Leah Remini and Kevin James Pay Tribute to ‘The King of Queens’ on Show’s 25th Anniversary: ‘So Grateful’

Leah Remini and Kevin James look back on it all King of Queens with love.

On Thursday, stars paid tribute to the CBS sitcom as it marked its 25th anniversary.

The series, which premiered on September 21, 1998, ran for nine seasons until May 2007. It followed middle-class married couple Doug (James) and Carrie Heffernan (Remini) as they lived in Queens, New York with the latter’s father, Arthur Spooner (portrayed by the late Jerry Stiller).

Kevin James and Leah Remini in the movie “King of Queens”.

Robert Voets/CBS via Getty

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James, 58, shared a photo of the three stars on Instagram on Thursday and expressed his gratitude for the performance and his co-stars.

“25 years ago today we broadcast,” he wrote in the caption. “So incredibly blessed to ride with the insanely talented @leahremini and Jerry Stiller. I love you both so much. and thank you to the BIGGEST FANS in the world 🌎 I LOVE YOU! 🙏❤️”

Remini, 53, posted her own heartfelt tribute to the “truly special show” on Instagram, gushing about her co-stars and the show’s fans. She also shared a fun clip from one of the show’s episodes, in which Carrie buys Doug a shirt from the “Big and Tall Store.”

“By the time I signed on as Carrie Heffernan, I had done hundreds of auditions, been cast in many pilots and some short-lived shows, and finally got offered The King of Queens,” she began her description. “As soon as the first season began production, I knew I was home and I’m blessed to be able to say that I was a part of a truly special series that ran for nine seasons and 207 episodes and is still thriving in syndication.”

The actress praised James and Stiller, along with their “amazing” co-stars Gary Valentine (Danny), Patton Oswalt (Spence), Victor Williams (Deacon) and Nicole Sullivan (Holly).

Everyone made me laugh every day, she wrote. “Our talented guest and regular cast made the show what it is. Working with the cast, crew and our amazing and dedicated writers and producers was an actress’ dream come true.”

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She then acknowledged the show’s fans and their fierce dedication, recalling one viewer who commented that her family was “three generations King of Queens household: her mom watches it, she watches it, and now her daughter watches it too.”

“I want to let you all know that I see comments where you say you fall asleep every night King of Queensthat it got you through a tough day and tough times in your life,” the star continued, “that you laughed for the first time in your day watching us, or that you watch several episodes a day, or that you and your family bond over watching episode in syndication.”

Kevin James and Leah Remini.

CBS via Getty

“It means a lot to me in the world and I am very grateful for this experience that lasts and lasts,” she concluded her recognition.

Hollywood mourns beloved actor Jerry Stiller: ‘What a giant’

In 2021, King of Queens The cast gathered virtually for a benefit gathering and held a table reading in honor of their late co-star Stiller, who died in May 2020 at the age of 92.

“He was Dad, he was the one in the undershirt after the show was over,” Remini recalled of the late actor. “Jerry could have been in the first scene and they said, ‘It’s okay for you to go. You don’t have to stay all night while we’re shooting,’ and he would have stayed.”

“King of Queens” actor Jerry Stiller, who died in May 2020. Bobby Bank/WireImage

“He cared about you so much,” James interjected. “I remember, we did one take where I was sick … and Jerry came backstage to my dressing room and said, ‘Can I help you?’ ”

“I miss him so much – he’s just the greatest,” he said Kevin can wait added the actor. “A lot of people see him acting like a grumpy old man yelling and screaming, but that’s the opposite of who he was. He’s an angel.”

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All nine seasons King of Queens are available to stream on Peacock.

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Source: HIS Education