Keegan-Michael Key
{{Short description|American comedian and actor (born 1971)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Keegan-Michael Key
| image = Keegan-Michael Key by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
| caption = Key in 2024
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|3|22}}
| birth_place = Southfield, Michigan, U.S.
| alma_mater = {{ubl|University of Detroit Mercy (BFA)|Pennsylvania State University (MFA)}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|producer|writer}}
| years_active = 1999–present
| other_names = Keegan Key
| relatives = {{ubl|Dwayne McDuffie|(half-brother)}}
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Cynthia Blaise|1998|2017|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Elisa Pugliese|June 8, 2018}}}}
}}
Keegan-Michael Key (born March 22, 1971) is an American comedian, actor, producer, and writer. He and Jordan Peele co-created and co-starred in the sketch series Key & Peele (2012–2015) for which he received one Primetime Emmy Award from ten nominations. He also acted in the sketch series Mad TV (2004–2009), sitcom Playing House (2014–2017), the comedy series Friends from College (2017–2019) and the series Reboot (2022). He also appeared alongside Peele in the first season of the series Fargo in 2014, and had a recurring role on Parks and Recreation from 2013 to 2015. Key later starred in the musical comedy series Schmigadoon! (2021–2023).
Key has had supporting roles in several films, including Horrible Bosses 2 (2014), Pitch Perfect 2 (2015), Don't Think Twice (2016), Dolemite Is My Name (2019), The Prom (2020), and Wonka (2023). He has provided voice-work for The Lego Movie (2014), the subsequent films of the Hotel Transylvania franchise (2015–2022), Storks, The Angry Birds Movie (both 2016), The Star (2017), Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers, Wendell & Wild (both 2022), The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Migration (both 2023), IF, and Transformers One (both in 2024). He has also voiced roles in Disney's Toy Story 4 (2019) and the live-action remakes of The Lion King (2019), and Pinocchio (2022).
In 2015, he appeared at the White House Correspondents' Dinner as the Key & Peele character Luther, President Barack Obama's anger translator. Key and Peele produced and starred in the 2016 action-comedy film Keanu. In 2017, Key made his Broadway debut in the comic play Meteor Shower. He hosted The Planet's Funniest Animals on Animal Planet (2005–2008), and hosted Game On! in 2020.
Early life
Key was born in Southfield, Michigan, on March 22, 1971,{{Cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/people/keegan-michael-key|title=Keegan-Michael Key|website=Biography|language=en-us|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327135409/https://www.biography.com/people/keegan-michael-key|archive-date=March 27, 2019|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/people/keegan-michael-key/|title=Keegan Michael Key|last=Empire|website=Empire|language=en|access-date=December 3, 2018|archive-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203202808/https://www.empireonline.com/people/keegan-michael-key/|url-status=live}} the son of an African-American father, Leroy McDuffie, and Carrie Herr, a woman of Polish and Flemish descent.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/02/23/brother-another-mother|title=Brother from Another Mother|first=Zadie |last=Smith|date=February 23, 2015|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=May 9, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506145330/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/02/23/brother-another-mother|archive-date=May 6, 2016}}{{cite magazine |last1=Key |first1=Keegan-Michael |title=Keegan-Michael Key & Olivia Munn Answer the Web's Most Searched Questions |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUaQBCN4Aoc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/AUaQBCN4Aoc |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |url-status=live|via=YouTube |magazine=Wired |access-date=September 14, 2018}}{{cbignore}} He was adopted at a young age by a couple from Detroit, Michael Key and Patricia Walsh, who were both social workers. Like his birth parents, his adoptive parents were a black man and a white woman.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/02/23/brother-from-another-mother|title=Key and Peele's Comedy Partnership|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=December 3, 2018|language=en-US}} Through his biological father, Key had two half-brothers, one of whom was comic book writer Dwayne McDuffie.{{Cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/story/keegan-michael-key-related-to-comics-legend|title=Keegan-Michael Key Hinted He's Related to a Comic-Book Legend|last=Rivera|first=Joshua|date=September 18, 2015|work=GQ|access-date=December 3, 2018|language=en|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411005447/https://www.gq.com/story/keegan-michael-key-related-to-comics-legend|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=You Made It Weird #275: Keegan-Michael Key|url=http://nerdist.com/you-made-it-weird-275-keegan-michael-key/|publisher=Nerdist Podcast|access-date=October 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618175411/https://nerdist.com/you-made-it-weird-275-keegan-michael-key/|archive-date=June 18, 2018|url-status=dead}} Key discovered the existence of his half-siblings only after both had died.{{cite web|title=Keegan-Michael Key Has Learned That He And Dwayne McDuffie Were Half Brothers|date=September 18, 2015|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/09/18/keegan-michael-kay-has-learned-that-he-and-dwayne-mcduffie-were-half-brothers/|publisher=Bleeding Cool|access-date=October 9, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151006081538/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/09/18/keegan-michael-kay-has-learned-that-he-and-dwayne-mcduffie-were-half-brothers/|archive-date=October 6, 2015}}
Raised Catholic, Key attended the University of Detroit Mercy as an undergraduate, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater in 1993,{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/keegan-michael-key/bio/196688/|title=Keegan-Michael Key Biography|work=TV Guide|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814001019/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/keegan-michael-key/bio/196688/|archive-date=August 14, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=November 14, 2017}} followed by a Master of Fine Arts in theater at Pennsylvania State University in 1996.{{cite web|first=John |last=Patishnock |title=Alum Keegan-Michael Key discusses career, approach to comedy and handling fame |date=October 9, 2014 |access-date=February 2, 2015 |publisher=Pennsylvania State University |url=http://news.psu.edu/story/329571/2014/10/09/arts-and-entertainment/alum-keegan-michael-key-discusses-career-approach |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021221839/http://news.psu.edu/story/329571/2014/10/09/arts-and-entertainment/alum-keegan-michael-key-discusses-career-approach |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |url-status=live}} While at the University of Detroit Mercy, he was a brother of Phi Kappa Theta.{{cite news|last1=Walsworth|first1=Jack|title=Keegan-Michael Key: Comedy Central star fondly recalls his days at university|url=http://www.thevarsitynews.net/news/view.php/851621/Keegan-Michael-Key-Comedy-Central-star-f|access-date=May 4, 2017|work=The Varsity News|date=December 11, 2013|archive-date=April 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401215910/http://www.thevarsitynews.net/news/view.php/851621/Keegan-Michael-Key-Comedy-Central-star-f|url-status=live}}
Career
=''Mad TV''=
In 2004, Key joined the cast of Mad TV midway into the ninth season. He and Jordan Peele were cast against each other, but both ended up being picked after demonstrating great comedic chemistry. Key played many characters on the show. One of his most famous characters is "Coach Hines", a high school sports coach who frequently disrupts and threatens students and faculty members. On the penultimate episode of Mad TV, Hines revealed that he is the long-lost heir to the Heinz Ketchup company and only became a Catholic school coach to help delinquent teenagers like Yamanashi (Bobby Lee). During seasons 9 and 10, Key appeared as "Dr. Funkenstein" in blaxploitation parodies, with Peele playing the monster. Key also portrayed various guests on Real **********ing Talk like the strong African Rollo Johnson and blind victim Stevie Wonder Washington. He often went "backstage" as Eugene Struthers, an ecstatic water-or-flower delivery man who accosts celebrities. There was also "Jovan Muskatelle", a shirtless man with a jheri curl and a shower cap who interrupts live news broadcasts by a reporter (always played by Ike Barinholtz), annoying him with rapid-fire accounts of events that have happened frequently exclaiming "It was crazy as hell!" Celebrities that Key impersonated on the show include Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Roscoe Orman (as his character Gordon from Sesame Street), Matthew Lillard, Bill Cosby, Al Roker, Terrell Owens, Tyler Perry, Keith Richards, Eddie Murphy (as his character James "Thunder" Early from the movie Dreamgirls), Sherman Hemsley (as his character George Jefferson on The Jeffersons), Charles Barkley, Sendhil Ramamurthy (as Mohinder Suresh), Tyson Beckford, Seal (originally played by Peele until Peele left the show at the end of season 13), Sidney Poitier, Lionel Richie, Barack Obama, Kobe Bryant and Jack Haley (as the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz). He also played female celebrities, including Phylicia Rashād, Robin Antin, and Eva Longoria (as Gabrielle Solis on a Desperate Housewives parody).
=''Key & Peele''=
Key and his Mad TV castmate Jordan Peele starred in their own Comedy Central sketch series Key & Peele, which began airing on January 31, 2012, and ran for five seasons until September 9, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/09/key-peele-comedy-central-finale/404959/|title=Goodbye and Thank You, Key & Peele|last=Sims|first=David|work=The Atlantic|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=May 3, 2016|archive-date=May 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514143025/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/09/key-peele-comedy-central-finale/404959/|url-status=live}}
Key was introduced by President Barack Obama at the 2015 White House Correspondents' Dinner as Luther, Obama's Anger Translator, one of Key's characters from Key & Peele.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2015/04/26/watch-more-of-keegan-michael-key-as-luther-obamas-anger-translator/|title=Watch more of Keegan-Michael Key as 'Luther,' Obama's 'anger translator'|first=Amy |last=Argetsinger|date=April 26, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 9, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723104849/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2015/04/26/watch-more-of-keegan-michael-key-as-luther-obamas-anger-translator/|archive-date=July 23, 2015}}
=''Friends from College''=
Key played the most prominent male character, Ethan Turner, on the Netflix ensemble comedy Friends from College, about a group of Harvard University graduates and friends now in their late 30s living in New York City. He plays an award-winning fiction writer who is being encouraged to start writing for young adult fiction audiences.
=Other work=
File:Barack Obama and Keegan-Michael Key at White House Correspondents' Association Dinner 2015.jpg and Keegan-Michael Key at White House Correspondents' Association Dinner 2015]]
Key was one of the founders of Hamtramck, Michigan,'s Planet Ant Theatre, and was a member of the Second City Detroit's mainstage cast before joining the Second City e.t.c. theater in Chicago. Key co-founded the Detroit Creativity Project along with Beth Hagenlocker, Marc Evan Jackson, Margaret Edwartowski, and Larry Joe Campbell.{{cite news|last=Kuras |first=Amy |title=Actors Reach Out to Local Teens |url=http://ycommunityimpact.org/2012/04/04/actors-reach-out-to-local-teens/ |access-date=December 25, 2012 |newspaper=Y Community Impact |date=April 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104025720/http://ycommunityimpact.org/2012/04/04/actors-reach-out-to-local-teens/ |archive-date=November 4, 2013}} The Detroit Creativity Project teaches students in Detroit improvization as a way to improve their communication skills. Key performed with The 313, an improv group formed with other members of Second City Hollywood that appears around the country.{{cite news|last=Calamia|first=Donald|title=Detroiter Keegan-Michael is 'key' to The 313|url=http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=19541|access-date=December 25, 2012|newspaper=Pride Source|date=July 20, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111195600/http://www.pridesource.com/article.html?article=19541|archive-date=November 11, 2013}}{{cite web|title=Schedule announced: Detroit Improv Festival|url=http://www.encoremichigan.com/article.html?article=6404|publisher=Encore Michigan|access-date=December 25, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909045535/http://www.encoremichigan.com/article.html?article=6404|archive-date=September 9, 2013}} The 313 is made up primarily of former Detroit residents and is named for Detroit's area code.{{cite web|title=The 313|url=http://sfsketchfest.com/x/performers/the-313/|publisher=SF Sketchfest|access-date=December 25, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121229081753/http://sfsketchfest.com/x/performers/the-313/|archive-date=December 29, 2012}}
He made a cameo in "Weird Al" Yankovic's video "White & Nerdy" with Peele. Key also hosted Animal Planet's The Planet's Funniest Animals.{{cite web | work=Pennsylvania State University School of Theatre | title=Penn State Alum, Keegan-Michael Key, Lands Starring Role as Host of Planet's Funniest Animals | url=http://www.theatre.psu.edu/ourstory/news/111105_key.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120135528/http://www.theatre.psu.edu/ourstory/news/111105_key.html | publisher=Pennsylvania State University | year=2005 | archive-date=November 20, 2007 | access-date=January 17, 2008}} In 2009, Key hosted GSN's "Big Saturday Night", and has co-starred in Gary Unmarried on CBS. Key was a panelist on the NPR comedy quiz show Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me... on March 27 and July 24, 2010. Key has been in several episodes of Reno 911! as the "Hypothetical Criminal".
Key and Peele were featured on the cover and in a series of full-page comic photos illustrating The New York Times Magazine article "Is Giving the Secret to Getting Ahead?" on March 31, 2013. A live-action video version was also featured on the Times' website.{{cite news|last=Streiber|first=Art|title=The Saintly Way to Succeed|url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/2013/03/27/magazine/100000002139134/the-generosity-of-key-and-peele.html|access-date=March 30, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 27, 2013|archive-date=March 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330034354/http://www.nytimes.com/video/2013/03/27/magazine/100000002139134/the-generosity-of-key-and-peele.html|url-status=live}} Key co-stars in the horror-comedy Hell Baby. Key is one of the rotating "fourth chair" performers in the 2013 revival of Whose Line Is It Anyway?.
In addition to Key & Peele, he also co-starred in the USA Network comedy series Playing House, which began airing in April 2014.
Together with Peele, Key played an FBI agent in a recurring role in the 2014 FX crime drama Fargo.
File:Keegan-Michael Key (43549184132).jpg]]
{{multiple image
| total_width = 200
| image1 = Portrait Gandhi.jpg
| width1 = 91
| image2 = Michael Jordan in 2014.jpg
| width2 = 109
| footer = Key has portrayed and rapped as Indian civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi (left) and American basketball player Michael Jordan (right) for Epic Rap Battles of History.
}}
Key and Peele starred in an episode of Epic Rap Battles of History, with Key playing Mahatma Gandhi and Peele playing Martin Luther King Jr.{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Gutelle|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/02/25/key-and-peele-epic-rap-battles-of-history/|title=Key And Peele Bring Gandhi, MLK To Epic Rap Battles Of History|publisher=Tubefilte.com|date=September 11, 2015|access-date=December 29, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060950/http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/02/25/key-and-peele-epic-rap-battles-of-history/|url-status=live}} The pair returned to Epic Rap Battles of History with the "Muhammad Ali versus Michael Jordan" battle, with Key portraying Jordan.{{cite tweet|title=We do!|user=KeeganMKey|number=403339794026991616|first=Keegan Michael|last= Key|access-date=November 25, 2013|date=November 21, 2013|quote=We have a new one coming out after Thanksgiving. Muhammad Ali versus Michael Jordan|url-status=live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225305/https://twitter.com/KeeganMKey/status/403339794026991616|archive-date=December 2, 2013}}
Key was involved in audio episodes for the marketing campaign, "Hunt the Truth" on the website for the video game Halo 5: Guardians, voicing a fictional journalist and war photographer named Benjamin Giraud, who investigates the Master Chief's background.{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-23-halo-5-guardians-arg-includes-serial-style-fictional-podcast-expose-on-master-chief | title=Halo 5 ARG includes Serial-style fictional podcast exposé on Master Chief | work=Eurogamer | first=Wesley | last=Yin-Poole | date=March 23, 2015 | access-date=March 23, 2015 | archive-date=March 25, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325191051/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-23-halo-5-guardians-arg-includes-serial-style-fictional-podcast-expose-on-master-chief | url-status=live}}
Key has had roles in numerous films, including 2014's Horrible Bosses 2, Let's Be Cops and the animated The Lego Movie, as well as Pitch Perfect 2, Tomorrowland, and Wonka in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Robert |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Wonka Movie Posters: Timothée Chalamet, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Coleman, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Grant, Calah Lane & More |url=https://deadline.com/gallery/wonka-movie-posters-characters/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202063608/https://deadline.com/gallery/wonka-movie-posters-characters/ |url-status=live}} Key and Peele are currently working with Judd Apatow on a feature-length film for Universal Pictures.{{cite web|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|url=https://deadline.com/2013/11/key-peele-partners-team-with-judd-apatow-for-universal-pitch-deal-634256/|title='Key & Peele' Partners Team With Judd Apatow For Universal Pitch Deal|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 13, 2013|access-date=November 13, 2013|archive-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113174813/http://www.deadline.com/2013/11/key-peele-partners-team-with-judd-apatow-for-universal-pitch-deal/|url-status=live}}
Key is one of several hosts of the podcast Historically Black by American Public Media and The Washington Post.{{cite web|url=http://www.apmreports.org/historically-black|title=Historically Black Podcast – APM Reports|publisher=American Public Media |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908033438/http://www.apmreports.org/historically-black|archive-date=September 8, 2016}}
Key voices the character Murray the Mummy in Hotel Transylvania 2, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation and Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. The character was originally voiced by rapper CeeLo Green in the first movie.
In the summer of 2017 Key returned to the theater after what he characterized as a "19-year detour into sketch comedy" for a production of Hamlet at New York's Public Theater, playing Horatio opposite Oscar Isaac in the title role.{{cite news |last=Clement |first=Olivia |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/the-19-year-detour-that-took-keegan-michael-key-from-comedy-central-to-hamlet |title=The 19-Year Detour That Took Keegan-Michael Key from Comedy Central to Hamlet |work=Playbill |date=July 3, 2017 |access-date=July 8, 2017 |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706152502/http://www.playbill.com/article/the-19-year-detour-that-took-keegan-michael-key-from-comedy-central-to-hamlet |url-status=live}} Key, who is a Shakespearean-trained actor, fulfilled his lifelong dream to play Horatio and received rave reviews for his performance.{{cite web |title=Keegan-Michael Key Is A Shakespearean-Trained Actor | date=July 19, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaotxtC8pLw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/QaotxtC8pLw |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |url-status=live|via=YouTube |access-date=February 8, 2019}}{{cbignore}} The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney noted that Key's comedic skills were on full display, "...but his ease with the verse and stirring sensitivity [was] a revelation."{{cite web |last1=Rooney |first1=David |title='Hamlet': Theater Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/oscar-isaac-hamlet-theater-1020612 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 13, 2017 |access-date=December 10, 2018 |archive-date=April 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422124153/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/oscar-isaac-hamlet-theater-1020612 |url-status=live}}
Key voice acted in The Star, the animated film based on the Nativity of Jesus.{{cite news|last1=Masters|first1=Kim|title=Studios' 2017 Forecast: Big Bets, Franchise Fears and Executive Intrigue|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2017-movies-biggest-gambles-justice-league-mummy-960935/item/sony-what-watch-2017-960933|access-date=January 6, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 5, 2016|archive-date=January 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106013951/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2017-movies-biggest-gambles-justice-league-mummy-960935/item/sony-what-watch-2017-960933|url-status=live}} He later went on to voice Ducky in Toy Story 4 and Kamari in The Lion King.{{cite web|last=Schaffstall|first=Katherine|title=Keegan-Michael Key Explains How He and Jordan Peele Improvised 'Toy Story 4' Song|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/keegan-michael-key-improvising-jordan-peele-toy-story-4-1219321|access-date=October 14, 2019|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 18, 2019|archive-date=October 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014033042/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/keegan-michael-key-improvising-jordan-peele-toy-story-4-1219321|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Chichizola|first=Corey|title=Keegan Michael-Key Is Dreading Lion King Press Over Beyonce Questions|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2475196/keegan-michael-key-is-dreading-lion-king-press-over-beyonce-questions|access-date=October 14, 2019|work=CinemaBlend|date=June 18, 2019|archive-date=October 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014030600/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2475196/keegan-michael-key-is-dreading-lion-king-press-over-beyonce-questions|url-status=live}} Key voiced "Honest John" Worthington Foulfellow in the live-action film adaptation of Disney's Pinocchio, which stars Tom Hanks, Cynthia Erivo and Luke Evans, as well as Toad in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day and Seth Rogen, and a scarlet macaw Delroy in Migration both from Illumination.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |title=Nintendo Direct: Chris Pratt Will Voice Mario in the Super Mario Bros. Movie |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |work=IGN |date=September 23, 2021 |accessdate=September 24, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923223916/https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |archivedate=September 23, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=September 23, 2021|title=Super Mario Bros. Animated Pic Sets Cast: Chris Pratt As Mario, Charlie Day As Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy As Princess Peach & More|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/super-mario-bros-animated-movie-cast-chris-pratt-charlie-day-anya-taylor-joy-jack-black-seth-rogen-1234843447 |website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=September 23, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923225946/https://deadline.com/2021/09/super-mario-bros-animated-movie-cast-chris-pratt-charlie-day-anya-taylor-joy-jack-black-seth-rogen-1234843447/ |archive-date=September 23, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |date=26 April 2023 |title=Illumination's 'Migration' Cast Includes Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, Danny DeVito & More – CinemaCon |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/migration-kumail-nanjiani-elizabeth-banks-awkwafina-keegan-michael-key-cinemacon-1235338710/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427022624/https://deadline.com/2023/04/migration-kumail-nanjiani-elizabeth-banks-awkwafina-keegan-michael-key-cinemacon-1235338710/ |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |access-date=26 April 2023 |website=Deadline}} In 2024, Key voiced B-127 / Bumblebee in the animated prequel film Transformers One, sharing cast with Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Brian Tyree Henry and Jon Hamm.
In 2017, Key made his Broadway debut{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Keegan-Michael-Key/|title=Keegan-Michael Key Theatre Credits|website=broadwayworld.com|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201232559/https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Keegan-Michael-Key/|url-status=live}} in Steve Martin's comedy Meteor Shower.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/theater/meteor-shower-amy-schumer-steve-martin-review.html|title=Review: Look Up! It's Amy Schumer in 'Meteor Shower'|last=Green|first=Jesse|date=November 29, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 1, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410210431/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/theater/meteor-shower-amy-schumer-steve-martin-review.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/legit/reviews/meteor-shower-review-amy-schumer-steve-martin-1202626028/|title=Broadway Review: Amy Schumer in Steve Martin's 'Meteor Shower'|last=Stasio|first=Marilyn|date=November 30, 2017|work=Variety|access-date=December 1, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=June 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626110940/https://variety.com/2017/legit/reviews/meteor-shower-review-amy-schumer-steve-martin-1202626028/|url-status=live}} His hosting stint on Saturday Night Live on May 15, 2021, marked the first time a MADtv cast member has hosted SNL.
Key currently hosts popular science show Brain Games on National Geographic, which was renewed for a ninth season, his second, on January 17, 2020.{{Cite web|title=Nat Geo Renews 'Brain Games,' 'Running Wild With Bear Grylls' and 'Life Below Zero'|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/brain-games-running-wild-with-bear-grylls-life-below-zero-renewed-nat-geo-1203471419/|last=Thorne|first=Will|date=January 17, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=May 23, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802220356/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/brain-games-running-wild-with-bear-grylls-life-below-zero-renewed-nat-geo-1203471419/|url-status=live}}
On May 14, 2020, he hosted an online event by the Jazz Foundation of America to support its emergency fund for COVID-19.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9335531/coronavirus-quarantine-music-events-online-streams|title=Coronavirus: Ongoing List of Virtual Concerts & Livestreams|date=May 15, 2020|magazine=Billboard}}
On December 8, 2023, he played as the chocolate-addicted Chief-of-Police in league with the Chocolate Cartel in the musical film Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet, in which it is a prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and he was also sharing a cast in the film with Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins and Rowan Atkinson.
Personal life
Key was married to actress and dialect coach Cynthia Blaise from 1998 until 2017. They were legally separated in November 2015, with Key filing for divorce the following month.{{cite web |last1=Stone |first1=Natalie |url=http://people.com/tv/keegan-michael-key-cynthia-blaise-finalize-divorce/ |title=Keegan-Michael Key & Cynthia Blaise Finalize Divorce Days Before He Announces Engagement |work=People |date=November 16, 2017 |access-date=April 30, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430050134/http://people.com/tv/keegan-michael-key-cynthia-blaise-finalize-divorce/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Bitette|first1=Nicole|url=http://nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/keegan-michael-key-finalizes-divorce-days-engaged-article-1.3637905|title=Keegan-Michael Key finalizes divorce settlement with wife of almost 20 years|work=Daily News|location=New York|date=November 16, 2017|access-date=April 30, 2018|language=en|archive-date=April 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414014831/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/keegan-michael-key-finalizes-divorce-days-engaged-article-1.3637905|url-status=live}} He married producer and director Elisa "Elle" Pugliese in New York City on June 8, 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/tv/keegan-michael-key-weds-elisa-pugliese/|title=Keegan-Michael Key Is Married! See Photos of Actor's Wedding to Elisa Pugliese in N.Y.C.|work=People|access-date=December 3, 2018|language=en|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327145754/https://people.com/tv/keegan-michael-key-weds-elisa-pugliese/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://people.com/tv/keegan-michael-key-engaged-elisa-pugliese/ |title=Keegan-Michael Key Is Engaged to Producer Elisa Pugliese |work=People |date=November 14, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2018 |archive-date=January 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101135728/http://people.com/tv/keegan-michael-key-engaged-elisa-pugliese/ |url-status=live}}
Key is a Christian and has practiced Buddhism, Catholicism, and Evangelicalism in the past.{{cite web|url=http://www.ericspitznagel.com/playboy/keegan-michael-key-20q/|title=Keegan-Michael Key Opens Up On Race, Religion and the Power of Kittens|last=Spitzy|access-date=January 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120144143/http://www.ericspitznagel.com/playboy/keegan-michael-key-20q/|archive-date=January 20, 2019|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://archive.thinkprogress.org/the-essential-comedians-for-the-age-of-obama-a-conversation-with-keegan-michael-key-and-jordan-peele-a8af62be37ca/|title=The Essential Comedians for the Age of Obama: A Conversation with Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele|date=February 13, 2012}} Being biracial has been a source of comedic material for Key, who told Terry Gross in an interview for NPR, "I think the reason Jordan and I became actors is because we did a fair amount of code-switching growing up and still do."{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2013/12/31/256605611/for-key-and-peele-biracial-roots-bestow-special-comedic-power|title=For Key And Peele, Biracial Roots Bestow Special Comedic 'Power'|date=December 31, 2013|work=NPR.org|access-date=May 9, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505005025/http://www.npr.org/2013/12/31/256605611/for-key-and-peele-biracial-roots-bestow-special-comedic-power|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/24/key-peele-the-color-of-funny/|title='Key & Peele': The color of funny|last=Siek|first=Stephanie|publisher=CNN|date=February 24, 2012|access-date=March 3, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302123200/http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/24/key-peele-the-color-of-funny/|archive-date=March 2, 2012}}
Key is a keen soccer fan and an avid supporter of English Premier League club Liverpool,{{cite news|url=https://meninblazers.com/2018/09/18/mib-keegan-michael-key/|title=The Men in Blazers Show with Keegan-Michael Key|date=September 18, 2018|work=Men in Blazers|access-date=January 27, 2021|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201213158/https://meninblazers.com/2018/09/18/mib-keegan-michael-key/|url-status=live}} and is a fan of the NFL's Detroit Lions.{{cite web |title=Lions Superfan Keegan-Michael Key Discusses Detroit's Optimism for 2024 Season |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/lions-superfan-keegan-michael-key-discusses-detroit-optimism-2024-season |website=SI |date=23 August 2024}}
Philanthropy
Key has worked with the Young Storytellers Foundation as an actor for their annual fundraiser alongside Max Greenfield, Jack Black and Judy Greer.{{cite web|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|title=Keegan-Michael Key, Max Greenfield Set for Young Storytellers' Biggest Show Fundraiser|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/keegan-michael-key-max-greenfield-jack-black-young-storytellers-foundation-biggest-show-1201610579/|work=Variety|date=October 5, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2017|archive-date=May 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513151429/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/keegan-michael-key-max-greenfield-jack-black-young-storytellers-foundation-biggest-show-1201610579/|url-status=live}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable"
|+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} |Denotes works that have not yet been released |
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 1999
| Get the Hell Out of Hamtown | J | |
| 2000
| Garage: A Rock Saga | TV Studio Manager | |
| 2003
| Airport Stranger | |
| 2004
| Mr. 3000 | Reporter | |
| rowspan="2"|2006
| Alleyball | Curt Braunschweib | |
| Grounds Zero
| Arch | rowspan="3"|Short film |
| 2007
| Sucker For Shelley | Michael |
| rowspan="3"|2008
| Yoga Matt | Matt |
| Role Models
| Duane | |
| Land of Arabia
| Dwayne | rowspan="2"|Short film |
| rowspan="2"|2010
| Welcome to the Jungle Gym | Mike McKenzie |
| Due Date
| New Father | |
| rowspan="2"|2011
| Ernesto | |
| Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star
| Guinness Man | |
| 2012
| Marcys Flunkie | |
| rowspan="2"|2013
| F'Resnel | |
| Afternoon Delight
| Bo | |
| rowspan="4"|2014
| Frank the Foreman (voice) | |
| Teacher of the Year
| Ronald Douche | |
| Let's Be Cops
| Pupa | |
| Horrible Bosses 2
| Mike | |
| rowspan="6"|2015
| Sammy | |
| Welcome to Happiness
| Proctor | |
| Tomorrowland
| Hugo Gernsback | |
| Vacation
| Jack Peterson | |
| Hotel Transylvania 2
| Murray the Mummy (voice) | |
| Freaks of Nature
| Mr. Keller | |
| rowspan="5"|2016
| Keanu | Clarence, Smoke Dresden | Also producer |
| The Angry Birds Movie
| Judge Peckinpah (voice) | |
| Don't Think Twice
| Jack | |
| Storks
| Alpha Wolf (voice) | |
| Why Him?
| Gustav | |
| rowspan="4"|2017
| Get Out | NCAA Prospect | Uncredited cameo |
| Win It All
| Gene | |
| The Disaster Artist
| Himself | Cameo |
| The Star
| Dave (voice) | |
| rowspan="2"|2018
| Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation | Murray (voice) | |
| The Predator
| Coyle | |
| rowspan="4"|2019
| Ducky (voice) | |
| The Lion King
| Kamari (voice) | |
| Dolemite Is My Name
| Jerry Jones | |
| Playing with Fire
| Mark Rogers | |
| rowspan="3"|2020
| Embry | |
| Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
| Gustafson | |
| The Prom
| Tom Hawkins | |
| rowspan="5"|2022
| Hotel Transylvania: Transformania | Murray (voice) |{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/hotel-transylvania-4-release-date-transformania/ |title=Hotel Transylvania 4 Gets New Title & Release Date |website=Screen Rant |last=Allen |first=Sian |date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409172557/https://screenrant.com/hotel-transylvania-4-release-date-transformania/ |url-status=live}} |
| The Bubble
| Sean Knox/Colt Rockwell | |
| Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
| Bjornson the Cheesemonger / Frog co-worker (voice) | |
| Pinocchio
| Honest John (voice) | |
| Wendell & Wild
| |
| rowspan="3"|2023
| Toad (voice) | |
| Wonka
| Police Chief | |
| Migration
| Delroy (voice) | |
| rowspan="3"|2024
| IF | Slime (voice) | |
| Transformers One
| B-127 (voice) |
| Dear Santa
| Dr. Finklman | |
| 2026
| style="background:#FFFFCC;" | The Super Mario World Movie {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} | Toad (voice) | Voice; in production |
| TBA
| style="background:#FFFFCC;" | Play Dirty {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} | | Post-production |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 2001
| ER | Witkowski | Episode: "Quo Vadis?" |
| 2004
| Orderly | Episode: "Poison Ivy" |
| 2004–2009
| Mad TV | Various | 107 episodes; also writer |
| 2005–2008
| The Planet's Funniest Animals | Host | 30 episodes |
| 2007
| Frangela | DeShawn | Television film |
| 2008
| Woodsy | 1 episode |
| 2008–2009
| Hypothetical Criminal | 8 episodes |
| 2009–2010
| Curtis | 17 episodes |
| 2010
| Eric | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2010–2015
| Cop, Captain Tripper | 3 episodes |
| rowspan="4"|2011
| A Series of Unfortunate People | Ted | Episode: "Family Secret" |
| Love Bites
| Drew | 2 episodes |
| Wilfred
| Dick Barbian | Episode: "Identity" |
| The League
| Steve / Carmenjello | Episode: "Carmenjello" |
| 2012–2015
| Himself, Various | 54 episodes; also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| rowspan="2"|2013
| Calvin | Episode: "Something New" |
| Super Fun Night
| Slade | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2013–2021
| Himself / Fourth Seater | 11 episodes |
| rowspan="3"|2014
| Reverend Deveaux | Episode: "Hungry Games" |
| Hell's Kitchen
| Himself | Guest diner; Season 13 Episode 14: "5 Chefs Compete" |
| Fargo
| FBI Special Agent Bill Budge | 4 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2014–2015
| Joe | 5 episodes |
| BoJack Horseman
| Sebastian St. Clair (voice) | 4 episodes |
| 2014, 2016
| Various (voices) | 2 episodes |
| 2014–2016
| Various (voices) | 5 episodes |
| 2014–2017
| Mark Rodriguez | 21 episodes |
| rowspan="5"|2015
| Ace | 7 episodes |
| TripTank
| King Lhoga (voice) | Episode: "Dirty Talk" |
| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
| Grant Anderson | Episode: "The Gang Goes on Family Fight" |
| White House Correspondents' Dinner
| Luther | Television special |
| W/ Bob & David
| Traffic Cop | Episode: "Episode 3" |
| 2015, 2019
| Fourth Dimensional Being (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2015–2019
| American Ranger, Sgt. Agony, Blue Menace (voices) | 38 episodes |
| rowspan="6"|2016
| Tom Delaney | Episode: "Playdates" |
| Angie Tribeca
| Helmut Fröntbüt | Episode: "Ferret Royale" |
| The Muppets
| Himself | Episode: "Swine Song" |
| House of Lies
| Devin Townsend | Episode: "Johari Window" |
| American Dad!
| E-Money (voice) | Episode: "Criss-Cross Applesauce: The Ballad of Billy Jesusworth" |
| Mack & Moxy
| Admirable Keegan | Episode: "Buckle, Buckle, Seatbelts and Chuckle" |
| 2016–2017
| Archer | Detective Diedrich, Floyd (voices) | 6 episodes |
| 2016, 2018
| Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | Crazy Jimmy, Faux BitConnect Carlos | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="4"|2017
| Jazzy James (voice) | Episode: "The Great Phatsby" |
| Son of Zorn
| Grobos the Great (voice) | Episode: "All Hail Son of Zorn" |
| Detroiters
| Smilin' Jack | Episode: "Smilin' Jack" |
| Samurai Jack
| Da' Samurai (voice) | Episode: "XCVII" |
| 2017–2019
| Ethan Turner | 16 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2018
| Impulse | Michael Pearce | 2 episodes |
| Sesame Street
| Himself | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="3"|2019
| Veep | Jordan Thomas Jr. | Episode: "South Carolina" |
| The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
| The Ritual-Master (skekZok) (voice) | 9 episodes |
| No Activity
| Charles Brock | 2 episodes |
| 2019–2022
| Narrator | 23 episodes |
| rowspan="3"|2020
| Host | 8 episodes |
| Game On!
| Host | 8 episodes |
| Home Movie: The Princess Bride |
| 2021
| Host | Episode: "Keegan-Michael Key/Olivia Rodrigo" |
| 2021–2023
| Josh Skinner | 12 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2022
| Dr. Hobart Clark | 3 episodes |
| Reboot
| Reed Sterling | Main cast |
| rowspan="2"|2024
| Superintendent John Reynolds | 3 episodes |
| Elsbeth
| Ashton Hayes | Episode: "Something Blue" |
=Stage=
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 2003
| Commentary/Additional Voices |
| 2018
| Hotel Transylvania 3: Monsters Overboard | Murray the Mummy |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Artist |
| 2006
| "White & Nerdy" | Black Gangster |
=Podcasts=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |
| 2020
| The Caretaker | Season 1 |
| 2021
| The History of Sketch Comedy | Host | |
=Books=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Title ! Authors ! Notes |
| 2023
| The History of Sketch Comedy: A Journey through the Art and Craft of Humor | Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key | Based on the podcast with new contributions from Mel Brooks, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mike Myers, John Oliver, Tracy Morgan, Carol Burnett, Jordan Peele and more; as well as illustrations and photos.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/books/keegan-michael-key-and-his-wife-reveal-the-cover-of-their-new-book-the-history-of-sketch-comedy/|title=Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key Reveal the Cover of Their New Book 'The History of Sketch Comedy'|last=Jones|first=Alexis|work=People|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=March 31, 2023|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331193917/https://people.com/books/keegan-michael-key-and-his-wife-reveal-the-cover-of-their-new-book-the-history-of-sketch-comedy/|url-status=live}} |
Awards and nominations
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|1221047}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{Jordan Peele}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Key, Keegan-Michael}}
Category:20th-century American comedians
Category:20th-century African-American male actors
Category:20th-century American male actors
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Category:African American adoptees
Category:21st-century African-American male actors
Category:African-American Christians
Category:African-American male comedians
Category:African-American comedians
Category:African-American television producers
Category:African-American television writers
Category:American television writers
Category:American comedy writers
Category:American impressionists (entertainers)
Category:American male comedians
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Category:American male screenwriters
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Category:American people of Flemish descent
Category:American people of Polish descent
Category:American sketch comedians
Category:Christians from Michigan
Category:Comedians from Detroit
Category:Male actors from Detroit
Category:Peabody Award winners
Category:Penn State College of Arts and Architecture alumni
Category:People from Southfield, Michigan
Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners
Category:Screenwriters from Michigan