Kevin James Lost Over 80lb After Inspiring Weight-Loss Journey – And He Looks Incredible

Sep 21, 2021 by apost team

Actor, comedian and producer Kevin James was born Kevin George Knipfing in New York in 1965. He is best known for playing the role of Doug Heffernan on the sitcom “King of Queens” and was even nominated for an Emmy Award in 2006 for his performance. The actor has also been featured in a number of successful comedy films including “Hitch,” “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” and “Grown Ups.” 

James grew up in Stony Brook, New York, and attended Ward Melville High School. During his time there, James participated in wrestling, earning himself the number one spot on the team. After graduation, James attended the State University of New York at Cortland where he played halfback on the varsity football team until a back injury forced him to retire from sports for good.

When his dreams of being a sports star were dashed, James turned his attention to comedy. He began performing stand-up in 1989 and had his debut show at the East Side Comedy Club on Long Island. After appearing on numerous late-night talk shows, James began to gain popularity as a comedian. 

James forged a friendship with fellow comedian Ray Romano and began making appearances on the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.” This small role brought positive attention to James as a comedic actor and led to him landing the part of Doug on “King of Queens.” 

James has proved himself as a dedicated actor by losing over 80 pounds for a film role in 2012. Keep reading to learn more about the star and his weight loss transformation.

Transitioning from athlete to comedian as a young adult was a big change for James. “I came home one summer and wanted to do something different,” he said to the New York Times. “So I tried out for a small community theater play out in Shoreham-Wading River, and I got a small comedic part. I had no idea how to act, but I just did it. And I fell in love with the live audience response.”

When he began performing as a stand-up, James experienced both high and low moments. He shared, “I didn’t stack the audience with friends, because I knew they wouldn’t give me a true reading. But the audience response was incredible, and I thought, ‘This is really easy.’ Then I went on a second night with the exact same material. And I bombed.”

At the time he landed the role on “King of Queens,” James was still pretty new to Hollywood and he had a lot to learn. “I was definitely the weak link for sure as far as acting was concerned on the show,” he told Philly Voice. “Leah (Remini) and Jerry (Stiller) had done a crazy amount of things. Leah had done so much stuff. It was my first gig. I learned a lot through it.”

The actor also shared that he learned from his stand-up comedy peers. “I remember thinking Ray (Romano) is going to suck on a sitcom. This guy is not an actor. He’s going to be horrible,” James said. “ I didn’t think he had the ability to perform that way and I was so completely wrong. It was his unique style that was used from stand-up that made him so special in that show. I learned a lot from that, I really did.”

apost.com

Today, James is a complete professional and very dedicated to his craft. He has shown this by losing more than 80 pounds for his role as a boxer in the 2012 film “Here Comes the Boom.” James worked with MMA trainer Ryan Parsons to shed the weight. 

James told Parsons that he wanted to get into the mind of a boxer, and that was his focus while losing the weight. “That’s the key to a successful workout for anyone. You have to know why you’re doing what you’re doing and have a goal in mind, or it’s just too easy to quit,” Parsons shared with Men’s Health.

The trainer continued, “Kevin wanted to be treated like a fighter, so that’s what we did. These guys didn’t care that he was a movie star. They went at him. He actually knocked a guy out.”

James had a routine of pushups and situps using a medicine ball, as well as regular 1-hour boxing workouts. He focused on building boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu skills while cutting out carbs. He was in great shape for the movie but gained some weight back post-production.

James shared with Twin Cities Pioneer Press, “I got into such good shape for the movie, for me — losing 80 pounds — so I was able to do all of those scenes in the ring without sustaining any injuries … I want to get back in shape, bad. I felt better, my clothes fit me, my mind was clearer. But it’s a very difficult thing to sustain. I was working out all the time when I was getting ready for the movie.” 

Having done it before, we are confident James can reach his goal weight again after he dedicates the time to exercise with his busy schedule.

What do you think of James’ 80-pound weight loss? Are you a fan of his work? Let us know and be sure to send this on to your friends and family.