The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Actress›Leah Remini
Entertainment • Actress

Leah Remini

Leah Remini is an American actress, television host, author, and producer best known for playing Carrie Heffernan on the CBS sitcom *The King of Queens*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Leah Remini is an American actress, television host, author, and producer best known for playing Carrie Heffernan on the CBS sitcom *The King of Queens*. She later became widely known for publicly leaving the Church of Scientology, writing a memoir about her experiences, and co-creating the documentary series *Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath*.

Early life

Leah Marie Remini was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1970. Biographical sources state that she began acting as a child and moved into television work in the 1980s.

Career

Remini became widely recognized for her role on *The King of Queens*, which ran from 1998 to 2007. She later expanded into hosting, production, and film roles, including work on *The Talk*, *Kevin Can Wait*, and *Second Act*.

After leaving Scientology in 2013, Remini wrote *Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology* and later co-created the documentary series *Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath*. The series focused on former Scientology members and the organization’s practices.

Personal life

Sources state that Remini is married to actor Angelo Pagán and has one daughter. Public biographies also note that she lives in Los Angeles.

Key facts

  • Leah Remini played Carrie Heffernan on *The King of Queens* from 1998 to 2007.
  • She left the Church of Scientology in 2013 and later spoke publicly about her experience.
  • Her memoir *Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology* became a *New York Times* bestseller.
  • She co-produced and hosted the A&E series *Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath*, which won Primetime Emmy Awards.
  • She has also worked as a television host, including on *The Talk* and *People Puzzler*.
🍁
Canadian context

Leah Remini has appeared in television and film content that has circulated widely in Canada, including major U.S. sitcoms and documentary programming, but she is primarily an American entertainment figure.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Leah Remini best known for playing?
She is best known for playing Carrie Heffernan on *The King of Queens*.
When was Leah Remini born?
She was born on June 15, 1970.
Did Leah Remini leave Scientology?
Yes. Sources state that she left the Church of Scientology in 2013.
What book did Leah Remini write about Scientology?
She wrote *Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology*, a memoir released in 2015 that became a bestseller.
What is *Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath*?
It is an A&E documentary series that Remini co-produced and hosted from 2016 to 2019.
Is Leah Remini Canadian?
No. She is an American actress born in Brooklyn, New York.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leah_Remini
    Supports: Basic biography, *The King of Queens*, Scientology departure, memoir, and documentary series.
  2. Leah Remini official website — https://leahremini.com/bio
    Supports: Career overview, Emmy-winning work, and residence in Los Angeles.
  3. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/actors/leah-remini
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and acting career overview.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0718957/
    Supports: Television and film credits, hosting roles, and marriage/child information.
  5. Fandango — https://www.fandango.com/people/leah-remini-560791/biography
    Supports: Career summary including sitcom work, film roles, and documentary series.
  6. People — https://www.people.com/tag/leah-remini/
    Supports: Biography, career milestones, Scientology departure, memoir, and personal life.