Kevin James

Kevin George Knipfing, better known as Kevin James, is known for his versatile talent as an American comedian, actor, and screenwriter. He began his career in the 1980s by entertaining crowds with his stand-up comedy in clubs across Long Island. He made his breakthrough as Doug Heffernan on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens (1998–2007), which garnered him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2006. James made his film debut in 50 First Dates in 2004, further solidifying his prominence by co-starring in Hitch with Will Smith. His other notable movies include I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009), Grown Ups (2010), Zookeeper (2011), Here Comes the Boom (2012), and Pixels (2015). Besides his acting roles, James also lent his voice to animated movies like Monster House, Barnyard (both 2006), and the first three films of the Hotel Transylvania franchise (2012–2018).

Throughout his career, James has also demonstrated his prowess in dramatic roles, such as The Dilemma (2011), Little Boy (2015), and Becky (2020). His skills extend beyond cinema and television, with successful stand-up comedy performances beginning from 1989, making his debut at Richie Minervini's East Side Comedy Club on Long Island. His humorous personality led him to popular late-night talk shows, and he even had stand-up specials like Kevin James: Sweat the Small Stuff (2001) and Kevin James: Never Don't Give Up (2018). Adding more versatility, James then leveraged his comedy timing for television shows from The New Candid Camera (1991) to his sitcom Kevin Can Wait (2016–2018), and most recently a new show on Netflix called The Crew (2021). His acting journey is further enriched by his film appearances which began with 50 First Dates (2004), leading to his stints as a romantic lead, comic star, and even dramatic roles.