After
Seinfeld's run ended, Stiller had planned on retiring, but
Kevin James asked him to join the cast of
The King of Queens. James, who played the leading role of
Doug Heffernan, had told Stiller that he needed him in order to have a successful show. Stiller obliged, and played the role of
Arthur Spooner, the father of
Carrie Heffernan, in the sitcom from 1998 until 2007. Stiller said this role tested his acting ability more than any others have and that, before being a part of
The King of Queens, he only saw himself as a "decent actor"