Okay, let’s settle this once and for all. You’ve seen Kevin James lumbering around as Paul Blart, Mall Cop. You’ve seen Gary Valentine popping up on King of Queens as that goofy, unpredictable cousin, Danny Heffernan. And you’ve thought it: “Wait… are these guys actually related?”
I mean, they look alike, right? Same round, friendly face. Same delivery of a joke that lands like a soft, hilarious pillow. You’re not crazy for wondering. The internet is full of people asking the same thing, usually while eating a slice of pizza and half-watching reruns.
So, let’s grab our imaginary coffee. Let’s get to the bottom of this mystery. Spoiler alert: the answer is a glorious, slightly confusing yes.
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The Big Reveal: They’re Actually Blood
Yes, for real. Kevin James and Gary Valentine are real-life brothers. I know, I know. It feels like a bit from a sitcom, doesn’t it? “Hey, let’s cast my actual brother to play my cousin.”
But that’s exactly what happened. Kevin James, whose real name is Kevin George Knott, has a younger brother named Gary Knott. Gary changed his last name to Valentine as a stage name. Why? Because show business is weird, and apparently “Gary Knott” didn’t have the same ring to it as “Gary Valentine.”
So, the guy who plays your goofy cousin on TV? He’s literally the goofy brother in real life. It’s a beautiful, meta layer of reality that makes you smile.
How They Ended Up on the Same Show
This is the best part. Kevin James was already the star of The King of Queens. The show needed a new character to stir things up. Kevin didn’t just hire any actor. He looked at his own family tree and said, “Hey, my brother is hilarious and needs a job.”
Classic brother move, right? Gary Valentine auditioned, but let’s be honest—the gig was his. He brought a raw, unpredictable energy to Danny Heffernan that you can’t fake. That manic, slightly dangerous sweetness? That’s real sibling energy.
They play off each other so perfectly because they’ve been doing it since childhood. You can’t teach that chemistry. It’s the kind where one looks at the other, and they both know exactly what dumb thing is about to happen.
Gary Valentine
Wait, Do They Have Other Siblings?
Oh, you want the full family tree? Fine. Let’s dive in. Kevin and Gary are two of four children. They have a sister named Leslie and another brother named Steve Valentine.
And yes, Steve is also an actor. He changed his last name to Valentine too. Because again, show business is a weird, fabulous place. Steve has popped up in a few things, but he’s not as famous as his brothers.
So the Knott family is basically a small, functioning comedy factory. Imagine the Thanksgiving dinners. Imagine the arguments over who gets the last drumstick. I bet it’s hilarious and loud.
Why It’s Easy to Forget They’re Related
Here’s the thing: they have different last names. That’s the number one confusion source. When you see “Kevin James” and “Gary Valentine” in the credits, your brain says “different last name, different family.” Your brain is a liar.
Also, they play different characters with different names. Kevin plays Doug Heffernan, the husband. Gary plays the cousin. Our brains shunt them into separate mental boxes. “Oh, that’s the main guy. That’s the goofy side character.”
But then you see a behind-the-scenes photo. They’re laughing in the same stupid way, with the same squinty eyes. And it clicks: “Oh. They share a mother.” It’s a delightful little revelation every single time.
What The Cast Of The King Of Queens Looks Like Today
So, Did They Work Together Again?
You bet they did. After The King of Queens, Kevin James went on to make movies. And who do you think shows up as a side character? You guessed it. Gary Valentine pops up in Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Grown Ups.
He plays the same kind of character: the frantic, slightly dim-witted buddy. It’s typecasting, but it’s earned typecasting. He’s the brother you drag along because you love him, even though he’ll probably ruin the plan.
They also did a sitcom called Kevin Can Wait together. Gary was literally listed as a “special guest star,” which is Hollywood code for “the star’s brother needed a paycheck and we’re fine with it.”
The Bottom Line: Family First, Always
So, to answer your burning question: Yes, Gary Valentine and Kevin James are brothers. Not just sitcom brothers. Not just work friends. Real, honest-to-goodness, “remember when you stole my bike in 1985” brothers.
It makes their on-screen chemistry so much sweeter, doesn’t it? Every time Gary makes Kevin break character and laugh, you know it’s a brother cracking up a brother. It’s not acting. It’s family.
Next time you watch The King of Queens, look closer. You’re not just watching two actors. You’re watching two siblings who found a way to get paid for being themselves. And frankly? That’s the dream. Now, go grab another slice of pizza. You’ve earned it after solving this mystery.