Gary Valentine: Kevin James’ Brother — Career, Net Worth, and Family

If you’ve watched The King of Queens, you already know Gary Valentine — even if you didn’t realize his real last name is Knipfing, or that his on-screen buddy Kevin James is actually his younger brother. Gary’s been a fixture in comedy for decades, building a career that goes well beyond that one famous sitcom role. Here’s everything you need to know about the man behind Danny Heffernan.

Early Life and the Knipfing Family

Gary Joseph Knipfing was born on November 22, 1961, in Mineola, a small suburban town on Long Island, New York. He grew up in a close-knit family of German and Italian descent. His parents, Janet (Knipfing) and Joseph Valentine Knipfing Jr., raised their children in a household where humor was part of the daily routine.

Gary’s the oldest of the Knipfing siblings, which is important context for understanding his relationship with his younger brother Kevin. While Kevin George Knipfing would eventually become a household name as Kevin James, it was actually Gary who got into comedy first. He was cracking jokes on stage before Kevin ever thought about stepping up to a microphone.

The brothers also have a sister, Leslie Knipfing, who’s known for her charitable work — she founded the King of Queens Charity, which supports organizations for people with special needs. Their mother, Janet Knipfing, has also been a beloved figure among fans of the family.

The Kevin James Connection

You can’t tell Gary Valentine’s story without talking about Kevin James. The two brothers have been creatively linked for most of their adult lives, and their bond is one of the more genuine sibling partnerships in Hollywood.

Kevin James (born Kevin George Knipfing on April 26, 1965) is about four years younger than Gary. According to interviews, it was Gary who inspired Kevin to try stand-up comedy in the first place. Once Kevin found his footing — and eventually landed his own CBS sitcom in 1998 — he brought Gary along for the ride.

On The King of Queens, Gary played Danny Heffernan, the lovable cousin of Kevin’s character Doug Heffernan. The role was recurring but memorable, and it gave Gary steady screen time across the show’s nine-season run from 1998 to 2007. The chemistry between the two wasn’t just good acting — it was real family shorthand that translated perfectly to the screen.

Kevin’s daughter, Shea Joelle James, has also grown up in the public eye as part of this tight-knit entertainment family.

Career Highlights

Stand-Up Comedy

Before the sitcom fame, Gary Valentine was a working stand-up comedian grinding it out on the New York comedy circuit. He performed at clubs across the country and landed spots on Comedy Central, which helped him build a following. His style leans on observational humor and family stories — the kind of material that feels personal without being self-indulgent.

Gary’s been doing stand-up since the late 1980s, and he’s never stopped. Even during his busiest TV years, he kept touring. He’s headlined comedy clubs and theaters nationwide, and he regularly appears at venues in New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

The King of Queens (1998–2007)

This is the role that put Gary Valentine on the map for mainstream audiences. The King of Queens ran on CBS for nine seasons, and Gary appeared in over 100 episodes as Danny Heffernan. The show starred Kevin James as Doug Heffernan, a delivery driver from Queens, New York, and featured Leah Remini and Jerry Stiller in lead roles.

Danny Heffernan was the kind of character audiences loved — a little rough around the edges, always scheming, but ultimately loyal. Gary brought a natural comedic timing to the part, and his scenes with Kevin had a looseness that only real siblings can pull off.

Film Roles

Gary’s film career has been closely tied to projects involving Kevin James and the Happy Madison Productions circle (Adam Sandler’s production company). His notable film credits include:

• Stuck on You (2003) — a Farrelly Brothers comedy with Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear
• I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007) — alongside Adam Sandler and Kevin James
• Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) — Kevin James’ breakout box-office hit, which grossed over $183 million worldwide
• Zookeeper (2011) — another Kevin James vehicle
• Kevin Can Wait (2016–2018) — Gary reunited with Kevin on CBS, playing Kyle Gable in this sitcom
• Home Team (2022) — a Netflix comedy also featuring Kevin James

The pattern is clear: when Kevin James has a project, Gary Valentine usually has a part in it. That’s not nepotism — it’s a creative partnership that works because the two genuinely play well off each other.

Writing and Producing

Gary isn’t just in front of the camera. He’s also worked as a writer and producer on various projects, contributing behind the scenes to comedy specials and television episodes. His writing reflects the same sensibility he brings to his stand-up — grounded, funny, and built around real human interaction.

Personal Life

Gary Valentine has kept his personal life relatively private compared to his brother Kevin. He doesn’t court tabloid attention, and you won’t find him making headlines for anything other than his work.

What’s known is that he’s remained close to his family throughout his career. The Knipfing siblings — Gary, Kevin, and Leslie — appear to have a strong bond that goes beyond professional collaboration. Gary has spoken in interviews about how important family is to him and how growing up on Long Island shaped his sense of humor.

He continues to live and work primarily on the East Coast, though his career takes him to Los Angeles regularly.

Gary Valentine’s Net Worth

Gary Valentine’s exact net worth hasn’t been confirmed through verified financial disclosures. Various entertainment estimate sites place it in the range of $3 million to $5 million, though these figures should be taken as rough estimates rather than confirmed numbers.

His income sources include decades of television residuals (especially from The King of Queens, which remains in heavy syndication), film roles, stand-up touring, and writing/producing credits. While he hasn’t reached the same financial heights as his brother Kevin James (whose net worth is estimated at around $100 million), Gary has built a solid and sustainable career in entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gary Valentine really Kevin James’ brother?

Yes. Gary Valentine (born Gary Joseph Knipfing) and Kevin James (born Kevin George Knipfing) are biological brothers. Gary is the older of the two, born in 1961, while Kevin was born in 1965.

What is Gary Valentine’s real name?

His birth name is Gary Joseph Knipfing. He adopted the stage name Gary Valentine early in his comedy career.

What character did Gary Valentine play on The King of Queens?

He played Danny Heffernan, the cousin of Kevin James’ character Doug Heffernan. Gary appeared in over 100 episodes across the show’s nine-season run on CBS (1998–2007).

Is Gary Valentine still doing stand-up comedy?

Yes. Gary has been performing stand-up since the late 1980s and continues to tour and headline comedy clubs and theaters across the country.

How old is Gary Valentine?

Gary Valentine was born on November 22, 1961, making him 64 years old as of 2026.

Related Celebrities

• Janet Knipfing — Gary and Kevin’s mother
• Leslie Knipfing — Gary and Kevin’s sister, known for her charity work
• Shea Joelle James — Kevin James’ daughter