Biography for
Kevin James (III) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

26 April 1965, Stony Brook, New York, USA

Birth Name

Kevin George Knipfing

Height

5' 9" (1.75 m)

Mini Biography

Kevin was born April 26, 1965, to Janet and Joseph Valentine Knipfing. He attended Cortland University where he played fullback on the football team while majoring in sports management. He realized after 3 years that this wasn't the path for him. After returning home, he decided to go back home and to break up the monotony of the summer, he joined a community theater. During a play in which he had a comedic role, he so enjoyed the crowd reaction, that he joined his brother's (comedian Gary Valentine's) improv group. He began going to clubs with Gary and realized he, too, had the knack for comedy. He has performed standup up for about 11 years. It was on the comedy circuit that he met Ray Romano. While Ray was getting a big break with his own sitcom, Kevin was getting recognition on "Star Search" (1983). After appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992), his big break came at the 1996 "Just for Laughs" Montreal Comedy Festival. Afterward, he landed a recurring role on Ray's sitcom, "Everybody Loves Raymond" (1996). He has since received his own sitcom "The King of Queens" (1998).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Spouse

Steffiana De La Cruz

(19 June 2004 - present) 3 children

Trivia

April 2000 - lives in an L.A. bachelor pad with his older brother, Gary Valentine, who is also a stand-up comedian.

He was raised in Stony Brook, NY, and graduated from Ward Melville High School (Long Island, New York) in 1983. One of his wrestling teammates at Ward Melville High School was future WWE star and author Mick Foley ("Mankind"). He also attended Cortland University with Mick Foley.

His big break came in 1996 when he won at the "Just for Laughs" Montreal Comedy Festival.

In June 1999 and 2000, he hosted the Florida Sports Awards, the official sports award show for the state of Florida, in Jacksonville, Fla. This event raises funds for the Otis F. Smith Foundation.

He met his wife on a blind date arranged by his interior decorator.

19 June 2004 - He married his longtime girlfriend, model Steffiana De La Cruz, before 180 friends - including Ray Romano - and family members in Dana Point, California.

Is a New York Jets and a New York Mets fan.

His wife, Steffiana, gave birth to their first child, Sienna-Marie on Friday September 30, 2005.

Is an avid golfer and fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Attended Cortland University, along with former wrestler and current best selling author Mick Foley (with whom he also attended high school).

His now-wife Steffiana De La Cruz appears in 4 episodes of his sitcom "The King of Queens" (1998) (in small roles).

One of his teammates on the wrestling team at Ward Melville High School was future WWE star and author Mick Foley.

Born to Janet and Joseph Valentine Knipfing.

Kevin and Steffiana became the parents of a second girl, Shea Joelle James, on June 14, 2007, in Los Angeles. Was named after New York's Shea Stadium.

Close friends with Ray Romano. They met while doing stand-up comedy, on the comedy circuit.

Is a member of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity.

Claims to have run a 4.6 sec. 40-yard dash in high school.

Helped corner Bas Rutten for his comeback fight (win by KO -- Leg Kicks) vs. Ruben Villareal at an MMA event ("Inside MMA" (2007)) held on July 22, 2006.

His wife, Steffiana, gave birth to their third child, a boy named Kannon Valentine James, on April 24, 2011 (Easter Sunday).

Personal Quotes

It was fun because, after shooting, Will and I would eat a jar of pickles and tell each other secrets. It was so much fun! - On Hitch (2005/I).

Salary

"The King of Queens" (1998)

$500,000 an episode for the 2006-2007 final season.