Joe Keery
{{Short description|American actor and musician (born 1992)}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Joe Keery
| image = Joe Keery by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption = Keery at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con
| other_names =
| birth_name = Joseph David Keery
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|04|24}}
| birth_place = Newburyport, Massachusetts, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|musician}}
| education = DePaul University (BFA)
| years_active = 2015–present
| partner =
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| alias = {{hlist|Djo|Cool Cool Cool}}
| origin = Chicago, Illinois
| genre = {{hlist|Neo-psychedelia|indie rock|psychedelic rock|synth-pop}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|keyboards|drums}}
| past_member_of = Post Animal
| label = AWAL
| website = {{URL|djomusic.com}}}}
}}
Joseph David Keery (born April 24, 1992), known professionally in music as Djo, is an American actor and musician.{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2023 |title=Celebrity Birthdays for the Week of April 23–29 |url=https://apnews.com/article/celebrity-birthdays-late-april-bb737ce921963699dd3cad558d2d036d |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=The Associated Press}} He became known for playing Steve Harrington in the science fiction series Stranger Things (2016–present), and has since starred in the comedy film Free Guy (2021) and in the fifth season of the crime drama series Fargo (2023–2024).
As a musician, Keery was a member of the psychedelic rock band Post Animal. Following his departure from the band, he embarked on a solo career, and released the studio albums Twenty Twenty (2019) and Decide (2022). The latter spawned the sleeper hit and his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, "End of Beginning", after it became viral on TikTok in 2024. His third album, The Crux, was released on April 4, 2025.{{Cite web |title=The Crux CD |url=https://ukeu.djomusic.com/products/the-crux-cd |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Djo |language=en}}
Early life
Keery was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and is the second of five children.{{cite news|url=http://newburyportnews.com/article_da8f07e4-5f7f-5812-ba71-e653c4af65d7.html|title=NHS alum Keery finds fame in Netflix's 'Stranger Things'|last1=Sullivan|first1=Jim|date=August 26, 2016|newspaper=The Daily News of Newburyport|access-date=July 9, 2017}} He attended River Valley Charter School, a local Montessori elementary and middle school, and Newburyport High School.{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2023 |title='Stranger Things' star Joe Keery spotted in New Hampshire |url=https://news.yahoo.com/stranger-things-star-joe-keery-125545313.html |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}} When he was young, he participated in Theater in the Open, a performing arts camp at Maudslay State Park. He acted during high school at his older sister's insistence.{{Cite web |last=Slane |first=Kevin |title= Newburyport's Joe Keery on 'Stranger Things' season 3 and his local roots |url=https://www.boston.com/culture/entertainment/2019/07/03/stranger-things-season-3-joe-keery/ |access-date= December 24, 2023 |website= boston.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Joe Keery Didn't Think He Would Make It Past Stranger Things Season 1 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/video/joe-keery-didnt-think-past-033500587.html |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}
Keery studied at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.{{cite news|last1=Greene|first1=Morgan|title= 'Stranger Things' pulls Ravenswood actor into its orbit|url=https://chicagotribune.com/ct-joe-keery-stranger-things-tv-ae-0821-20160821-story.html|access-date=July 9, 2017|newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date= August 17, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.depaul.edu/theatre-school-news/2016/07/15/joe-keery-plays-steve-harrington-on-hit-netflix-series-stranger-things/|title=Joe Keery Stars in hit Netflix series Stranger Things {{!}} Theatre School News| website=blogs.depaul.edu| format= blog| access-date=August 7, 2019}}
Career
= Acting =
Before his breakout role in Stranger Things, Keery appeared in KFC, Domino's, and Amiibo commercials,{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Kelly |date=July 28, 2016 |title=Who To Watch: Joe Keery |website=Chicago Splash |url=http://www.chicagosplash.com/watch-joe-keery |access-date=July 9, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} and had roles in Empire and Chicago Fire.{{Citation|last=Nintendo|title=Super Smash Bros. - Gameplay & Quest for the amiibo!|date=October 23, 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3c_JDDp99k| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211111/C3c_JDDp99k| archive-date=November 11, 2021 | url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2017}}{{cbignore}} His first appearance in a full-length film was in Stephen Cone's indie, Henry Gamble's Birthday Party.
Keery's breakthrough role was as Steve Harrington in the Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things. He was cast in late 2015; having initially auditioned for the role of Jonathan, he later sent in a tape for his character, Steve.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/joe-keery-steve-stranger-things-2.html|title=Stranger Things' Joe Keery Agrees That Steve's Jeans Were Very Tight|last=Jung|first=E. Alex|work=Vulture|access-date=October 30, 2017|language=en}} The show premiered in 2016 to critical acclaim. He was promoted from recurring cast to a series regular for the second season of Stranger Things.{{cite magazine|last1=Bradley|first1=Laura|title=What Millie Bobby Brown Really Wants from Stranger Things Season 2|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/12/millie-bobby-brown-stranger-things-season-2|access-date=January 2, 2017|magazine=Vanity Fair |publisher=Condé Nast|date=December 13, 2016}} The third and fourth seasons were released in 2019 and 2022, respectively.
Since beginning Stranger Things, Keery has also acted in a few independent movies, including starring in the 2020 satire film, Spree. He also played the role of Walter "Keys" McKey,{{Cite news|last=Jha|first=Aditya Mani|date=October 29, 2021|title=Ready, set, 'gamified'|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/ready-set-gamified/article37225656.ece|access-date=November 9, 2021|issn=0971-751X}} a game developer, in the 2021 action comedy film Free Guy, which went on to become a major box-office hit.{{Cite web|title=Joe Keery: Stranger Guy|url=https://floodmagazine.com/92276/joe-keery-free-guy-feature/|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=FLOOD|language=en-US}} In May 2022, he was cast opposite Liam Neeson in the sci-fi action film Cold Storage.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=May 11, 2022 |title=Hot Cannes Package: Liam Neeson, Joe Keery Star In Jonny Campbell-Helmed Studiocanal Sci-Fi Virus Tale 'Cold Storage;' David Koepp Adapted His Novel |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/liam-neeson-joe-keery-daivd-koepp-jonny-campbell-studiocanal-virus-tale-cold-storage-1235021082/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} In August 2022, he was cast as Gator Tillman in the fifth season of Fargo.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/fargo-joe-keery-lamorne-morris-richa-moorjani-cast-season-5-fx-1235087523/|title='Fargo': Joe Keery, Lamorne Morris & Richa Moorjani Join Season 5 Of FX Series|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=August 8, 2022|access-date=August 8, 2022}}
= Music =
Aside from acting, Keery is also a musician. In his early twenties, he released music under the name "Cool Cool Cool."{{Cite web|url=https://coolcoolcool1.bandcamp.com|title=I'm Not Smart, by Cool Cool Cool|website=Cool Cool Cool|access-date=November 28, 2016}} Keery was a guitarist and drummer for Chicago-based garage and psych-rock band Post Animal.{{cite web|last1=Hillyer|first1=Alec|title=Review: Post Animal's Post Animal Perform the Most Curious Water Activities|url=https://medium.com/@alecghillyer/review-post-animals-post-animal-perform-the-most-curious-water-activities-beea85081e80|website=Medium |publisher=A Medium Corporation|access-date=July 9, 2017|date=August 14, 2016}} Their debut album was released in October 2015.{{cite web|last1=Cooper|first1=Leonie|title=Listen To Steve From Stranger Things' Tame Impala Style Psych Band|url=https://nme.com/listen-to-steve-from-stranger-things-tame-impala-style-psych-band-4645|website=NME|publisher=Time Inc. UK|access-date=July 9, 2017|date=August 5, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The band's second album, When I Think Of You In A Castle, was released in April 2018 and saw Keery performing guitar and vocals. As of 2019, Keery was no longer a touring member of the band, and he later parted ways due to acting commitments.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polyvinylrecords.com/product/when_i_think_of_you_in_a|title=When I Think Of You In A Castle|website=www.polyvinylrecords.com|access-date=February 19, 2019}}{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Joe Keery on 'Stranger Things' season four: "The end is in sight for these guys" |url=https://www.nme.com/features/film-interviews/joe-keery-interview-spree-stranger-things-2733526 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}
On July 19, 2019, Keery self-released the single "Roddy" as a solo artist under the moniker Djo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3k33pb/stranger-things-actor-joe-keerys-new-song-is-even-better-than-his-hair|title='Stranger Things' Actor Joe Keery's New Song Is Even Better Than His Hair|last1=Terry|first1=Josh|last2=Horn|first2=Leslie|date=July 23, 2019|website=Vice|language=en-US|access-date=August 6, 2019}} Keery released a second single on August 9, 2019, titled "Chateau (Feel Alright)" under the same moniker.{{Cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/08/stranger-things-joe-keery-shares-dreamy-new-song-chateau-feel-alright-stream/|title=Stranger Things' Joe Keery shares dreamy new song "Chateau (Feel Alright)": Stream|last=Roffman|first=Michael|date=August 9, 2019|website=Consequence of Sound|language=en-US|access-date=August 19, 2019}} On September 13, 2019, Keery released his debut album as Djo, Twenty Twenty.{{cite web|last1=Daly|first1=Rhian|title=Djo - 'Twenty Twenty' Review|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/djo-twenty-twenty-review-joe-keery|website=NME|date=September 13, 2019|access-date=September 15, 2019}} In a positive review of the album, NME called Keery "a musician of very high calibre who... dabbles in the kind of inventive, warped psychedelia that gently twists your melon and constantly shapeshifts around you," and compared his music to that of Tame Impala and Ariel Pink.{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=September 13, 2019 |title=Djo – 'Twenty Twenty' review |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/djo-twenty-twenty-review-joe-keery-2547210 |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}
On September 9, 2020, he released a new single, "Keep Your Head Up".{{cite web |last1=Kaye |first1=Ben |title=Djo (aka Joe Keery) Unveils New Song "Keep Your Head Up": Stream |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/09/djo-joe-keery-keep-your-head-up-stream/ |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=September 29, 2020 |date=September 9, 2020}} In 2022, he took part in a summer music festival tour. His sophomore album Decide was announced in June 2022, along with the release of its first single "Change".{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Carys |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Djo (Stranger Things' Joe Keery) announces new album Decide, shares "Change": Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2022/06/djo-decide-joe-keery-change-stream/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Arnone |first=Joey |title=Djo (Joe Keery from "Stranger Things") Announces New Album, Shares New Song "Change" |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/djo_joe_keery_from_stranger_things_announces_new_album_shares_new_song_chan |access-date=June 22, 2022 |website=www.undertheradarmag.com |language=en}} The album was released on September 16, 2022, and received positive reviews.{{Cite web |title=Decide by Djo |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/decide/djo |access-date=September 18, 2022 |website=Metacritic}} In 2024, the sixth track of the album, "End of Beginning", was released as a single after gaining popularity and becoming viral on social media.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/djo-end-of-beginning-joe-keery-trend/|title=Djo's End of Beginning: Joe Keery's synth-pop track goes viral with TikTok trend|last=Smith|first=Carl|website=Official Charts Company|date=February 21, 2024|access-date=March 16, 2024}} On April 4, 2025, Keery released his third album, The Crux. It was preceded by the lead single "Basic Being Basic".{{cite web |last1=Gregory |first1=Allie |title=Djo Announces New Album 'The Crux,' Plots World Tour |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/djo-announces-new-album-the-crux-plots-world-tour |website=Exclaim! |access-date=January 24, 2025 |date=January 24, 2025}}
Personal life
Keery dated actress Maika Monroe from 2017 to 2023.{{Cite web |title=Are 'Stranger Things' Actor Joe Keery and Maika Monroe Still Together? Relationship Details, Update |url=https://www.j-14.com/posts/are-joe-keery-maika-monroe-still-together-relationship-update/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |website=J-14 |date=April 24, 2023 }}
Filmography
=Film=
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes ! Ref. |
|---|
| rowspan="3" | 2015
| Sirens | Scenester | Episode: "Screw the One Percent" | |
| Chicago Fire
| Emmett | 2 episodes | |
| Empire
| Tony Trichter III | Episode: "Who I Am" | |
| 2016–present
| Recurring role (season 1) | |
| 2019–2021
| Officer Ed Reinhardt | Recurring role (season 3–4) | |
| 2020
| rowspan="2" | Duke Goolies | rowspan="2" | Television special | |
| 2021
| |
| 2023-2024
| Fargo | Gator Tillman | Main role (season 5) |
Discography
= Studio albums =
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of extended plays, with release date and label shown ! Title ! Details |
| scope="row"| D-Sides
|
|
|---|
= Singles =
Accolades
| class="wikitable"
|+ |
| Year
! Award ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
|---|
| 2017
| rowspan=3| Screen Actors Guild Awards | rowspan=3|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | rowspan=3|Stranger Things | {{won}} |
| 2018
| {{nom}} | {{cite web|title=2018 SAG Award Nominations: See the Full List|website=Vanity Fair|date=December 13, 2017|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/12/sag-award-nominations-2018-list|access-date=January 11, 2018}} |
| 2020
| {{nom}} | |
Tours
- Back on You World Tour (2025)
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|djomusic.com}}
- {{IMDb name|id=6564737}}
{{Joe Keery}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Keery, Joe}}
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:People from Newburyport, Massachusetts
Category:Male actors from Massachusetts
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:DePaul University alumni
Category:American indie rock musicians
Category:American indie pop musicians