<Li> Deacon John Palmer (played by Victor Williams) is Doug's best friend and co-worker . Towering in height and athletic, Deacon is a year and a few weeks younger than Doug, but the more mature of the two, in addition to being the classic "family man". Deacon and his wife Kelly have two sons, named Major and Kirby . He is often seen hanging out with Doug, whether it is on their lunch break, over the weekend, or for a family gathering . Although he often experiences relationship problems, Deacon always has time to relax and have fun . He will often help Doug plan elaborate schemes to fool Carrie, but he rarely likes to get involved in the scheme himself . Deacon attended St. John's University in Queens, where he received two bachelor's degrees, one in art history and one in music . In the first - season episode "Best Man", Deacon mentions having served in the National Guard . He also volunteers as a big brother . </Li> <Li> Spencer "Spence" Olchin (played by Patton Oswalt) is another friend of Doug's and the nerd of the group . He tends to be paranoid with fragile health and takes an interest in science fiction, fantasy movies, and comic book conventions--interests that his friends do not share . Spence's birthday is February 14 . He is of Albanian heritage, and works as a subway token booth clerk . He moved to the New York area from rural West Virginia . In one episode, he is a "house boy" for Deacon and Kelly . His character is based largely on the actor who plays him, Patton Oswalt . Spence demonstrates intelligence and competence in a variety of pursuits, but he is haunted by his family history, his intimidating and troubled mother, and his inability to protect himself . Numerous episodes mention that Spence is asthmatic (a burden he shares with Danny) and allergic to peanuts (however, in the episode "Richie's Song" he is seen eating Peanut M&M's out of Doug's vehicle). In the season eight episode "Hartford Wailer", Spence is said to be from Ottawa . He has a Pug named Alan . In the series' penultimate episode, "Single Spaced", Spence shows interest in romancing Carrie when it appears she and Doug will divorce . </Li> <Li> Richard "Richie" Iannucci (seasons 1--3; played by Larry Romano) is one of Doug's closest friends . He and Doug were roommates before Doug married Carrie (shown in the episode "Meet By - Product"). He was quietly written out of the show in season three so Romano could work on another sitcom (Kristin). During that season, he only appeared in one episode, called "Paint Misbehavin". He mostly addressed Doug as "Moose". Richie was known as the ladies' man among Doug's friends, even admitting to sleeping with Doug's sister . Richie is an FDNY firefighter . He is also somewhat of a con artist . His last appearance on the show was in the episode "Paint Misbehavin"', in which he has sex (offscreen) with Doug's sister Stephanie (Ricki Lake) and afterwards she promises to call him, although she has no intention to . He was also briefly seen in a few clips during the flashback montage at the end of the series finale . </Li> <Li> Daniel "Danny" Heffernan (played by Gary Valentine) is Doug's cousin, and he is also seen hanging out with Doug, Deacon and Spence . In the show's early seasons Doug has a negative view of Danny bordering on hate due to the latter's overeagerness to spend time with the former, but at the end of "S'no Job", they become friends and co-workers and regularly hang out along with Deacon and Spence . Danny even becomes Spence's roommate in a small apartment . The two fight like a married couple, and many of the jokes revolve around what looks to their friends like a romantic relationship . At one point, they legally marry in order to get a free TV from a sales pitch for which only married couples are eligible . Danny also used to own a pizza place, and he is divorced from a woman named Eva . He once had the nickname "Stumpy", which was given to him by Doug . Episodes "Silent Mite" and "Paint Misbehavin"' reveal that Danny has asthma and uses an inhaler . Gary Valentine and Kevin James are brothers in real life . They both created last names for acting . Valentine is their father's middle name . </Li>

What happened to richie on the king of queens
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