James spent roughly 10 years refining and perfecting his act, and eventually transitioned to performing at venues in nearby New York City. To make ends meet, James worked at a local warehouse. His official comedy debut was a raging success, and he soon became a regular presence on the Long Island club circuit, where he befriended fellow up-and-comer Ray Romano. Minervini offered James a five-minute stand-up slot at the comedy club, and the aspiring comedian lept at the opportunity. At the club, he also forged a long-lasting friendship with actor and comic Mookie Barker.ĭuring his time with the troupe, he developed a friendship with club owner Richie Minervini and also adopted the stage name Kevin James as an homage to a favorite teacher. Instead, he spent time with his brother, Gary Valentine, whose improv group performed regularly at Long Island's now-defunct East Side Comedy Club in Huntington Station. Based on the strength of the audience's response and his burgeoning love of comedy, he chose not to return to college. James won the part and thrived in the role. Foray into ComedyĪt Cortland, a public speaking course awakened James's love of the stage, and while back home on Long Island, he auditioned for a comedic part in a Shoreham-Wading River Community Theater production. After graduating in 1983, he continued his football career at SUNY Cortland, where he majored in sports management. A sports fanatic and talented athlete, James excelled as a tailback on his football team. The Knipfing family relocated to Stony Brook in Long Island, New York, where James attended Ward Melville High School. Early LifeĪctor and comedian Kevin James was born Kevin George Knipfing on April 26, 1965, in Mineola, New York, the son of Janet and Joseph Valentine Knipfing. James later starred in such films as Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Here Comes the Boom, and returned to TV in 2016 with Kevin Can Wait. He first appeared as Doug Heffernan on The King of Queens in 1998, a role that would launch him to fame through the show's conclusion in 2007. Born in 1965 in Mineola, New York, Kevin James pursued a burgeoning career in comedy while still in college.
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