Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kevin James’ Net Worth?
Kevin James, the versatile American comedian, actor, writer, and producer, has cultivated a significant net worth estimated at $100 million. This financial standing reflects his successful career trajectory, from stand-up comedy to starring roles in television and film.
Kevin James’ Early Career and Rise to Fame
Kevin George Knipfing, born on April 26, 1965, in Mineola, New York, spent his formative years in Stony Brook, New York. He attended Ward Melville High School, where he participated in wrestling. His initial foray into comedy began in 1989 at the East Side Comedy Club on Long Island, marking the start of his journey in the entertainment industry. He also attended the State University of New York at Cortland, although an injury curtailed his athletic pursuits.
James’ stand-up career gained momentum, leading to appearances on prominent talk shows, including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Show with David Letterman,” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” These appearances increased his visibility and paved the way for further opportunities in television and film. He made his first television job in 1991 on “The New Candid Camera.” He was an actor responsible for pulling practical jokes on unsuspecting people. Between 1994 and 1996, he worked as the announcer for the MTV sports game show “SandBlast.”
“The King of Queens” and Subsequent Film Success
A pivotal moment in Kevin James’ career was his role as Doug Heffernan in the CBS sitcom “The King of Queens,” which aired from September 1998 to May 2007. During the middle seasons of the show, James’ salary was $300,000 per episode. This increased to $400,000 per episode for the final seasons. As an executive producer and owner of a percentage of the show’s backend equity, he has earned north of $50 million on syndication deals to date. For his performance in the eighth season, he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2006.
In 2005, James made his starring film debut in the romantic comedy “Hitch,” alongside Will Smith, which was a box office success. Subsequently, he starred in films such as “Grilled” (2006), “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” (2007), and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” (2009). “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” grossed $39 million during its opening weekend in the U.S. and a total of $219 million from ticket and home video sales, solidifying James’ status as a leading comedic actor. He also wrote and produced both “Mall Cop” films.
James continued his film career with roles in ensemble comedies like “Grown Ups” (2010) and “Grown Ups 2” (2013), as well as films like “The Dilemma” (2011) and “Zookeeper” (2011), the latter of which he also wrote and produced. He starred in Netflix films such as “True Memoirs of an International Assassin” (2016) and “Sandy Wexler” (2017). James has also lent his voice to animated films, including “Monster House” (2006), “Barnyard” (2006), and the “Hotel Transylvania” series (2012, 2015, 2018).
In September 2016, James returned to television with his sitcom “Kevin Can Wait,” which aired for two seasons until May 2018. In 2020, he starred in the films “Becky” and “Hubie Halloween,” and in 2021, he played Kevin Gibson in the television series “The Crew.” He also portrayed Sean Payton in the 2022 film “Home Team.” He is also set to star in the upcoming action-comedy movie “Guns Up.”
He revived his YouTube channel in February 2020, posting short videos that have garnered a substantial following. As of August 2023, he had amassed 958k subscribers with more than 75 million total views. These endeavors contribute to his overall income and net worth.
Kevin James’ Real Estate Investments
In 2012, Kevin and his wife, Steffiana de la Cruz, purchased a lavish oceanfront home in Delray Beach, Florida, for $18.5 million. The property featured eight bedrooms, ten and a half bathrooms, and was situated on 1.85 acres of land. A year later, they expanded their holdings by acquiring the adjacent empty lot for $4.25 million, creating a sprawling compound. The estate included a courtyard, floor-to-ceiling windows, a stone verandah, multiple fireplaces, a pool room, a backyard pool, and a large garage.
In 2016, the nearly 3-acre property was listed for sale at $29 million but was eventually sold to an LLC for a confirmed $27 million. During James’ ownership, the annual property taxes amounted to approximately $500,000. Prior to this, James owned several homes in Los Angeles, including one he sold in 2013 for $5.5 million.
In February 2020, Kevin and Steffiana purchased a new mansion in Delray Beach for $14 million. This 18,906-square-foot home, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, included a five-car garage, an elevator, upgraded finishes, a recreational area, and a wine cellar. The property also featured an outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill and a pool, as well as a one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house.
He listed this property for sale in 2022 at nearly $20 million but had to settle for just $12.67 million in May 2023. These real estate transactions reflect his investment strategies and contribute to his overall net worth.
Additional Ventures and Recognition
In 2007, while promoting “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry,” James served as the grand marshal for the Pepsi 400 NASCAR Cup Series stock car race. He reprised this role in 2010, 2012, and 2013 to promote other films. In July 2009, the web series “Dusty Peacock,” produced by James and starring his brother Gary Valentine, debuted on Crackle.
Kevin James’ Personal Life
Kevin James married actress Steffiana de la Cruz on June 19, 2004, after meeting on a blind date in 2001. They have four children together. His personal life and family are aspects that contribute to his overall well-being, though not directly to his net worth.
Through successful roles in television and film, strategic real estate investments, and other ventures, Kevin James has built a net worth of $100 million, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
