Steffiana de la Cruz: Kevin James’ Wife — Career, Family, and Life

Steffiana de la Cruz is a Filipino-American actress who’s best known as the wife of comedian and actor Kevin James. Born Stephanie Anna Marie Zantua on August 28, 1974, in the Philippines, she’s built a steady acting career while raising four children with one of Hollywood’s most recognized comedic stars. Despite being married to a major celebrity, Steffiana has always kept a low profile — letting her work and her family speak for themselves.

Early Life and Background

Steffiana de la Cruz was born in the Philippines and later moved to the United States, where she grew up and eventually pursued a career in entertainment. Details about her childhood and upbringing remain private, which is consistent with her preference for staying out of the spotlight. What we do know is that she adopted her professional stage name — Steffiana de la Cruz — early in her career, setting aside her birth name of Stephanie Anna Marie Zantua.

Before acting, she spent time as a model. Her photogenic looks and natural presence in front of the camera helped her break into the entertainment industry, first through modeling work and then through small screen appearances.

Acting Career

Steffiana’s acting career spans over two decades, with credits in both film and television. She’s appeared in a mix of comedies and supporting roles, often alongside her husband Kevin James.

Film Roles

Her most notable film appearances include:

• Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) — One of her most visible roles, appearing in this hit comedy that earned over $183 million worldwide.
• Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015) — She returned for the sequel, continuing the franchise’s comedic storyline.
• Zookeeper (2011) — Another collaboration with Kevin James, this family comedy featured her in a supporting role.
• I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007) — She appeared in this Adam Sandler and Kevin James comedy about two firefighters navigating an unusual arrangement.
• Stealing Harvard (2002) — An earlier role that showed her range in comedy films.

Many of her film roles have come through projects connected to Kevin James and Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions, a network that frequently casts from a close circle of collaborators and their families.

Television Appearances

On the small screen, Steffiana made guest appearances on The King of Queens, the long-running CBS sitcom that starred Kevin James from 1998 to 2007. She also appeared in Kevin Can Wait (2016–2018), another Kevin James vehicle. Earlier in her career, she had roles in shows like Pacific Blue and the German series Die Gang.

Marriage to Kevin James

The love story between Steffiana de la Cruz and Kevin James began with a blind date in 2001. At the time, Kevin was already a household name thanks to The King of Queens, while Steffiana was building her own career in Hollywood. The chemistry was immediate, and the two began dating seriously.

Kevin proposed in 2003, and they married on June 19, 2004, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Dana Point, California. The ceremony took place with beautiful views of the Laguna Beach coastline, and the reception was held at the Montage Resort. By all accounts, it was an intimate and elegant celebration.

More than two decades later, the couple remains one of Hollywood’s more stable partnerships. They’ve managed to keep their relationship largely out of tabloid headlines — no small feat in an industry where personal lives are constant public fodder.

Their Children

Steffiana and Kevin James are parents to four children:

1. Sienna Marie James — Their eldest daughter, born in 2005. She’s occasionally been spotted at public events with her parents.
2. Shea Joelle James — Born in 2007, their second daughter. The middle name “Joelle” is believed by some fans to be a nod to the legendary Shea Stadium in New York.
3. Kannon Valentine James — Born in 2011, their only son and third child.
4. Sistine Sabella James — The youngest, born in 2015, completing the family of six.

Both Steffiana and Kevin have spoken about how important family is to them. They’ve chosen to raise their children away from the constant glare of Hollywood, preferring a quieter home life in spite of Kevin’s very public career.

Who Is Kevin James?

For those unfamiliar, Kevin James (born Kevin George Knott on April 26, 1965) is an American comedian, actor, and producer. He first gained national fame as Doug Heffernan on The King of Queens, which ran for nine seasons on CBS. He went on to star in blockbuster comedies like Hitch (2005), the Paul Blart: Mall Cop films, Grown Ups (2010), and Zookeeper (2011).

Kevin is closely associated with Adam Sandler and the Happy Madison Productions roster. More recently, he’s starred in Netflix projects and continues to perform stand-up comedy. His estimated net worth is reported to be around $100 million, making the James family one of the wealthier households in the comedy world.

Steffiana’s relationship with Kevin has naturally brought her more public attention, but she’s consistently chosen to support his career from behind the scenes rather than chase the spotlight herself.

Personal Life and Interests

Outside of acting and family, Steffiana de la Cruz keeps a notably private life. She and Kevin have been longtime residents of the Dana Point and Laguna Beach area in Southern California — a quieter, coastal community compared to the typical Hollywood neighborhoods.

She’s been seen at occasional charity events and premieres but doesn’t maintain a heavy social media presence or seek media attention. This privacy-first approach is something she and Kevin clearly share, as the couple has always been protective of their children’s exposure to public life.

Her Filipino heritage is an important part of her identity. As a Filipino-American woman married to one of Hollywood’s biggest comedy stars, she represents a demographic that’s still underrepresented in mainstream American entertainment.

Steffiana de la Cruz’s Net Worth

While Steffiana de la Cruz’s personal net worth isn’t publicly confirmed, it’s estimated to be around $5 million based on her acting career and modeling work. Combined with Kevin James’ estimated $100 million fortune, the family is very well-off financially. Their wealth comes from Kevin’s extensive film and television career, stand-up performances, and production deals, along with Steffiana’s own professional work over the years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Steffiana de la Cruz and Kevin James meet?

They met on a blind date in 2001. Kevin was already starring in The King of Queens at the time. They dated for about two years before getting engaged in 2003.

When did Steffiana and Kevin James get married?

They married on June 19, 2004, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Dana Point, California. The reception was held at the Montage Resort near Laguna Beach.

How many children do Steffiana de la Cruz and Kevin James have?

They have four children: Sienna Marie (born 2005), Shea Joelle (born 2007), Kannon Valentine (born 2011), and Sistine Sabella (born 2015).

What movies has Steffiana de la Cruz appeared in?

Her notable film credits include Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009), Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015), Zookeeper (2011), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), and Stealing Harvard (2002).

What is Steffiana de la Cruz’s real name?

Her birth name is Stephanie Anna Marie Zantua. She adopted the stage name Steffiana de la Cruz for her professional career.

Where is Steffiana de la Cruz from?

She was born in the Philippines and later moved to the United States, where she built her career in modeling and acting.

Related Celebrities

• Shea Joelle James — Daughter of Steffiana de la Cruz and Kevin James
• Sienna Marie James — Eldest daughter of Steffiana and Kevin James