It was 40 years ago today that the world was blessed with Steve Howey — and that was a day we’re particularly grateful for, since he’s been playing Kevin Ball — arguably the best character on Shameless — for seven seasons!

Of course, there are plenty of reasons to love Kev! Not only does he regularly provide the comic relief for a show that’s already known to make us laugh out loud, but he also regularly provides us with #RelationshipGoals courtesy of his relationship with Veronica (played by the gorgeous Shanola Hampton).

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And just when you thought that his body was enough to love the real Steve, his Shameless co-star Emma Rose Kenney — who plays Debbie Gallagher on the show — revealed that he’s just like Kev IRL!

When asked which actor was most like their on-screen character, the 17-year-old gushed, “Probably Steve Howey, who plays Kev. He’s not stupid at all thought — he’s so smart — he’s just so hilarious. He’s so funny. He does the monkey face, I don’t even know, it’s just so funny. He’s the best.”

Sounds like a dream come true!

Celebrate Kev’s — uh, we mean Steve’s — birthday by checking out Kev’s funniest one-liners below!

kevin ball
kevin ball
kevin ball
kevin ball
kevin ball
kevin ball

(All pics courtesy of Showtime)

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