Kevin James

Kevin James is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer best known for his role as Doug Heffernan on the long-running CBS sitcom The King of Queens. His career, which began in stand-up comedy, expanded into leading roles in major studio films, often in collaboration with Adam Sandler and his production company Happy Madison Productions. James has also provided voice work for several animated features and continues to be a prominent figure in American comedy.

Early life and education

Kevin George Knipfing was born in Mineola, New York, and raised in the town of Stony Brook on Long Island. He is the son of Janet, an office worker, and Joseph Valentine Knipfing Jr., who ran an insurance agency. James attended Ward Melville High School where he was a standout athlete, playing varsity football and wrestling. He initially pursued higher education at SUNY Cortland on a partial athletic scholarship but left before graduating to focus on a career in stand-up comedy. He began performing at clubs on Long Island and in New York City, including the famed Comic Strip Live.

Career

James's big break came after being spotted by Ray Romano, which led to multiple appearances on *Late Show with David Letterman*. This exposure helped him secure a development deal with CBS, resulting in the creation of The King of Queens, which premiered in 1998 and ran for nine successful seasons. During the show's run, he made his film debut in the Warner Bros. comedy Hitch opposite Will Smith. Following the sitcom's conclusion, James transitioned to leading film roles, often under the banner of Happy Madison Productions. His starring vehicles include Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Grown Ups, Zookeeper, and Here Comes the Boom. He has also lent his voice to characters in animated films such as Monster House, Hotel Transylvania, and The Angry Birds Movie. In 2016, he returned to CBS with the sitcom Kevin Can Wait, which aired for two seasons.

Filmography

A selection of his notable film and television credits includes the sitcom The King of Queens (1998–2007), the romantic comedy Hitch (2005), and the action comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009). He starred in the ensemble comedies Grown Ups (2010) and its sequel Grown Ups 2 (2013), and provided voice work for Dracula in the Hotel Transylvania franchise. Other film roles include I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), Zookeeper (2011), Here Comes the Boom (2012), and Pixels (2015). His television work also includes producing and starring in Kevin Can Wait (2016–2018) and hosting the game show The Crew (2021).

Personal life

James married actress and model Steffiana de la Cruz in 2004. The couple has four children and resides in Delray Beach, Florida. He is a practicing Roman Catholic and an avid sports fan, particularly of New York teams like the New York Jets and New York Mets. James maintains a private family life but has participated in various charitable events, including those supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Diabetes Research Institute.

Awards and nominations

For his work on The King of Queens, James received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2006. He has also been nominated multiple times for the People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Actor and Favorite Comedic Movie Actor. His film Paul Blart: Mall Cop earned him a Kids' Choice Award nomination for Favorite Movie Actor, and the Hotel Transylvania franchise has been recognized with several Annie Award and Kids' Choice Award nominations for its voice cast.

Category:American male comedians Category:American male film actors Category:American television actors Category:1965 births Category:Living people