View source for Kevin James

{{short description|American comedian and actor (born 1965)}}
{{other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Kevin James
| image              = Kevin James 2011 (Cropped).jpg
| caption            = James in 2011
| birth_name         = Kevin George Knipfing
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1965|4|26}}
| birth_place        = [[Mineola, New York]], U.S.
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|writer}}
| years_active       = 1989–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|Steffiana de la Cruz|2004}}
| relatives          = [[Gary Valentine]] (brother)
| children           = 4
| website            = {{URL|http://www.kevinjames.com/}}
}}

'''Kevin George Knipfing''' (born April 26, 1965), known professionally as '''Kevin James''', is an American comedian and actor. James began his career by performing stand-up comedy at clubs on [[Long Island]] in the 1980s. He rose to prominence in the 2000s for playing [[Doug Heffernan]] on the [[CBS]] sitcom ''[[The King of Queens]]'' (1998–2007), for which he received the nomination for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series]] in 2006.

In 2004, James made his first film appearance in ''[[50 First Dates]]'', and the following year co-starred in ''[[Hitch (film)|Hitch]]''. He went on to star in ''[[I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry]]'' (2007), ''[[Paul Blart: Mall Cop]]'' (2009), ''[[Grown Ups (film)|Grown Ups]]'' (2010), ''[[Zookeeper (film)|Zookeeper]]'' (2011), ''[[Here Comes the Boom]]'' (2012), and ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'' (2015). He also voiced characters in the animated films ''[[Monster House (film)|Monster House]]'', ''[[Barnyard (film)|Barnyard]]'' (both 2006), and ''[[Hotel Transylvania (film)|Hotel Transylvania]]'' (2012). He also was nominated for a [[People's Choice Award]] in 2017 for his role on the CBS sitcom ''[[Kevin Can Wait]]'' (2016–2018). James also appeared in several dramatic roles, including ''[[The Dilemma]]'' (2011), ''[[Little Boy (film)|Little Boy]]'' (2015), and ''[[Becky (2020 film)|Becky]]'' (2020).

==Early life==
Kevin George Knipfing was born in [[Mineola, New York]], on April 26, 1965,<ref name="filmref">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/52/Kevin-James.html|title=Kevin James Biography |publisher=Film Reference}}</ref> to office worker Janet Klein and insurance agency owner Joseph Valentine Knipfing Jr. He has German ancestry.<ref name=filmref/><ref name=filmref2>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0416673/bio/|title=Kevin James Biography |publisher=imdb.com|access-date=March 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/newsday/name/joseph-knipfing-obituary?id=5100764 | title=Joseph Knipfing Obituary (2006) - New York, NY - Newsday | website=[[Legacy.com]] }}</ref> He grew up in [[Stony Brook, New York]].<ref name= NYTimesKonig>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DEFD8113AF937A25752C1A96F958260 |first=Susan|last=Konig|title=L.I.'s Biggest Export? Try Standup Comedy|work=The New York Times|date=November 14, 1999|quote=Mr. James was born in Mineola, but his family soon moved to Stony Brook college, where he graduated from Ward Melville High School.}}</ref> He has a sister named Leslie and an older brother named [[Gary Valentine|Gary]],  who also became a comedian and actor (adopting the stage name Gary Valentine).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1804503486/bio|work=Yahoo! Movies|title=Kevin James Biography|access-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref> The siblings were raised [[Catholicism|Catholic]]. James graduated from [[Ward Melville High School]],<ref name= NYTimesusan>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DEFD8113AF937A25752C1A96F958260 |first=Susan|last=Konig|title=L.I.'s Biggest Export? Try Standup Comedy|work=The New York Times |date=November 14, 1999| quote=Mr. James was born in Mineola, but his family soon moved to Stony Brook college, where he graduated from Ward Melville High School.}}</ref> where he reached the top position on the [[Collegiate wrestling|wrestling]] team, one spot above his friend and future professional wrestler [[Mick Foley]]. Both wrestled in the Heavyweight weight class. When James suffered a season-ending back injury, Foley took over the first string position.<ref name=hwoodreporter>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/general/kevin-james-reunited-with-high-school-wrestling-pal-mick-foley-on-tv-57359135|title=Kevin James reunited with high school wrestling pal Mick Foley on TV|author=WENN|work=Hollywood.com|date=July 13, 2013|access-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref> Both men went on to study at the [[State University of New York at Cortland]], where James played halfback on the varsity [[College football|football]] team until another back injury permanently ended his sporting ambitions.<ref name= NYTimesusan/><ref name="msndotcom">{{cite web|url=http://www.msn.com/en-ae/entertainment/people/kevin-james/AA3lDVo|title=Search Results – Entertainment|website=[[MSN]]|access-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref>

==Career==
===Stand-up===
James began doing [[stand-up comedy]] in 1989, making his debut at Richie Minervini's East Side Comedy Club on [[Long Island]].<ref name= NYTimesusan /> He also started performing comedy with a troupe at the club, during which time he adopted "James" as his [[stage name|stage surname]] in honor of his favorite school teacher.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.biography.com/actors/kevin-james | title=Kevin James | date=September 12, 2022 }}</ref> He gained popularity through numerous appearances on various talk shows, including ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'', ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'', ''[[Dennis Miller Live]]'', ''[[The Late Late Show (American talk show)|The Late Late Show]]'', ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'', ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'', and ''[[Live with Regis and Kathie Lee]]''. James was listed at No. 76 on [[Comedy Central]]'s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians. James has also done his stand-up routine on ''[[Just for Laughs]]'', an annual comedy festival in [[Montreal]], Quebec. Later he was on commercials for [[Mazzio's|Mazzio's Italian Eatery]]. In 2001, James did his own stand-up special called ''Kevin James: Sweat the Small Stuff''. He has also appeared as a musical guest on ''Just for Laughs''. In 2018, James released another stand-up special on [[Netflix]] called ''Kevin James: Never Don't Give Up''. In 2024, James released his third special on [[Amazon Prime Video]] called ''Kevin James: Irregardless''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Howell |first=Josie |title='Kevin James: Irregardless' comedy special: How to watch, where to stream|url=https://www.al.com/tv/2024/01/kevin-james-irregardless-comedy-special-how-to-watch-where-to-stream.html|work=[[The Birmingham News|AL.com]] |date=January 22, 2024}}</ref>

=== Television ===

James' first television job was in 1991 on ''The New Candid Camera'', where he used his comedy timing and improvisation skills playing the actor that pulled practical jokes on unsuspecting people. He appeared in ''A&E's An Evening at the Improv'' in 1994.<ref>{{cite episode |title= Vincent Schiavelli, Johnny Dark, Kevin James, and More! |series= A&E's An Evening at the Improv |date= 1994 |season = 15 |number= 19 }}</ref> James appeared on television as the announcer for the [[MTV]] sports game show ''SandBlast'' from 1994 to 1996.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

James later moved to Los Angeles and befriended [[Ray Romano]], and he guest-starred on a few episodes of Romano's hit [[CBS]] sitcom, ''[[Everybody Loves Raymond]]''. These appearances led to the development of his own sitcom, ''[[The King of Queens]]'', which ran on CBS from September 21, 1998, to May 14, 2007, James played [[working class]] parcel delivery man [[Doug Heffernan]] who works for a company known as IPS. He is married to [[Carrie Heffernan|Carrie]] ([[Leah Remini]]), a sharp-tongued, ambitious secretary at a [[Manhattan]] law firm who is far less content with working-class life in [[Queens]]. Her obsessive, vindictive father, [[Arthur Spooner|Arthur]] ([[Jerry Stiller]]), who is prone toward bizarre conduct, lives with them. For his work on the [[List of The King of Queens episodes#Season 8 (2005–06)|eighth season]], James was nominated for a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/kevin-james|title=Kevin James Emmy Nominated|publisher=Emmys.com|access-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref>

James hosted the 2010 [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]] on March 27, 2010. He was nominated to be the inaugural member of the "Arm Fart Hall of Fame" in the [[2011 Kids' Choice Awards|following year's show]], with host Jack Black calling him Kevin "Not-Quite-As-Good-As-[[Jack Black|Me]]" James. He and fellow nominee [[Kaley Cuoco]] lost in fan voting to [[Josh Duhamel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kevin-james-host-kids-choice-20724|title=Kevin James to host Kids' Choice Awards|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=March 16, 2010|access-date=April 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/lat-bwkidduhame_lj21wvnc20110402195527-photo.html|title=Kevin James was robbed!|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 15, 2014 |access-date=April 23, 2017}}</ref>

James starred in the sitcom ''[[Kevin Can Wait]]'', which premiered on September 19, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/kevin-james-cbs-family-comedy-series-king-of-queens-1201566300|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010094421/http://deadline.com/2015/10/kevin-james-cbs-family-comedy-series-king-of-queens-1201566300/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 10, 2015|title=Kevin James Returns To CBS With New Family Comedy Series|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=October 9, 2015|access-date=April 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/cbs-fall-premiere-dates-2016-1201776569 |title=CBS Sets Fall 2016 Premiere Dates, Slates JonBenet Ramsey Limited Series |last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 21, 2016|access-date=June 21, 2016| archive-date= October 4, 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161004185632/http://deadline.com/2016/06/cbs-fall-premiere-dates-2016-1201776569/| url-status=dead}}</ref> The series was renewed for a second season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/cbs-early-renewals-macgyver-superior-donuts-life-in-pieces-hawaii-five-0-blue-bloods-1202049276/|title=CBS Renews 5 Freshman & 11 Returning Series, Including 'MacGyver', 'Superior Donuts', 'Life In Pieces' & 'Hawaii Five-0'|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=March 23, 2017 |access-date=April 23, 2017}}</ref> before being canceled at the season's end.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

In 2021, James released a new show on Netflix called ''[[The Crew (2021 TV series)|The Crew]]''.<ref>{{cite web | last=Skopp | first=Sam | title=What We Know So Far | website=Looper | date=2021-02-23 | url=https://www.looper.com/340272/the-crew-season-2-release-date-plot-cast-what-we-know-so-far/ | access-date=2025-07-01}}</ref> It was canceled after one season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kimball |first=Trevor |date=2021-07-06 |title=The Crew: Cancelled at Netflix; Kevin James Comedy Not Returning for a Second Season |url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/the-crew-cancelled-at-netflix-kevin-james-comedy-not-returning-for-a-second-season/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=canceled + renewed TV shows – TV Series Finale}}</ref>

In 2024, [[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] reported that James is set to portray [[John Daly (golfer)|John Daly]], in the upcoming series.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

===Film===
[[File:Kevin-james-at-set-burlington-mall.jpg|thumb|right|James on the set of ''[[Paul Blart: Mall Cop]]'' in 2008]]

After a cameo in ''[[50 First Dates]]'' in 2004, James made his starring film debut in the 2005 romantic comedy ''[[Hitch (film)|Hitch]]'', alongside [[Will Smith]] and [[Eva Mendes]]. In 2006, he co-starred with his ''Everybody Loves Raymond'' colleague [[Ray Romano]] in the straight-to-video comedy ''[[Grilled (film)|Grilled]]'', and provided voice work in the [[animation|animated]] films ''[[Monster House (film)|Monster House]]'' and ''[[Barnyard (film)|Barnyard]]'', released on July 21 and August 4, respectively, of that year. James co-starred with [[Adam Sandler]] in the comedies ''[[I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry]]'' (2007) and ''[[You Don't Mess with the Zohan]]'' (2008), and starred in the Sandler-produced comedy ''[[Paul Blart: Mall Cop]]'' (2009). The latter film opened as the No. 1 film in North America with a weekend gross of $39 million, despite overwhelmingly negative reviews,<ref>{{cite web|title=Critics' reviews for Paul Blart:Mall Cop|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/paul-blart-mall-cop/critic-reviews|work=metacritic.com}}</ref> and eventually grossed $219 million from ticket and home video sales. James also appeared in ''[[Grown Ups (film)|Grown Ups]]'' (2010), which co-starred numerous ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' alumni and was even more universally panned, yet was highly successful at the box office<ref>{{cite web|title=Critics' reviews for Grown Ups|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/grown-ups/critic-reviews|work=metacritic.com}}</ref> and led to a [[Grown Ups 2|sequel in 2013]].{{cn|date=July 2025}}

In 2011, he had a lead role with [[Vince Vaughn]] in the comedy-drama ''[[The Dilemma]]'' and then with [[Rosario Dawson]] in ''[[Zookeeper (film)|Zookeeper]]'', which he wrote and produced. James also had the lead role in the 2012 [[mixed martial arts]] comedy film ''[[Here Comes the Boom]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1237731-ufc-movie-here-comes-the-boom-starring-kevin-james-releases-new-trailer|title=MMA-Themed Movie 'Here Comes the Boom' Starring Kevin James Releases New Trailer|publisher=Bleacher Report|date=June 27, 2012 |access-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref> He again provided voice work in the first three films of the [[Hotel Transylvania|''Hotel Transylvania'' franchise]] (2012–2018). He starred as well in the movies ''[[Little Boy (film)|Little Boy]]'' and ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'' (both 2015), and the following year in ''[[True Memoirs of an International Assassin]]'', directed by [[Jeff Wadlow]] and released by Netflix on November 11, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/true-memoirs-of-an-international-assassin-netflix-kevin-james-1201500854/|title=Netflix Buys Kevin James' 'True Memoirs of an International Assassin' – Variety|author=Ramin Setoodeh|work=Variety|date=May 19, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=True Memoirs of an International Assassin Premieres November 11 on Netflix |url=https://media.netflix.com/en/press-releases/true-memoirs-of-an-international-assassin-premieres-november-11-on-netflix|access-date=September 25, 2016|publisher=[[Netflix]] |date=September 2, 2016}}</ref> In 2017, James co-starred with [[Adam Sandler]] in another Netflix film, ''[[Sandy Wexler]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kevin-james-terry-crews-rob-913578|title=Kevin James, Terry Crews, Rob Schneider Join Adam Sandler's 'Sandy Wexler' (Exclusive)|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=July 26, 2016}}</ref>

James had a lead dramatic role in the 2020 thriller film ''[[Becky (2020 film)|Becky]]''. He starred as [[National Football League|NFL]] head coach [[Sean Payton]] in the 2022 biographical film ''[[Home Team (2022 film)|Home Team]]''. Since 2024, James has mostly appeared in comedy films, including ''[[Guns Up (film)|Guns Up]]'', ''[[Playdate (film)|Playdate]]'' and ''[[Solo Mio]]''.

===Other work===
In 2007, he was the grand marshal for the [[Pepsi 400]] promoting ''[[I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry]]'' and saying "Gentlemen, start your engines".<ref>{{cite web |title=KEVIN JAMES NAMED GRAND MARSHAL FOR 49TH ANNUAL PEPSI 400 AT DAYTONA |url=https://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2007/06/Kevin-James-Named-Grand-Marshal-For-49Th-Annual-Pepsi-400-At-Daytona.aspx |website=daytonainternationalspeedway.com |publisher=Daytona International Speedway |access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> He did it again in June 2010 with friend and fellow actor [[Adam Sandler]] to promote ''[[Grown Ups (film)|Grown Ups]]'', in 2012 at the fall Talladega race to promote ''[[Here Comes the Boom]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Douglass |first1=Bryant |title=Kevin James to Serve as Grand Marshall |url=https://beyondtheflag.com/2012/09/29/kevin-james-to-serve-as-grand-marshall/ |website=beyondtheflag.com |date=September 29, 2012 |publisher=FanSided, Inc. |access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref> and in July 2013 at the Coke-Zero 400 with co-stars Sandler and [[Shaquille O'Neal]] to promote ''[[Grown Ups 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bianchi |first1=Jordan |title=Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Shaquille O'Neal sing command to start engines |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2013/7/6/4499672/2013-nascar-daytona-international-coke-zero-400-Adam-Sandler-Kevin-James-Shaquille-ONeal |website=sbnation.com |date=July 6, 2013 |publisher=Vox Media, LLC |access-date=January 26, 2020}}</ref> Both the 2007 Pepsi 400 command and June 2010 command at Michigan with Sandler have since been voted as two of the best and most memorable [[NASCAR]] commands in history by fans.

A web series titled ''Dusty Peacock'' produced by James and starring his brother Gary Valentine began streaming on [[Crackle (company)|Crackle]] in July 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tilzy.tv/kevin-james-gary-valentine-get-reckless-on-dusty-peacock.htm |title=Kevin James, Gary Valentine Get Reckless on 'Dusty Peacock'|publisher=Tilzy.tv|date=July 17, 2009|access-date=July 23, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722140442/http://www.tilzy.tv/kevin-james-gary-valentine-get-reckless-on-dusty-peacock.htm|archive-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref>

In February 2020, James revived his [[YouTube]] channel which he had launched back on November 27, 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9k23HZ1xMiqxf4gFfmxr5w/about|title=Kevin James|publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=May 12, 2020}}</ref> featuring short films "based on thin premises, like James eagerly waiting for a green light, misreading a hand wave, or spending birthdays by himself, but many carry a sense of melancholy and restraint."<ref>{{cite web |title=Will Smith And 10 Other Celebrities With Active, Interesting YouTube Channels |date=May 8, 2020 |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2495668/will-smith-and-other-celebrities-with-active-interesting-youtube-channels |publisher=[[CinemaBlend]] |access-date=May 12, 2020}}</ref> By June 2020, he had over 535,000 subscribers and 28 million total views.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UC9k23HZ1xMiqxf4gFfmxr5w|title=Kevin James's YouTube Stats|publisher=[[Social Blade]]|access-date=May 12, 2020}}</ref>
==Personal life==
[[File:Steffiana-de-la-Cruz 2011-01-06 photoby Adam-Bielawski.jpg|thumb|upright|James' wife Steffiana de la Cruz in 2011]]
James met Filipina-American model and actress Steffiana de la Cruz as part of a [[blind date]], and they were married on June 19, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/599659/kevin-james-expecting-baby-no-4-with-wife-steffiana-de-la-cruz|title=Kevin James Expecting Baby No. 4 With Wife Steffiana de la Cruz! |first=Francesca|last=Bacardi|date=November 20, 2014|publisher=[[E!|E! Online]]| access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref> They have four children together and reside in [[California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/kevin-james-kids-meet-his-4-children-with-wife-steffiana/|title=Kevin James Is the King of His Family! Meet the Emmy Nominee's 4 Kids With Wife Steffiana|work=Closer|date=January 26, 2024|access-date=August 19, 2024}}</ref>

Raised in a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] home, James stated in 2012, that he remains a devout Catholic.<ref name="background">{{cite web|author=Mark Pattison|url=http://thecatholicspirit.com/featured/comic-actor-kevin-james-wants-to-glorify-god-in-every-way|title=Comic actor Kevin James wants to 'glorify God in every way' |publisher=TheCatholicSpirit.com|date=October 9, 2012|access-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> In 2019, he hosted a Catholic [[Retreat (spiritual)|retreat]] featuring priest [[Chad Ripperger]] and theologian [[Scott Hahn]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hahn |first1=Scott |title=A wonderful time on retreat |url=https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ScottHahn/posts/2881051088582649  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/165171813503937/2881051088582649 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|website=Facebook |access-date=December 13, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

James is a fan of the [[New York Mets]] baseball team and threw out the first pitch at a game in August 2024.<ref>{{cite web |author=Christian Arnold |url=https://nypost.com/2024/08/21/sports/kevin-james-recreates-viral-video-in-electric-mets-moment/ |title=Kevin James recreates viral video in electric Mets moment |date=August 21, 2024 |access-date=August 21, 2024}}</ref>
==Filmography==
{{Pending films key}}
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2002 || ''[[Pinocchio (2002 film)|Pinocchio]]'' || [[Mangiafuoco]]|| English voice
|-
| 2004 || ''[[50 First Dates]]'' || Factory Worker ||
|-
| 2005 || ''[[Hitch (film)|Hitch]]'' || Albert Brennaman ||
|-
| rowspan = "3" | 2006 || ''[[Grilled (film)|Grilled]]'' || Dave || [[Direct-to-video]]
|-
| ''[[Monster House (film)|Monster House]]'' || Officer Landers || Voice and motion capture
|-
| ''[[Barnyard (film)|Barnyard]]'' || Otis || Voice
|-
| 2007 || ''[[I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry]]'' || Firefighter Larry Valentine ||
|-
| 2008 || ''[[You Don't Mess with the Zohan]]'' || Himself || Uncredited cameo
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Paul Blart: Mall Cop]]'' || Paul Blart || Also writer and producer
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Grown Ups (film)|Grown Ups]]'' || Eric Lamonsoff ||
|-
| rowspan = "2" | 2011 || ''[[The Dilemma]]'' || Nick Brannen ||
|-
| ''[[Zookeeper (film)|Zookeeper]]'' || Griffin Keyes || rowspan = "2" | Also writer and producer
|-
| rowspan = "2" | 2012 || ''[[Here Comes the Boom]]'' || Scott Voss<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/herecomestheboom|title=Here Comes the Boom – Sony Pictures Entertainment|website=www.sonypictures.com}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Hotel Transylvania (film)|Hotel Transylvania]]'' || [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein]]|| Voice
|-
| 2013 || ''[[Grown Ups 2]]'' || Eric Lamonsoff ||
|-
| rowspan = "4" | 2015 || ''[[Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2]]'' || Paul Blart || Also writer and producer
|-
| ''[[Little Boy (film)|Little Boy]]'' || Dr. Fox ||
|-
| ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]'' || President William Cooper || 
|-
| ''[[Hotel Transylvania 2]]'' || [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein]]|| Voice
|-
| 2016 || ''[[True Memoirs of an International Assassin]]'' || Sam Larson ||
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Sandy Wexler]]'' || Ted Rafferty ||
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation]]'' || [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein]]|| Voice
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2020 ||  ''[[Becky (2020 film)|Becky]]'' ||  Dominick || 
|-
| ''[[Hubie Halloween]]'' || Sergeant Steve Downey ||
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Home Team (2022 film)|Home Team]]'' || [[Sean Payton]]||
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Monster Summer]]'' || Edgar Palmer ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2025 || ''[[Guns Up (film)|Guns Up]]'' || Ray Hayes ||
|-
| ''[[Playdate (film)|Playdate]]'' || Brian || 
|-
| 2026 || ''[[Solo Mio]]'' || Matt Taylor || also writer and producer; Post-production 
<!-- Per WP:NFF and WP:CRYSTAL, do not add films that are listed as "pre-production" 
-->
|-
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1994–1997 || ''A&E's An Evening at the Improv'' || Himself || 4 episodes
|-
| 1996, 1998–1999 || ''[[Everybody Loves Raymond]]'' || Kevin Daniels / [[Doug Heffernan]] || 8 episodes
|-
| 1998–2007 || ''[[The King of Queens]]'' || rowspan = "3" | [[Doug Heffernan]] || Lead role (207 episodes)
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Cosby (TV series)|Cosby]]'' || Episode: "[[List of Cosby episodes|Judgment Day]]"
|-
| rowspan = "2" | 1999 || ''[[Becker (TV series)|Becker]]'' || Episode: "Drive, They Said"
|-
| ''[[Martial Law (TV series)|Martial Law]]'' || Kevin Hampton || Episode: "Nitro Man"
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Arli$$]]'' || Kevin || Episode: "Like No Business I Know"
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Elmo's Christmas Countdown]]'' || [[Santa Claus]]/ Kevin ||TV special
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Liv and Maddie]]'' || Mr. Kevin Clodfelter || Episode: "[[List of Liv and Maddie episodes|Cook-a-Rooney]]"
|-
| 2016–2018 || ''[[Kevin Can Wait]]'' || Kevin Gable || Lead role (48 episodes)
|-
| 2021 || ''[[The Crew (2021 TV series)|The Crew]]'' || Kevin Gibson || Lead role (10 episodes)
|-
| {{TBA}} || {{pending film|italic=no|Untitled John Daly limited series}} || [[John Daly (golfer)|John Daly]] || Lead role
|}

===Stand-up specials===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Title !! class="unsortable"|Notes
|-
| 2001 || ''Sweat the Small Stuff'' ||
|-
| 2018 || ''Never Don't Give Up'' ||
|-
| 2024 || ''Irregardless''||
|}

===Music Videos===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Artist
! Role
! class=unsortable | Notes
|-
| 2025
| "Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend"
| [[Nate Smith (singer)|Nate Smith]] & [[Hardy (singer)|Hardy]]
| Best Friend
|
|}
==Accolades==
=== Teen Choice Awards ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:left; width:90%;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2.8em;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:36em;"| Nominated work
! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:8.5em;"| Result
! scope="col" style="width:4em;"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[2005 Teen Choice Awards|2005]]
| rowspan="2"| ''Hitch''
| [[2005 Teen Choice Awards|Choice Movie: Dance Scene]]{{Ref label|note_a1|A}}
| rowspan="2" {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000644/2005|title=Teen Choice Awards (2005)|publisher=[[IMDb]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[2005 Teen Choice Awards|Choice Movie: Liplock]]{{Ref label|note_a1|A}}
|-
| [[2015 Teen Choice Awards|2015]]
| ''Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2''
| [[Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor - Comedy|Choice Movie Actor: Comedy]]
| {{nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000644/2015|title=Teen Choice Awards (2015)|publisher=[[IMDb]]}}</ref>
|}
=== Primetime Emmy Awards ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:left; width:90%;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2.8em;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:36em;"| Nominated work
! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:8.5em;"| Result
! scope="col" style="width:4em;"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[58th Primetime Emmy Awards|2006]]
| ''The King of Queens''; episode: "Pole Lox"
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series]]
| {{nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2006|title=58th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners|publisher=[[Primetime Emmy Award]]}}</ref>
|}

===Golden Raspberry Awards===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:left; width:90%;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2.8em;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:36em;"| Nominated work
! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:8.5em;"| Result
! scope="col" style="width:4em;"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[28th Golden Raspberry Awards|2008]]
| rowspan="2"| ''I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry''
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor|Worst Supporting Actor]]
| rowspan="2" {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.razzies.com/history/07winners.asp|title=28th Annual Golden Raspberry (Razzie©) Award "Winners"|publisher=[[Golden Raspberry Awards]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414105004/http://www.razzies.com/history/07winners.asp|archive-date=April 14, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Couple|Worst Screen Couple]]{{Ref label|note_b1|B}}
|-
| [[34th Golden Raspberry Awards|2014]]
| ''Grown Ups 2''
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Couple|Worst Screen Combo]]{{Ref label|note_c1|C}}
| {{nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.razzies.com/history/34th-press-release.asp|title=34th RAZZIE® "Winners": Everybody Gets Something ...Except Adam Sandler!|publisher=[[Golden Raspberry Awards]]}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4"| [[36th Golden Raspberry Awards|2016]]
| rowspan="3"| ''Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2''
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor|Worst Actor]]
| rowspan="3" {{nom}}
| rowspan="4" align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.razzies.com/history/2016/2016-noms-press-release.html|title=Big Budget, High-Profile Movies Dominate RAZZIES® 36th Nominations|website=Razzies|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201023048/http://www.razzies.com/history/2016/2016-noms-press-release.html|archive-date=February 1, 2016|access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture|Worst Picture]]
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay|Worst Screenplay]]
|-
| ''Pixels''
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor|Worst Supporting Actor]]
| {{nom}}
|}

===People's Choice Awards===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:left; width:90%;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2.8em;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:36em;"| Nominated work
! scope="col" style="width:23em;"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:8.5em;"| Result
! scope="col" style="width:4em;"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|2017
|''Kevin Can Wait''
|Favorite Actor in a New TV Series
|{{nom}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=People's Choice Awards 2017: Full List Of Winners|url=http://blog.peopleschoice.com/2017/01/18/peoples-choice-awards-2017-winners/|website=People's Choice|access-date=January 19, 2017|date=January 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120023620/http://blog.peopleschoice.com/2017/01/18/peoples-choice-awards-2017-winners/|archive-date=January 20, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}
==Notes==
'''A''' {{Note|note_a1}} Shared with [[Will Smith]]<br />
'''B''' {{Note|note_b1}} Shared with [[Adam Sandler]] and [[Jessica Biel]]<br />
'''C''' {{Note|note_c1}} Shared with the entire cast
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Kevin James}}
{{Commons category|Kevin James (actor)|Kevin James}}
* {{Official website|http://www.kevinjames.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|416673|Kevin James}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Kevin}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American people of German descent]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:Catholics from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American sketch comedians]]
[[Category:American stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:American television writers]]
[[Category:Comedians from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Cortland Red Dragons football players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American male television writers]]
[[Category:People from Mineola, New York]]
[[Category:People from Stony Brook, New York]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:State University of New York at Cortland alumni]]
[[Category:Television producers from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Ward Melville High School alumni]]