. Stand-up is the focal point for Kevin James.
Kevin James, a well-known and accomplished comedic actor for the past 25 years, recently returned to Huntington, Long Island and stood outside the former location of the East Side Comedy Club.
“The first time I ever performed stand-up,” he recalled. “I believe I drank a couple of Coors Lights to build up my courage. And then I stepped into this venue, which was my first time performing: July 26th, 1989!”
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After thirty-five years, he has a lot to reflect on.
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After achieving success as a football player in high school, James attended Cortland State in Upstate New York to continue his athletic career. However, a back injury forced him to give up his dream. It was during a public speaking course that he discovered his talent for making people laugh. “I wasn’t sure what it was, but I knew I had a gift,” he recalled. “While I don’t know how to capitalize on it, I decided not to return to my studies.”
He focused on perfecting his comedic style – friendly and observant, without being vulgar, and with a forward-thinking perspective. He deliberately avoided using explicit language, stating, “I knew it would limit my opportunities for TV appearances. I want my material to be suitable for any audience. My goal is to create a relatable act.”
In the mid-1990s, James reached a level of success that allowed him to secure an opportunity for an audition on the television show, “Saturday Night Live.” This was a significant opportunity to follow in the footsteps of esteemed comedians such as John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Eddie Murphy.
He ended up on the ground with his face down.
He stated that it was the most terrible tryout he had ever experienced, as it involved him alone in a room and was incredibly brutal. Despite receiving no laughter, he continued with his stand-up routine.
This is the place to find out everything you need to know about Kevin James. He is living evidence that failure is not a permanent state, but simply a result of giving up.
And while a bombed “SNL” audition might cause 99 people out of 100 to curl up in the fetal position and never move again, James said, “It was the best thing that happened to me.”
Missing out on “Saturday Night Live” gave him the opportunity to try out and snag the main role in a pilot named “The King of Queens.” James’ gamble on his potential after dropping out of college turned out to be successful.
Within 10 years, he went from operating a forklift and performing at comedy clubs in Long Island to being the lead in a sitcom on a major network. This success seemed to have come too quickly for him to fully trust it and believe that it would continue. He commented on this by saying, “That’s been the theme of my entire career. If someone were to come up to me and tell me that they knew what was happening, I would just accept it and be ready for whatever is to come. It’s been a fun journey, thank you!”
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However, at the age of 58 and having been married for 20 years, James may struggle to argue against the longevity of his marriage. The only individuals who may still have doubts are his four children.
When asked if his kids find him humorous, James answered that they do at times. He mentioned that they have elevated expectations and it was a bit of a blow to hear that. They acknowledged his comedic role in “Mall Cop” but were hoping for more from him.
Despite experiencing great success in Hollywood, this individual, born in Long Island, will always stay connected to his origins.
When asked to choose between exclusively performing stand-up comedy, acting in sitcoms, or starring in movies for the rest of his career, James gave a prompt response: “Stand-up. It’s just me, a microphone, and the freedom to do it. There’s no bureaucratic interference from the studio or network, no having to cater to different visions or casting demands.”
“The process is something I truly find enjoyable. However, there may be instances where things don’t go as planned and you may not connect with others as anticipated. On the other hand, there are also moments where you succeed and can continue to do great things. The possibility is there for you to take advantage of.”
He expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m thankful to still be here!”
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This story was created by Gabriel Falcon and edited by Karen Brenner.
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Source: cbsnews.com