Joe Keery is an American actor and musician born April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, who achieved widespread recognition portraying Steve Harrington in Netflix’s “Stranger Things” beginning in 2016. The DePaul University Theatre School graduate simultaneously pursues music under the stage name Djo and serves as lead guitarist for psychedelic rock band Post Animal. His recent television work includes Gator Tillman in “Fargo’s” fifth season, while his track “End of Beginning” gained viral TikTok success, demonstrating his multifaceted entertainment industry presence.
Joseph David Keery, an American actor and musician born April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Steve Harrington in the critically acclaimed Netflix science fiction series “Stranger Things,” which premiered in 2016. The second of five children born to Thomas and Laura Keery, he was raised alongside four sisters and developed his early interest in performance through participation in Theater in the Open, a local performing arts camp.
Keery’s educational journey led him to The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, where he graduated in 2014 after cultivating his passion for acting during high school at Newburyport High School. Following graduation, he demonstrated remarkable persistence by attending over 100 auditions while taking on minor television roles and commercial work for brands including KFC, Domino’s Pizza, and Amiibo to establish his career foundation.
Keery’s relentless pursuit of acting success involved attending over 100 auditions and taking commercial work to build his foundation.
His breakthrough came in 2015 when he was cast as Steve Harrington in “Stranger Things,” though he originally auditioned for the character Jonathan. The role’s significance expanded when he was promoted from recurring to regular cast member for the show’s second season, ultimately earning him a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series alongside his castmates.
Beyond “Stranger Things,” Keery has diversified his acting portfolio through appearances in films such as “Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party,” “Spree,” “Molly’s Game,” and “Free Guy,” where he portrayed Walter “Keys” McKey in 2021.
Television credits include roles in “Empire,” “Chicago Fire,” and “No Activity,” while his casting as Gator Tillman in season five of “Fargo” in 2022 demonstrated his range across different genres.
Music represents another significant aspect of Keery’s creative identity, performing under the stage name Djo for his solo work while serving as lead guitarist for the psychedelic rock band Post Animal. His musical inspiration traces back to watching “School of Rock” and listening to AC/DC, leading him to develop skills across multiple instruments within the psychedelic pop and rock genres. His track “End of Beginning” achieved viral success through TikTok, further cementing his musical career alongside his acting achievements. He has become known for his great sense of humor during interviews and media appearances.
Keery’s early career strategy included collaborating with Ben Schwartz on viral comedy videos, capitalizing on their physical resemblance to increase public visibility and fan engagement.
Of Irish and English descent, he has successfully balanced dual careers in acting and music while maintaining recognition for both his ensemble television work and individual artistic pursuits across multiple entertainment mediums.
