Who is Kevin James’ Brother?
Kevin James is one of the most popular and successful actors and comedians in Hollywood.
He is best known for his roles in sitcoms like The King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait, as well as movies like Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Grown Ups.
But did you know that he has a brother who is also an actor and comedian? His name is Gary Valentine, and he has appeared alongside Kevin in many projects.
Here is everything you need to know about Kevin James’ brother, Gary Valentine.
Gary Valentine’s Early Life and Career
Gary Valentine was born Gary Joseph Knipfing on November 22, 1961, in Mineola, New York.
He is the older brother of Kevin James, who was born Kevin George Knipfing on April 26, 1965.
They also have a sister, Leslie Knipfing, who works as a talent manager.
Their parents are Janet, who worked in a chiropractor’s office, and Joseph Valentine Knipfing, Jr., who owned an insurance agency.
Their family is of German and Greek descent, and they were raised in the Catholic faith.
Gary Valentine got his start in show business on the stand-up comedy stage.
After an appearance at the Montreal Comedy Festival, he left his native New York for Los Angeles.
There, he quickly landed spots on various talk shows, including The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
He has been headlining comedy clubs and theatres for the past fifteen years.
Gary Valentine’s Roles in The King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait
Gary Valentine is best known for his role as Danny Heffernan on The King of Queens, playing the cousin of the principal character Doug Heffernan (performed by his real-life brother Kevin James) for nine seasons.
He also co-wrote a few episodes of the show, which he claims are the best.
The King of Queens was a hit sitcom that ran from 1998 to 2007 on CBS and followed the lives of Doug, a delivery driver, and his wife Carrie, a legal secretary, as well as their eccentric friends and family.
Gary Valentine reprised his role as Danny Heffernan in Kevin Can Wait, another sitcom starring Kevin James as Kevin Gable, a retired police officer who faces new challenges at home with his wife and three kids.
Gary played Kevin’s older brother, Kyle Gable, who is also a retired cop and lives in Kevin’s garage.
Kevin Can Wait ran for two seasons on CBS, from 2016 to 2018.
Gary Valentine’s Other Projects and Personal Life
Besides The King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait, Gary Valentine has appeared in numerous other TV shows and movies, mostly in comedy genres.
Some of his notable credits include:
- Stuck on You
- I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop
- Zookeeper
- Men of a Certain Age
- Chelsea Lately
- The Dog Who Saved Series 13
He also had a cameo in Jerry Seinfeld’s documentary Comedian and took part in the Dusty Peacock web series on Crackle.
Gary Valentine is married to Jackyline Knipfing, whom he wed in 1993.
They have no children.
He is the uncle of Kevin James’ four children: Sienna-Marie, Shea Joelle, Kannon Valentine, and Sistine Sabella.
He is also the brother-in-law of Steffiana De La Cruz, Kevin James’ wife.
Conclusion
Gary Valentine is a talented actor and comedian who has carved his niche in the entertainment industry.
He is also a supportive and loyal brother to Kevin James, and they have collaborated on many projects over the years.
Gary Valentine is a funny and charming personality who deserves more recognition for his work.
He is so much more than just Kevin James’ brother.
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Hello, I am Diana, an article writer on Siblingspedia, a blog that writes about celebrity siblings and their stories. I have a passion for entertainment, pop culture, and family dynamics, and love to explore the bonds and achievements of famous brothers and sisters. I have written about celebrities such as Bad Bunny, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Gary Owen, among others. I enjoy researching and sharing fun facts, trivia, and insights about the stars and their siblings and hope to inspire and inform my readers.