It’s nearly impossible to flip through the channels of your TV without coming across an episode of the renowned sitcom The King of Queens — and looking at the cast that brought the hilarious series to life, it’s no wonder why the show was such a major success.
The show followed married couple Doug Heffernan (Kevin James) and Carrie Heffernan (Leah Remini), as well as Carrie’s father Arthur (Jerry Stiller), who lives in the basement of their home. Doug, a parcel delivery man and Carrie, a legal secretary, live their life as a middle class couple in Rego Park, Queens. The series depicts the typical ups and downs of married life, the difficulty of dealing with oddball family members, a hilarious cast of quirky friends and guest characters and hysterical hijinks that Doug would often find himself enmeshed in, usually by his own fault.
From 1998 to 2007, the King of Queens cast made us laugh night after night, rerun after rerun. Here, take a look at this hilarious crew then and now, and see what they’ve been up to since the series wrapped up.
The King of Queens cast, then and now
Kevin James as Doug Heffernan
Kevin James led this cast of characters as Doug Heffernan, and after the hit comedy came to an end, success only continued for the actor. His comedic skills were once again on full display in films like I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) and its sequel, Grown Ups (2010) and its sequel, and many more. One of his more recent roles was the lead in the 2022 sports comedy Home Team, and he also starred in the series Kevin Can Wait from 2016 to 2018.
“It may have worked for us because people kinda left us alone,” James told CBS News on the success of the show. “You know, when they tapped us on the shoulder and we looked up, it was nine years later. We never really were that shiny show, but we’re a simple show — and that’s something that I’m proud of.”
“We just had a magical combination in the way that we had everybody in the right place at the right time,” he said. “It was a simple story, and for some reason, people identified with it.”
Leah Remini as Carrie Heffernan
Leah Remini, who starred as Doug’s firecracker wife Carrie, also went on to have a successful career in Hollywood. She went on to act in shows such as Family Tools, The Exes and Kevin Can Wait, once again starring alongside her King of Queens costar Kevin James. She also had a stint on reality TV with her series, Leah Remini: It’s All Relative, that followed the ins and outs of her family life. Her most recent film role was in 2018’s Second Act.
“Each time we came out for introductions [to the live studio audience], we’d look up and say, ‘One day we won’t be looking at those rafters.’ We never didn’t value what we had with that show, and it came from the fear that this would all suddenly go away,” Remini reflected in an interview with Buzzfeed. “We were never comfortable enough to think what we were doing was good.” As it turned out, what they were doing was better than good — it was legendary, and still celebrated to this day and in the decades to come.
Jerry Stiller as Arthur Spooner in the King of Queens cast
Jerry Stiller played the role of Arthur Spooner, Carrie’s father who comes to live with her and Doug when he burns his house down while cooking. Aside from his role on The King of Queens, Jerry Stiller played another famous father figure on Seinfeld, as George Costanza’s dad, Frank. After King of Queens, he could be seen in Hairspray (2007) and in shows such as The Good Wife and Mercy. His final role came in 2016’s Zoolander 2 before his passing in 2020. The King of Queens cast joined forces once again for a virtual charity reunion in honor of Stiller, where they shared memories of the time they spent with him.
“I miss him so much — he’s just the greatest,” said Kevin James. “A lot of people see him how he acts, the cranky old man yelling and screaming, but it was the opposite of who he was. He’s an angel.”
Victor Williams as Deacon Palmer in the King of Queens cast
Victor Williams played Deacon Palmer, Doug’s best friend and co-worker in the series. Some of his most notable roles after his time apart of the King of Queens cast were in series such as Sneaky Pete, The Affair, Happy Together and Justified: City Primeval. However, he’s also made guest appearances on shows including The Righteous Gemstones, Bull, Hunters, The Sinner, Madam Secretary, The Good Wife and more.
Patton Oswalt as Spencer ‘Spence’ Olchin
Patton Oswalt played another one of Doug’s close friends in the King of Queens cast, and he too has gone on to enjoy a successful and extensive career. Oswalt has done a wide range of voice work in shows like Kim Possible, Robotomy, Futurama, Bob’s Burgers and movies like Ratatouille (2007), where he voiced the beloved Disney critter, Remy. Some of his other notable roles were in films like Young Adult (2011), Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013), as well as shows like Mystery Science Theatre 3000, The Goldberg’s and A.P. Bio.
Gary Valentine as Danny Heffernan
Gary Valentine played the role of Danny Heffernan, Doug’s cousin who also happens to be Kevin James’ real life older brother. Outside of The King of Queens, Valentine and James have starred alongside one another in various projects such as Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009), Zookeeper (2011), Here Comes the Boom (2012), and recently, Home Team (2022). He also starred alongside James in the series Kevin Can Wait.
Nicole Sullivan as Holly Shumpert in the King of Queens cast
Nicole Sullivan played the role of Holly, who was a dog walker that would regularly take Arthur for walks. Sullivan is recognizable for roles in films like Superhero Movie (2008), Black Dynamite (2009) and 17 Again (2009). In addition to her film work, you may have seen her on television in shows such as Scrubs, Rita Rocks, Cougar Town, Wendell and Vinnie, Disjointed, Black-ish and more. Her repertoire also includes a wide range of voice work on several animated series.
Want to see more of your favorite TV show casts? Click through below!
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