You know that feeling when you start a show and immediately gravitate toward the one character who feels like a giant, lovable golden retriever? That’s Kevin Ball. If you've spent any time wandering through the chaotic, derelict streets of South Side Chicago in the hit Showtime series, you've definitely wondered about the massive guy behind the bar at The Alibi Room. Steve Howey is the actor who played Kevin in Shameless, and honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else bringing that specific mix of dim-witted sincerity and muscular heart to the screen.
He stayed for the long haul. All eleven seasons.
Most people recognize Howey now as the towering, often shirtless, best friend of Lip and Ian Gallagher, but his journey to the South Side wasn't an overnight pivot. Before he was pouring cheap beer and navigating the "throuple" dynamics of Kev, V, and Svetlana, Steve was actually a sitcom staple. He spent years playing Van Montgomery on Reba. It’s a wild transition if you think about it. He went from a PG-rated, goofy son-in-law in a Texas suburb to a foul-mouthed, sex-positive bar owner in one of the grittiest dramedies on television.
From Reba to the Alibi Room: Steve Howey’s Evolution
Let’s be real for a second. Playing the "dumb but lovable" guy is a bit of a tightrope walk. Lean too hard into the "dumb" and the character becomes a caricature that the audience stops rooting for. Lean too hard into the "lovable" and you lose the edge needed for a show as dark as Shameless. Howey nailed it.
He didn't just show up and read lines. He used his physicality—standing at about 6'4"—to create a presence that felt protective. Kevin Ball was the moral compass of the show, even if that compass was sometimes spinning in circles or pointing toward a get-rich-quick scheme involving stolen bikes or medical marijuana.
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His chemistry with Shanola Hampton (who played Veronica Fisher) is legendary in the world of TV casting. They didn't just look like a couple; they felt like a partnership. Throughout 134 episodes, Kevin and V became the bedrock of the show while the Gallaghers were constantly spiraling. While William H. Macy’s Frank Gallagher was the ultimate anti-hero, Howey’s Kevin was the guy you actually wanted to have a drink with.
Breaking Down the Character of Kevin Ball
Kevin wasn't just comic relief. He dealt with some heavy stuff. Remember the storyline about his illiteracy? Or the deep-seated anxiety he felt when he discovered he had a "breast cancer" scare (which turned out to be a benign gynecomastia issue)? Howey played those moments with a vulnerability that caught people off guard.
- The Physicality: Steve Howey is a fitness fanatic in real life. If you noticed him getting leaner and more muscular as the seasons went on, that wasn't just makeup or lighting. He’s been very vocal about his health journey, often posting grueling workouts on Instagram.
- The Timing: Comedy is about beats. Howey’s ability to play off William H. Macy or Jeremy Allen White required a specific kind of rhythm. He knew when to let a joke land and when to just give a confused look that said more than three pages of dialogue.
It's actually pretty funny when you look back at the pilot. Kevin was originally just the neighbor who let Frank pass out on his floor. By the end of the series, he was the heart of the neighborhood.
The Impact of Steve Howey’s Performance
Why do we care so much about who played Kevin in Shameless? Because the show is a masterclass in ensemble acting. When you have a cast this large, it's easy for secondary characters to fade into the background. Howey refused to let that happen.
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He brought a certain "himbo" energy before that was even a popular term. But calling Kevin a himbo feels reductive. He was a father, a husband, and a business owner who genuinely cared about his community. When the Alibi Room faced closure or when the neighborhood started gentrifying, Kevin’s distress felt real. It mirrored the real-life struggles of working-class people in Chicago, even if the show heightened everything for dramatic effect.
Surprising Facts About Steve Howey’s Time on Set
People often ask if the cast actually got along. By all accounts, the Shameless set was a tight-knit family. Howey and Hampton are still close friends. In interviews, Howey has mentioned that the "Kev and V" relationship was built on mutual respect and a lot of improvisation.
Did you know Steve Howey actually had a fractured ankle during some of the filming? He had to hide it or incorporate the limp. The man is a pro. He also directed his own projects during the hiatuses, showing that he’s got more going on than just the acting chops he displayed in the South Side.
What’s Steve Howey Doing Now?
After Shameless wrapped its final season in 2021, fans were worried they’d seen the last of Howey in a leading role. Luckily, that wasn't the case. He moved on to the CBS series True Lies, based on the James Cameron film. He played Harry Tasker, the role originally made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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It was a huge shift. He went from a bar owner to a super-spy. While the show only lasted one season, it proved that Howey could carry an action-heavy series. He’s also appeared in films like Day Shift alongside Jamie Foxx, where he played one of the vampire-hunting Nazarian brothers. Seeing him in full tactical gear with a beard and tattoos was a far cry from Kevin Ball’s apron and ponytail, but the charm was still there.
The Legacy of Kevin Ball
If you're rewatching the show on Netflix right now, pay attention to the small stuff Howey does. The way he reacts to Frank’s nonsense. The way he looks at his kids. The way he handles the "MoPe" (Modern Person) invasion of his bar. It’s a nuanced performance that often gets overlooked because it’s surrounded by the flashier, more tragic Gallagher storylines.
Kevin Ball was the "normal" one. Well, as normal as you can be when you're running a bar that serves breakfast beer to regulars.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're looking to dive deeper into Steve Howey’s work or even learn from his career trajectory, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the Range: Compare an episode of Reba (specifically the middle seasons) with Season 4 of Shameless. Look at how Howey changes his vocal register and posture. It's a great study in character acting.
- Follow the Fitness: If you're interested in the physical transformation he underwent, Howey has shared his routines in various Men’s Health features. He emphasizes consistency over intensity.
- Support the Cast: Many Shameless alumni are working on incredible projects. Jeremy Allen White is killing it in The Bear, and Steve Howey continues to take on diverse roles in film and TV.
- The "Kev" Mindset: Sometimes the best way to handle a chaotic situation is with a little bit of Kevin Ball's optimism. He reminded us that even in the toughest environments, you can still be a decent person.
The next time someone asks who played Kevin in Shameless, you don't just give them a name. You tell them about the guy who took a sitcom archetype and turned him into one of the most beloved characters in prestige television history. Steve Howey didn't just play the role; he owned it for over a decade.
Check out his recent work in Day Shift on Netflix if you want to see him in full-blown action mode—it's a fun ride and shows just how much he’s grown since his days at the Alibi.