#638 - Kevin James

Summary of #638 - Kevin James

by Theo Von

1h 31m•February 9, 2026
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Overview of #638 - Kevin James (Theo Von)

Comedian/actor Kevin James joins Theo Von to promote his new film Solo Mio (now in theaters). The episode mixes movie talk with long-form, freewheeling conversation: career origin stories, touring anecdotes, family and relationships, health habits (fasting and training), friendships in comedy (Joe Rogan), and upcoming projects (a drama with country star Jelly Roll). The tone is conversational, anecdotal, often food- and travel-oriented, and leans into Kevin’s reflections on love, aging, and craft.

Topics discussed

  • Solo Mio

    • Kevin’s new movie — a love story set in Italy.
    • He calls it his best/most “real” film so far, praising the cast and crew and saying he was deeply involved in shaping it.
    • Co-stars discussed in the episode include Kim Coates and Alyson Hannigan; Theo also remarks on a blind street-musician moment and a musical ensemble in the film.
    • Recommended for date nights, families, and fans.

  • Kevin James’s background and career

    • Grew up on Long Island (born in Mineola; lived in New Hyde Park/New Hyde Park area).
    • Early improv/stand‑up beginnings with a brother’s influence.
    • First stand-up: July 26, 1989.
    • Early acting highlights: cameo/early role in Hitch (connection with Will Smith), King of Queens, Grown Ups, Paul Blart, Chuck & Larry.
    • Worked frequently with Adam Sandler; describes collaborative writing/trailer-room moments.

  • Personal life and relationships

    • Married later in life (married around age 39; first child around age 40); has four children.
    • Wife is Filipino and part Alaska Native — Kevin talks positively about Filipino culture and food (lumpia).
    • Reflections on dating later in life and the balance of fear vs. openness when pursuing relationships.

  • Health, fitness, and fasting

    • Kevin practices intermittent fasting; describes clearer thinking and vivid, sometimes purposeful dreams.
    • Plans to get into serious training for a forthcoming drama with Jelly Roll (they portray characters who go to prison). He’s committed to losing weight and working with Mike Dolce (Dolce Diet/coach).
    • Discusses aging (he’s turned 60) and how goals and tolerances change (e.g., smells of a jiu-jitsu room).

  • Upcoming drama with Jelly Roll

    • A country-music/drama project involving prison storylines.
    • Kevin says Jelly Roll lost a huge amount of weight; Kevin needs to get into prison shape for the role.

  • Other cultural tangents and banter

    • Concert memories (Kiss, Marilyn Manson), touring/club life, Vegas billboard fame, bad hotel stories.
    • Food talk: horseradish/prime rib, lumpia, peanut butter & jelly debates.
    • Joe Rogan friendship (decades-long), Rogan’s influence/advice about being yourself as a comic.
    • UFC/MMA interest, jiu-jitsu training (stopped because of injuries), and the mental toll of watching fighters you know.

Key takeaways & insights

  • Solo Mio is personally significant to Kevin — he describes it as the best movie he’s done because it allowed him to play a more “real” character and assemble a strong ensemble and crew.
  • Timing and openness matter in relationships — Kevin found long-term partnership later in life and emphasizes loosening up and giving things a shot.
  • Practical discipline beats waiting for perfection — Kevin emphasizes routine and modest, sustained change over “all-or-nothing” perfectionism when chasing fitness or other goals.
  • Fasting yielded unexpected mental benefits for him (clearer thinking, different dream patterns); he links it to autophagy and general health benefits.
  • Comedy craft lesson (attributed to Joe Rogan’s influence): “Don’t give them your jokes on a platter. Make them comfortable — be you.” Letting personality lead material can serve comedians better than forcing punchlines.

Notable anecdotes & quotes

  • Opening bit around a coffee mug phrase: “Con Dios, todo es posible” (with God, everything is possible).
  • Kevin’s first stand-up: July 26, 1989 — and he “crushed it” that first night; the second night “ate it.”
  • On marriage: “I didn’t want to be away from her… I was calling her every night. I got to get back there.”
  • On fasting: He reports feeling clearer mentally and having more meaningful dreams; calls fasting “helpful” for autophagy/health.
  • On craft and performing: Joe Rogan’s advice to him — be less desperate for laughs; make the audience comfortable and let them come along.
  • On Solo Mio: “For the rest of my life, this would probably be the best movie for me.”

Notable guests/references in conversation

  • Theo Von (host)
  • Kevin James (guest)
  • Kim Coates (co-star)
  • Alyson Hannigan (co-star)
  • Joe Rogan (longtime friend/influence)
  • Jelly Roll (collaborator on upcoming drama)
  • Mike Dolce (trainer/nutrition coach; Dolce Diet)
  • References to Rogan/UFC figures (Daniel Cormier, Chris Weidman, etc.)

Recommendations / action items

  • Watch Solo Mio in theaters if you’re interested in a romantic/Italy-set film that blends comedy and heartfelt moments.
  • If you’re looking to start a fitness/weight-loss push, consider Kevin’s approach: set a reasonable routine, enlist a knowledgeable coach, and avoid perfectionism — small consistent wins matter.
  • If curious about fasting, consult reliable sources or a doctor — Kevin reports mental clarity and autophagy benefits, but individual results vary.

Quick summary / snapshot

  • Episode type: promotional interview + longform conversational.
  • Tone: relaxed, rambling, nostalgic, often humorous.
  • Central themes: new film (Solo Mio), career reflections, relationships, health & discipline, longtime friendships in comedy.
  • Why listen: fans of Kevin James will get behind-the-scenes perspective on his new film and career; listeners who enjoy candid celebrity interviews with personal anecdotes and life advice will find it entertaining.