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Kevin was born April 26, 1965 in Mineola, New York, and raised in Stony Brook, New York. Kevin's parents are Joseph V. Knipfing, an insurance broker, and Janet B. Knipfing. He also has two siblings, Gary Joseph Knipfing aka: Gary Valentine, born 1961, and Leslie A. Knipfing, born 1967.

He attended Cortland University where he played fullback on the football team while majoring in sports management, although unfortunately he did not graduate. He had realized after 3 years that this wasn't the path for him. After returning home he decided that to break up the monotony of the summer he would join 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) improv group. He began going to clubs with Gary and realized he, too, had the knack for comedy. He has performed standup 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. After appearing on The Tonight Show, 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. He has since received his own sitcom The King of Queens.

In June 1999 and 2000, Kevin James 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.

Kevin James met his Steffiana De La Cruz wife on a blind date arranged by his interior decorator. They married on June 19th, 2004 before 200 family and friends. Good friend Ray Romano was in attendance. She then gave birth to their first child (a girl) on September 30, 2005. Her name is Sienna-Marie. Since then they have had another child, Shea Joelle who was born on June 14, 2007.