Gary Valentine

Gary Valentine, born Gary Joseph Knipfing on November 22, 1961 in Mineola, New York, is an American actor and stand‑up comedian best known for his recurring roles on popular sitcoms. Raised in a Catholic household of German and Greek descent, he is the older brother of comedian Kevin James and grew up alongside sister Leslie, absorbing a blend of cultural humor that would later define his on‑stage persona. After graduating, Valentine honed his craft on the comedy circuit, and a breakthrough performance at the Montreal Comedy Festival propelled him to Los Angeles where he quickly secured spots on television talk shows such as The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His distinctive comedic timing and familial chemistry led to his casting as Danny Heffernan, the cousin of Kevin James' character Doug Heffernan, in the hit series The King of Queens, a role he embodied for nine seasons and which cemented his place in sitcom history. Valentine later expanded his television résumé with a recurring part as Kyle Gable, Kevin James' older brother, on Kevin Can Wait from 2016 to 2018, and made guest appearances on shows like Men of a Certain Age and Chelsea Lately. On the big screen, his filmography includes supporting roles in Stuck on You, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, the Paul Blart Mall Cop series, and the Dog Who Saved Christmas franchise, showcasing his versatility across comedy and family‑friendly movies. Beyond acting, he has headlined comedy tours nationwide, released a half‑hour special on Comedy Central, and hosted The X Show on FX, maintaining a steady presence in both stand‑up venues and television. His collaborations with Happy Madison Productions and frequent guest spots on Comics Unleashed illustrate a career built on consistent humor, strong industry relationships, and a dedication to entertaining audiences across multiple platforms.