Doug Heffernan

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Douglas Steven "Doug" Heffernan is a fictional character in the American situation comedy The King of Queens. The role is played by actor Kevin James, whose stand-up comedy provides the comedic themes and general style of the show.

The character Doug Heffernan lives in Queens, a borough of New York City. Doug lives with his wife Carrie Heffernan (Leah Remini) and his father-in-law Arthur Spooner (Jerry Stiller).

Arthur always refers to him as "Douglas."

1 Childhood and beyond
2 Carrie and her family
3 IPS
4 Friends
5 Famous Quotes

[edit] Childhood and beyond

Doug lived a very sheltered childhood. While growing up, he was unaware that he had been born accidentally in Montréal, Canada while his pregnant mother and father attended a friend's wedding there. He had instead been told by his parents that he had been born in New York City up until he discovered the truth as an adult. He was also unaware that he had to repeat kindergarten and that his dog Rocky died several times during his childhood and was replaced each time. His parents had decided to hide these things from him because they wanted to protect him; these secrets were mostly revealed in one episode entitled 'Dog Shelter.'

Doug also struggled with weight problems his entire life. He was a chubby child and continued to have these weight problems as an adult, but with a lesser impact on his self-esteem. Doug went to high school in Queens, where he befriended Spence Olchin; he also went to school with his cousin Danny. Doug played high school football where he was a star player and starting guard. He later went on to junior college where he dropped out and tried out for a semi-pro football team, but he didn't make the team because of "politics", as he claims. He later got a job as a bouncer where he befriended Richie Ianucchi (who gave him the nickname "Moose"), and met his domineering, but loving wife, Carrie Heffernan.

Doug's parents' names are Joe Heffernan (played by Dakin Matthews) and Janet Heffernan (played by Jenny O'Hara), his sister is Stephanie Heffernan (played by Ricki Lake). Doug's cousin Danny is played by Gary Valentine, who is Kevin James' brother in real life. His cousin's father, "Uncle Stu" is played by Gavin MacLeod who appeared in episode 73, "S'no Job" and episode 93, "Hero Worship".

In episode #902, it is discovered that there is another Doug Heffernan in Queens, though he is not related. Doug hears a series of obscene telephone messages a mysterious woman named Jessica leaves on his machine, saying that she had a great time with him. Doug tries to tell Jessica that he is not the Doug Heffernan she had slept with, and her boyfriend threatens to kill him. Near the end of the episode, Doug and Carrie drive in separate cars to the medical office, where the "other" Doug Heffernan has a practice. It is also noted that Dr. Heffernan is older, shorter and skinnier than the Doug that Jessica had mistaken him for.

[edit] Carrie and her family

During Doug's previous job as a bouncer, he was introduced to Carrie Spooner (Leah Remini) by his friend Richie. They went out with Carrie and her friend in what was not the best first date. Nonetheless, Doug and Carrie continued to date. Throughout their time together, they both changed. She matured a lot, becoming more responsible and faithful to Doug. Because of Carrie, Doug started his career with IPS and met his best friend Deacon.

When Doug first met Carrie's father, Arthur (Jerry Stiller), he was almost scared away by Arthur's craziness. Luckily he ran into Carrie on his way out, as they then found out that they loved each other.

Doug and Carrie got engaged at a Jets game and later planned their wedding. Carrie was very nervous and stressed leading up to the wedding, but Doug helped her through it, and they got married.

Doug married Carrie in 1995, and they bought a house in Queens. His father-in-law, Arthur, moved in with them when his wife died and his house burned down. Arthur lives in their basement, the former hangout for Doug and his buddies. Doug is often annoyed by Arthur, but he doesn't have the heart to get rid of him. As a moderate solution to Arthur's annoying behavior, Doug hired a dog walker named Holly to walk him.

Along with Arthur, Carrie's sister Sara moved in, but she was cut from the show during the first season.

[edit] IPS

One day, when Doug and Carrie were dating he lied and told her that he had a job. He quickly found a job with IPS. There he met his best friend Deacon Palmer.

Doug is a proud worker; he is a delivery man and a truck driver for the fictional company, IPS ("International Parcel Service"). Doug's actual boss is Supervisor Patrick O'Boyle (Sam McMurray) though officially, as seen in one episode, his company boss is named Fiscer. IPS is a thinly veiled reference to United Parcel Service.

Since beginning his job with IPS, he became the record holder for most consecutive days without an incident. Also since beginning with IPS his annoying cousin Danny began working there. And Danny and Doug are now actually good friends.

In addition to his regular job as an IPS truck driver, Doug has also worked as a bouncer, limousine driver, bicycle courier, ice-cream truck driver and bartender.

[edit] Friends

Doug's best friend is fellow IPS driver Deacon Palmer (Victor Williams), who is married to Carrie's best friend, Kelly (Merrin Dungey). His other friends include lifelong buddy Spence Olchin (Patton Oswalt), a firefighter named Richie Ianucchi (Larry Romano) (who left the show mid-way through the series), his cousin Danny (Gary Valentine), and a dogwalker named Holly (Nicole Sullivan). Another friend of Doug's, Ray Barone (Ray Romano, Everybody Loves Raymond), has also appeared as a guest on a few episodes of the show.

Doug and Carrie live next door to famous bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno (played by himself). Lou is most famous for his role as The Incredible Hulk and is the root of his friends making "Hulk Jokes."

[edit] Famous Quotes

"Car-RIE!!!"
"ARTHUR!"
"I know that now!"
(Talking to Arthur over the phone) Yes Arthur, "Doug" is short for Douglas. (Short pause, Arthur talking) Well, now you know.
(Referring to his father's entry in a model train contest) "By the time he wins that golden caboose, you'll be sucking on a nice, cold Shut-Up-sicle."
"_____a-shion!" (pronounced as "a-she-own", and used to modify words that end in "tion"; like "vaca-shion" for "vacation", "sanita-shion" for "sanitation", and such)
"Heffer-vescence!" (a portmanteau of "Heffernan" and "effervescence")
"Yuspa!"
"Shutty!"
"I want new car smell. Our car has "Burger King" smell."
"For the love of God, football now!"
"I just figured out what I want for dinner, a nice, hot bowl of Shut-it Stew!!"
"Tables are fine, but a booth is like a vacation for your ass."
In bed with Deacon, both having had fights with their wives, and after Deacon insults Doug, "All right, just for that, the candy shop is closed."
"I have a slightly better idea, How about you shut up?"
"Son of a B."
"You son of a mother!" jarrett isn't
"Aww, mother of CRAP!"-
"HOT CHA CHA!!! Pay the man!"
"Mother of ass!!!"
(To Spence, who has recited an Albanian phrase) "How do your people say 'Shut mouth now'?"
(To Danny, as Doug is acting as his on-the-job trainer) "You know what, your first delivery is to Shut-it-Up Industries."
(Upon finding out Arthur is co-owner of property with his half-brother Skitch) "He owns A HOUSE???!!!"
After Carrie insults Doug on his weight in a heated argument, "Oh, it took a while, but you had to go there, Fatty like cake!"
(Referring to a slot machine) "I don't wanna see a bunny. I wanna see three bunnies in a row followed by the sound of change dropping."
(Running on a fast-moving treadmill, disgusted by his weight and having manipulated his wife out of revenge for making him undergo heavy excercising) "I HATE ME!!!" (Flies backward off treadmill)
"I don't want to eat breakfast on a table that recently held your father's ass, that's ASS BREAKFAST!"
"Why don't you take a little bus ride back to Shutty Town?!"
(After having an argument with Deacon about himself, walks into the kitchen, but stops and says)"Just be glad you're not cursed with THIS charisma!"
My name might as well be "Fatty McButterpants."
"I'm not 'Fatty Mc Butterpants', I'm 'Fatty McLiarpants'... I'm 'Fatty McEvilpants.' Carrie: Will you stop referring to yourself using the words 'Fatty' and 'McPants'?"