Leah Remini is an American actress, producer and outspoken advocate known for her television work and public efforts to expose the Church of Scientology.
She gained widespread fame playing the role of Carrie Heffernan on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens, which aired from 1998 to 2007. The series’ success solidified her as a prominent figure in comedy television. American drama.
In addition to acting, Remini is also best known for the documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which examines the Church of Scientology and has brought her significant recognition in recent years.
File
- Full name: Leah Marie Remini
- Date of birth: June 15, 1970
- Age: 54 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York City, United States
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Actor, producer, author, activist
- Height: 5’3″ (160 cm)
- Parents: George Remini (father), Vicki Marshall (mother)
- Siblings: Nicole Remini (sister), Shannon Farrara (half-sister)
- Spouse: Angelo Pagan (married 2003)
- Children: Sofia Bella Pagan
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Formerly Scientology, now outspoken critic of the church
- Ethnicity: Italian (from father), Austrian Jewish (from mother)
- Net worth: 25 million USD
Early life and education
Leah Remini, now 64 years old, was born on June 15, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York.
She grew up in a multi-ethnic family; Her mother, Vicki Marshall, is Austrian-Jewish, while her father, George Remini, is Italian.
Remini grew up in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, but when she was 9 years old, her family became involved with the Church of Scientology, which would play an important role in her early life.
At age 13, she and her family moved to Los Angeles, California, where she spent most of her childhood. Remini left formal school early to pursue acting, taking on her first roles in television sitcoms.
Her upbringing in a strict Scientology community, coupled with her departure from the church as an adult, later became a central part of her activist career.
Personal life
Leah Remini married Angelo Pagan, an actor and musician, in 2003. The couple has a daughter, Sofia Bella Pagan, born in 2004. Remini has been candid about her family life, especially after upon leaving the Church of Scientology.
She mentioned that her decision to leave the church was heavily influenced by her desire to protect her daughter from church activities.
Remini’s marriage to Pagan is strong and they often appear together in public. They live in Los Angeles, where they have built a stable family life.
Pagan also appeared with her on Leah Remini: It’s All Remini, a reality show focusing on her family and their daily lives.
Career
Leah Remini’s acting career began in the late 1980s with small roles in sitcoms such as Who’s the Boss? And saved by the Bell.
However, her breakthrough came in 1998 when she was cast as Carrie Heffernan in The King of Queens.
Her role as the witty, strong-willed wife alongside Kevin James made the series a hit, lasting nine successful seasons.
Remini’s work on the show earned her widespread acclaim and cemented her place in American sitcom history.
After The King of Queens, Remini continued to act in television and movies, including roles in Old School (2003) and Second Act (2018).
In 2014, she launched her reality show, Leah Remini: It’s All Remini, which aired on TLC and provided a glimpse into her family life.
Her career took a dramatic turn in 2013 when she publicly left the Church of Scientology after more than 30 years of membership.
This decision led her to create the docu-series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, which aired on A&E.
The show, which investigated controversial church practices, was critically acclaimed and won several awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Informational Series. Its success established her as a leading figure in exposing the inner workings of Scientology.
Prize
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series or Special (2017) for Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath
- Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming (2017)
- Producers Guild Award for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television (2017)
- Many nominations for his role in The King of Queens and other television projects
Net worth
Leah Remini’s estimated net worth is approximately $25 million.
Her wealth mainly comes from her long-running role on The King of Queens, where she reportedly earned up to $500,000 per episode during the show’s peak.
Social Media
- Instagram: @leahremini
- Twitter: @LeahRemini
Cinema
- King of Queens (1998–2007)
- Kevin Can Wait (2017–2018)
- Old School (2003)
- Second Act (2018)
Book
- Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology (2015)
