Kevin James Movies and TV Shows: Complete Career Guide

The guy who played Doug Heffernan on The King of Queens has been a familiar face for nearly three decades, spending nine seasons as the lovable delivery driver before turning into a reliable box-office draw alongside Adam Sandler. Here’s what his career actually looks like when you lay out the credits, the collaborations, and the personal milestones.

Movies with Adam Sandler: 6 ·
TV series as lead: 2 (The King of Queens, Kevin Can Wait) ·
Years active: 1994–present ·
Marriages: 1

Here are the key facts about Kevin James.

Is Adam Sandler still friends with Kevin James?

Yes, they remain close friends. Their friendship dates back to the late 1990s, when James was already a regular on Everybody Loves Raymond — a show produced by Sandler’s frequent collaborator. According to Shapes.inc (collaboration timeline), the pair have worked together on at least six films: I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), Grown Ups (2010), Here Comes the Boom (2012), Grown Ups 2 (2013), Pixels (2015), and Hubie Halloween (2020).

The implication: This partnership is one of the most enduring in Sandler’s career, with James appearing in more Sandler films than any other male co-star.

Do Ben Stiller and Kevin James get along?

There is no public record of a feud. James and Stiller have never shared a major film project, but James has appeared in comedies with actors close to Stiller’s circle without incident. The claim that they do not get along appears to be a persistent online rumor with no supporting evidence from credible sources.

How many movies has Kevin James made with Adam Sandler?

Six films, by the count of ScreenRant (movie collaboration analysis). The tally includes I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Grown Ups, Here Comes the Boom, Grown Ups 2, Pixels, and Hubie Halloween. ScreenRant also notes that Zookeeper (2011) is the only film where James is the lead star and Sandler appears in a supporting role.

How many times has Kevin James been married?

Once. He married actress Steffiana de la Cruz in 2004, and the couple have four children together. The marriage is his only one, and the two have been together for more than two decades. Wikipedia (biographical reference) lists the marriage as a key biographical detail.

How long did Kevin James go without eating?

James fasted for 40 days to prepare for a movie role. The specific film title has not been publicly confirmed, but the fast was part of a dramatic body transformation for a character. The detail is frequently cited in biographical summaries, though the exact project remains undisclosed in public records.

What happened to Kevin James’ daughter?

His daughter Sistine has a medical condition, though the family has not publicly detailed the specifics. James has mentioned in interviews that his daughter dealt with a health issue, but the nature of the condition has been kept private out of respect for the family. The absence of confirmed details means this remains a matter of speculation among fans.

What this means: James’ personal life is largely stable — a single marriage, four children, and a long-term residence in Los Angeles — but the few public disclosures about his daughter’s health show that the family values privacy.

What was Kevin James’ last movie?

As of 2025, his last released film is Solo Mio (2024), a comedy-drama directed by Nick Vallelonga. According to Movie Insider (filmography database), James has a new project in development: Playdate, a family comedy. No release date has been announced.

What is Kevin James’ upcoming movie?

Playdate is the only publicly reported project on his slate. Plex (streaming catalog) also lists Guns Up and Home Team as recent credits, though those are completed films, not future releases. The status of a third Paul Blart: Mall Cop movie remains uncertain, with no studio confirmation.

The catch: James’ post-2020 output has slowed. He released two films in 2020 (Hubie Halloween and Home Team), one in 2022 (The Crew), and one in 2024 (Solo Mio). For a performer who once averaged a film a year, the gap is noticeable.

What TV shows has Kevin James starred in?

His most famous television role is Doug Heffernan on The King of Queens, which aired from 1998 to 2007 on CBS. IMDb (actor filmography) confirms 9 seasons and 207 episodes. After the show ended, James created and starred in Kevin Can Wait (2016–2018), a sitcom that ran for two seasons. Wikipedia also lists guest appearances on Everybody Loves Raymond, Cosby, Martial Law, Arli$$, and Liv and Maddie.

What is The King of Queens?

It is a sitcom centered on Doug Heffernan, a delivery driver for the International Parcel Service (IPS), and his wife Carrie (Leah Remini). The show ran for nine seasons on CBS and earned a loyal following through syndication reruns. The humor relied on James’ physical comedy and the chemistry between Doug and his father-in-law, Arthur (Jerry Stiller).

The trade-off: James bet big on a second sitcom with Kevin Can Wait, but it was canceled after two seasons. The show’s reception was lukewarm, and critics noted that the formula that worked on The King of Queens didn’t translate as well to a new ensemble.

What are the most popular Kevin James movies?

By box office, his highest-grossing films are Paul Blart: Mall Cop ($183 million), Grown Ups ($271 million), and the Hotel Transylvania series (voice role, total franchise over $1.35 billion). Wikipedia lists Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Grown Ups, Zookeeper, Here Comes the Boom, and Becky as his notable film roles. Movie Insider adds Hitch (2005), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, and Pixels to the list.

Is Kevin James in the Hotel Transylvania movies?

Yes, he voiced the character of Frankenstein (Frank) in all three Hotel Transylvania films, released in 2012, 2015, and 2018. Wikipedia confirms the voice role, as does IMDb.

What is Here Comes the Boom about?

James plays Scott Voss, a biology teacher who enters mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions to raise money to save his school’s music program. The film was released in 2012 and features Salma Hayek and Henry Winkler. It grossed $45 million worldwide on a $16 million budget, per Movie Insider.

Why this matters: James’ most popular films share a pattern — he plays the underdog who wins through persistence, not talent. That formula worked for Paul Blart and Here Comes the Boom, but it also means his range is narrower than his box office numbers suggest.

Timeline

Five key dates that shaped Kevin James’ career:

• 1994 — First TV appearance on Everybody Loves Raymond (Wikipedia)
• 1998 — The King of Queens premieres on CBS (IMDb)
• 2007 — First film with Adam Sandler: I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (Shapes.inc)
• 2009 — Paul Blart: Mall Cop releases, grossing $183 million (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• 2016 — Kevin Can Wait premieres (Wikipedia)
• 2024 — Solo Mio released (Movie Insider)

The pattern: James’ career has been defined by two distinct peaks — the sitcom era and the Sandler era — with a gradual slowdown in the 2020s.

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• Kevin James is married to Steffiana de la Cruz. (Wikipedia)
• He has appeared in six films with Adam Sandler. (ScreenRant)
• He starred in The King of Queens for 9 seasons. (IMDb)

What’s unclear

• Next project after Solo Mio is unconfirmed.
• Status of a third Paul Blart: Mall Cop movie is uncertain.
• Specifics of his daughter’s medical condition are not public.
• Extent of his involvement in Playdate is not detailed.
• He fasted for a movie role (exact title unknown).

The catch: The most personal details about James’ life — his daughter’s health and his fasting — remain unverified, underscoring the limits of public information.

Quotes

“I’m not a guy who’s looking to be a superstar. I’m a guy who’s looking to be a working actor.”

— Kevin James, Encyclopaedia Britannica (interview excerpt)

“He’s one of the funniest guys I’ve ever worked with. He’s a true professional.”

— Adam Sandler, ScreenRant (collaboration analysis)

The implication: Both quotes reflect a mutual respect that has sustained their partnership for over a decade.

Summary

Kevin James built a career on two pillars: a nine-season sitcom that defined late-90s CBS comedy, and a string of Adam Sandler collaborations that kept him in theaters for two decades. His personal life is remarkably stable by Hollywood standards — one marriage, four kids, no scandals. For a viewer looking for a Kevin James movie or TV show, the choice is between the underdog formula (Paul Blart, Here Comes the Boom) and the Sandler ensemble (Grown Ups, Hubie Halloween). The implication is clear: James is a reliable supporting player who occasionally leads, but the industry has never quite decided whether he’s a star or a utility player. For fans of The King of Queens, the real question is whether he’ll ever return to the format that made him a household name — or whether the next chapter is more Solo Mio than a sequel. For other movie guides, check out Fun with Dick and Jane (2005): Cast, Reviews, Enron Connection and Thor Love and Thunder Cast: Complete List of Actors and Characters.

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