporting role in the comedy film Old School (2003). She also starred in her own reality show, Inside Out: Leah Remini. This show on VH1 was about her wedding. Later, VH1 showed another special about the birth of her daughter, Sofia Bella. Remini also appeared in webisodes of In the Motherhood. She made guest appearances on Chelsea Lately.

In 2011, Remini signed a deal with ABC to develop a comedy show for her. Remini competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2013. She was partnered with professional dancer Tony Dovolani. They reached fifth place. She later returned as a guest co-host. In 2013, Remini joined the cast of the TV Land comedy The Exes. She also created, produced, and starred in a reality TV series called Leah Remini: It's All Relative. This show focused on her family life and premiered on TLC in 2014.

In 2017, Remini reunited with Kevin James on the show Kevin Can Wait. She became a regular cast member for season 2. The series was canceled in 2018. In 2017, Remini also appeared in comedy films like Mad Families and Handsome. In 2018, she starred with Jennifer Lopez in the romantic comedy film Second Act. In 2022, Remini became a judge on the dance competition series So You Think You Can Dance. She also hosts the Game Show Network series People Puzzler.

Hosting The Talk

Remini was a co-host in the first season of the CBS daytime talk show, The Talk. It started on October 18, 2010. Other co-hosts included Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Holly Robinson Peete, and Sharon Osbourne. The show discussed topics like motherhood and current issues.

In 2012, there was a public disagreement between Remini and Sharon Osbourne. This happened after Remini and Peete's contracts for The Talk were not renewed. Osbourne made comments about them. Remini responded on Twitter, challenging Osbourne's statements.

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath

Remini created a TV series for A&E called Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. This show focused on people who had left Scientology sharing their experiences. The show first aired on November 29, 2016.

The documentary series won many awards during its three seasons. These included two Emmy Awards. It also won a Reality Television Award for hosting and a Truth to Power Award.

Her Memoir

Remini released her book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, on November 3, 2015. The book was well-received. It quickly became a bestseller, reaching the number one spot on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Personal Life and Beliefs

Leaving Scientology

Leah Remini was a member of the Church of Scientology from age 9. In July 2013, Remini left Scientology. She had questions about how the Church was managed and how some members were treated. She also disagreed with the Church's policy of "disconnection." This policy means members are told to cut ties with people who leave the Church.

After she left, Remini spoke about her experience. She shared her appreciation for those who supported her. Remini's sister Nicole had also left Scientology earlier. The rest of their family left the Church with Remini to avoid being separated by the disconnection policy. Writer and director Paul Haggis, who also left Scientology, thanked Remini for her support.

In August 2013, Remini reported Shelly Miscavige as a missing person to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Shelly Miscavige is the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige. She had not been seen in public since 2007. The LAPD investigated and spoke with Shelly Miscavige. They then closed the investigation, saying Remini's report was "unfounded." Scientology stated that Remini's report was harassment.

In 2023, Remini sued the Church of Scientology and David Miscavige. She accused them of harassment and trying to harm her life and career.

Return to Catholicism

In a 2015 interview, Remini spoke about returning to Catholicism. She found comfort in the practices of the Catholic faith. This was different from her experiences with Scientology.

Family Life

Remini met actor Angelo Pagán in 1996. Pagán has three sons from previous relationships. Remini and Pagán got married in Las Vegas on July 19, 2003. Their daughter, Sofia, was born on June 16, 2004. In September 2015, Sofia was baptized into the Catholic Church. On August 29, 2024, Remini announced that she and Pagán had decided to divorce. Their divorce was finalized in October 2024.

Education

In May 2021, Remini was accepted into an associate's degree program at New York University. She is studying liberal arts.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

See also

In Spanish: Leah Remini para niños