“They’re all elements of myself in these characters,” the comedian toldPEOPLE in 2020 of his acting roles, adding that his time playing a dad on Kevin Can Wait hit home “a little bit more so because of my family life… with some exaggerations.” He recently took on another family-focused role in the comedy Home Team (premiering on Friday, Jan. 28), an AdamSandler-produced Netflix film inspired by the true story of New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton. The NFL coach, who was suspended amid the 2012 “Bountygate” scandal, used his time away from work to reconnect with his son by coaching his sixth-grade football team. Perhaps James and De La Cruz will soon be coaching their own children in the ways of Hollywood, as the comedian told PEOPLE his kids “like editing” and “don’t want to be in front of the camera… but they want to get behind it.” Show business is already a family affair for James, however, with his wife having made cameos in several of his memorable projects. So, without further ado, let’s segue—or should we say “Segway,” a la Paul Blart!– into everything we know about Kevin James’ love and life with wife Steffiana De La Cruz.
How did Kevin James and wife Steffiana De La Cruzmeet?
The pair’s long-lasting relationship all began when they reportedly met on a blind date in 2001 and moved in together just a few months later. They announced their engagement in fall 2003.
How long has Kevin James been married?
James and De La Cruz have certainly come a long way from that serendipitous set-up. They’ve been married for 17 years now, having tied the knot on June 19, 2004 at the St. Edward Catholic Church in Dana Point, Calif. The couple’s family and friends—including Everybody Loves Raymond star Ray Romano—attended the Southern California ceremony, which was followed by a reception at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. While James typically tends to keep his relationship out of the spotlight, he did share a tribute to his wife on their 16th wedding anniversary in 2020. He posted a photo of him and De La Cruz on Instagram for their big day, captioning the sweet selfie: “16 years ago today! You’re all I need… and the kids… and Friday night pizza… and Sunday pasta… but that’s it… you, the kids, pizza, pasta. Love you…Deo Gratias.”
How many times has Kevin James been married?
De La Cruz is the star’s first wife. The comedian, who’s no stranger to using his own life stories for laughs, once joked about his track record with dating (per IMDb), “I’ve always been the guy who doesn’t necessarily get it with women. A woman would have to say, ‘I like you; I want to go out with you, you can ask me.’ And still, I would question it. Did she mean it?”
How old is Kevin James’ wife, Steffiana De La Cruz?
De La Cruz is 47 years old, making her nine years younger than the 56-year-old James.
Was Kevin James’ wife married to Chris Penn?
While they never married, De La Cruz was reportedly in a relationship with Chris Penn, brother of Michael andSean Penn, from 1993 to 1999. The late actor, who passed away from heart disease in 2006 at age 40, was known for his roles in films including Footloose, Reservoir Dogs and True Romance.
Is Kevin James’ wife an actress?
While De La Cruz started her career as a model, she later added acting to her resumé, starting with a role in the series Die Gang in 1997. She’s also appeared in several of her husband’s films, popping up in small roles in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Zookeeper and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.
Was Kevin James’ wife ever in The King of Queens?
It seems the couple who acts together, stays together! While James’ character on the popular series, Doug Heffernan, was married to Carrie Heffernan (played by Leah Remini), his real-life wife appeared on the show, too. De La Cruz made four appearances in total throughout the CBS sitcom’s nine-season run, first in a small role as a masseuse in Season 4 episode “Eddie Money.” She later returned to play Tina in Season 6 episode “Damned Yankee,” Sue in Season 7 episode “Black List,” and Sienna in Season 9 episode “Affair Trade.” The couple kept the tradition going on his later sitcom Kevin Can Wait (Season 2 of which also starred Remini), as De La Cruz appeared in two episodes: “The Back Out” in Season 1 and “A Band Done” in Season 2.
What is Steffiana De La Cruz’s net worth?
According toCelebrity Net Worth, De La Cruz has a net worth of $5 million, while Kevin James has a net worth of $100 million.
Does Kevin James have kids?
James and De La Cruz have four children: daughters Sienna-Marie, 16, Shea Joelle, 14, and Sistine Sabella, 7, and son Kannon Valentine, 10—the latter of whom is likely named after James’ brother, Gary Joseph Knipfing, who’s also an actor and comedian and goes by the stage name, Gary Valentine. “I just love being a dad,” James toldPEOPLE in 2007, before adding to the publication in 2020 that Sienna-Marie is “the tough one” and does kickboxing, while the other kids are “into animation and drawing.” In addition to discussing fatherhood in his standup shows, James’ experiences as a dad have also influenced what film roles he says yes to. “I want to do movies that I’m proud of where my kids, at some point, can see and I can feel comfortable sitting there watching it with them,” the star said, per IMDb. “And just that move people. That make people feel a little bit better about themselves when they leave the theater.” Next, Who Is Jim Gaffigan’s Wife? Meet the Comedian’s Personal and Professional Executive Producer, Jeannie Gaffigan
