From Queens To Activism: Where Is Leah Remini, Who Played Carrie Heffernan, Now?

The sharp-witted, no-nonsense character of Carrie Heffernan, the co-protagonist of the beloved CBS sitcom The King of Queens, was brought to life by the powerhouse actress Leah Remini. For nine successful seasons, from 1998 to 2007, Remini delivered a masterclass in comedic timing, creating one of television's most memorable and relatable working-class wives. Today, as of December 2025, fans are not only revisiting her iconic portrayal but are also keenly following the actress's dynamic and often headline-making career, which has seen her transition from sitcom star to an outspoken activist and author, with major personal and professional updates occurring throughout 2024 and 2025.

While the show that followed the lives of the Heffernan couple, Carrie and her husband, Doug Heffernan (played by Kevin James), has been off the air for years, its enduring popularity in syndication keeps the question "Who plays Carrie on The King of Queens?" a perennial search query. Leah Remini's career post-Queens has been anything but quiet, featuring dramatic roles, a successful reality show, and a high-profile battle against the Church of Scientology that continues to define her public life, alongside recent news of her divorce and hints of a potential reunion project with her former co-star.

Leah Remini: A Biography and Key Career Milestones

Leah Marie Remini is an American actress, author, and activist whose career spans over three decades, marked by her distinctive Brooklyn-born sass and undeniable talent. Her role as Carrie Heffernan remains her most iconic, but her professional journey includes multiple successful ventures in both comedy and documentary filmmaking.

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• Full Name: Leah Marie Remini
• Born: June 15, 1970
• Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Spouse: Angelo Pagán (m. 2003; separated 2024)
• Daughter: Sofia Bella Pagán
• Breakthrough Role: Stacey Carosi on Saved by the Bell (1991)
• Iconic Role: Carrie Heffernan on The King of Queens (1998–2007)
• Other Major TV Roles: Co-host on The Talk (2010–2011), Vanessa Celluci on Kevin Can Wait (2017–2018), Host of People Puzzler (2021–2023).
• Activism/Documentary Work: Creator and host of the Emmy Award-winning docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath (2016–2019) and co-host of the podcast Scientology: Fair Game.
• Notable Films: Old School (2003), Second Act (2018), Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie (2017).
• Upcoming Project: The thriller film Flight Risk (2025), directed by Mel Gibson.

Remini’s early career saw her in various sitcoms, including a memorable arc on Saved by the Bell as Stacey Carosi. However, it was her casting opposite Kevin James in The King of Queens that cemented her status as a sitcom legend. The show, which ran for 207 episodes, is a staple of American comedy, largely due to the electric chemistry between Remini and James.

The Enduring Legacy of Carrie Heffernan and the Heffernan Household

The character of Carrie Heffernan is the emotional and often financial backbone of the Heffernan family, providing a compelling contrast to her lovable but lazy husband, Doug. The show is fundamentally about a working-class couple in Queens, New York, dealing with marriage, family, and the unexpected presence of Carrie’s eccentric father, Arthur Spooner (played by the late, great Jerry Stiller), who moves into their basement.

A Character Analysis of the 'King of Queens' Matriarch

Carrie is introduced as a paralegal working in Manhattan, a job that often puts her at odds with Doug’s more laid-back career as an IPS packaging delivery driver. Her character is a complex blend of traits:

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• The Bossy Wife: Carrie is known for her outspoken, impatient, and sometimes bossy demeanor. She often takes the lead in decision-making, a dynamic that provided the show with much of its comedic tension.
• The Loving Daughter: Despite their constant bickering, Carrie has a deep, albeit complicated, love for her father, Arthur Spooner. The three-way dynamic between Doug, Carrie, and Arthur is the core of the show’s success.
• The Queen of Sass: Leah Remini’s natural New York cadence and delivery gave Carrie a sharp, sassy edge that made her retorts legendary, especially in her arguments with Doug. This chemistry is a primary reason why the show remains a favorite among fans of 90s and 2000s sitcoms.

The show’s success rests on the relatability of the Heffernans. They are not a glamorous TV couple; they are a real-life couple dealing with money, weight, in-laws, and the monotony of suburban life in Queens. The casting of Leah Remini as the fiery counterpart to Kevin James's gentle giant was a stroke of genius by creators Michael J. Weithorn and David Litt.

What Leah Remini Is Doing Now: 2024 and 2025 Updates

Leah Remini’s life and career have been particularly eventful in the last couple of years, providing fresh, unique content for fans who are curious about the actress today. Her current focus is split between her continued activism and new film projects, with a significant personal life update dominating headlines in 2024.

The 2024 Personal Life Update: Divorce from Angelo Pagán

In a major personal announcement in July 2024, Leah Remini and her husband, actor Angelo Pagán, revealed they were divorcing after 21 years of marriage. The couple, who share a daughter, Sofia Bella Pagán, released a joint statement expressing that the decision was mutual and amicable. This news provided a significant update on the actress's personal life, marking a new chapter for the former couple who had often shared their family life on social media and in her reality series, Leah Remini: It's All Relative.

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Continued Activism: The 'Fair Game' Podcast

While her mainstream acting roles have been selective, Remini has dedicated a significant portion of her career to her advocacy work against the Church of Scientology, an organization she left in 2013. Her Emmy-winning docuseries, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, brought her critical acclaim and established her as a prominent public figure in the fight against the organization's abuses.

As of 2024 and 2025, Remini continues this vital work through her weekly podcast, Scientology: Fair Game, which she co-hosts with former Scientology executive Mike Rinder. The podcast, which released new episodes in July 2024, delves into the history, policies, and actions of Scientology, continuing to expose the doctrine known as "Fair Game." This consistent output keeps her in the public eye and proves her commitment to her role as a fearless advocate.

The Potential 'King of Queens' Reboot and New Projects

Fans of the classic CBS sitcom have been buzzing with the possibility of a reunion or a full-scale reboot, and Leah Remini and Kevin James have been subtly fueling the speculation. The former co-stars have maintained a close friendship and even reunited on screen for the sitcom Kevin Can Wait, a show that saw Remini join the cast as James's former police partner, Vanessa Celluci.

While no official announcement has been made, both James and Remini have shared nostalgic posts and made comments hinting at a new project, demonstrating their willingness to revisit the partnership that made them famous. A revival of The King of Queens would undoubtedly be a massive television event, and Remini's involvement as Carrie Heffernan is the key to its success.

Beyond the reunion rumors, Remini is slated for a major film role in the upcoming 2025 thriller Flight Risk, directed by Mel Gibson, showcasing her versatility beyond the comedic roles she is best known for. This project, alongside her ongoing activism and podcast, ensures that Leah Remini remains one of the most relevant and talked-about actresses from the golden age of 90s sitcoms.