Joe Keery | Age, Movies, Music, Girlfriend & Biography
Joe Keery is an American actor and musician best known for playing Steve Harrington in Netflix’s Stranger Things. He also records indie and psychedelic pop as Djo, the artist behind “End of Beginning.” His work in Fargo, Free Guy and Spree shows a wider acting range beyond the role that made him famous.
Who Is Joe Keery?
Joseph David Keery is a Massachusetts-born performer who built parallel careers in television, film and music. After studying acting in Chicago, he found worldwide recognition through Stranger Things while developing his own sound as a songwriter and recording artist.
| Full name | Joseph David Keery |
| Born | April 24, 1992 |
| Age | 34 years old as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Newburyport, Massachusetts, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, singer, songwriter and musician |
| Education | The Theatre School at DePaul University, BFA, 2014 |
| Known for | Stranger Things, Fargo, Djo |
| Music name | Djo |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) |
How Old Is Joe Keery, and When Is His Birthday?
Joe Keery was born on April 24, 1992, making him 34 years old as of 2026. His birthday had already passed by the article’s October 25, 2026 publication date. He was 24 when the first season of Stranger Things premiered in July 2016, although production took place earlier.
Where Is Joe Keery From?
Keery grew up in Newburyport, Massachusetts, a coastal city north of Boston. He attended River Valley Charter School and Newburyport High School. His early exposure to theater included Theater in the Open, a local performing arts program. Acting became a serious interest during his high school years.
He later moved to Chicago to study at DePaul University’s Theatre School. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting in 2014. Chicago was important to his development as both a performer and a musician, but it is not his birthplace.
Who Are Joe Keery’s Parents and Siblings?
Keery grew up in a family of five children and has four sisters. He is the second child. Public biographies identify his father as David Keery, but detailed information about his parents and siblings is limited. He has generally kept relatives outside the entertainment industry away from the spotlight.
How Tall Is Joe Keery?
Joe Keery is listed at about 5 feet 10 inches, or 1.78 meters, in IMDb biographical information. Height figures in celebrity profiles can vary, so this is best understood as a commonly published listing rather than an independently measured figure.
How Did Joe Keery Become Famous on Stranger Things?
Keery became internationally known as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, which debuted on Netflix in 2016. Steve begins the series as a popular high school student whose behavior often puts him at odds with the main characters. As the story progresses, he becomes a dependable friend and protector.
The character’s change gave Keery room to play humor, fear, loyalty and emotional growth. His partnership with Dustin Henderson, played by Gaten Matarazzo, became an especially recognizable part of the show. Steve’s development helped turn a supporting teen character into a major fan favorite.
Before this breakthrough, Keery appeared in smaller television roles, including Chicago Fire and Empire. His training and early screen work gave him experience before a global audience learned his name.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Joe Keery Appeared In?
Keery has worked in independent films, studio comedies, thrillers and television dramas. Several roles show how different his characters can be from Steve Harrington.
- Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party (2015): An early independent feature role.
- Spree (2020): He plays Kurt Kunkle, a rideshare driver whose pursuit of online fame turns violent.
- Free Guy (2021): He plays Keys alongside Ryan Reynolds in a video-game-inspired action comedy.
- Fargo, season 5 (2023 to 2024): He plays Gator Tillman, a troubled sheriff’s deputy.
- Marmalade (2024) and Pavements (2024): Further film projects outside his best-known television role.
In Fargo, Keery’s performance is darker and more uncomfortable than his work in Stranger Things. Gator is caught in a family and power structure shaped by intimidation. The part gave him an opportunity to explore a morally compromised character rather than an easy hero.
What Role Did Joe Keery Play in Free Guy?
Keery plays Walter “Keys” McKey in Free Guy, the 2021 film starring Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer. Keys is a game developer who helps uncover what is happening inside a virtual world. His role supports the film’s mix of comedy, romance and questions about digital identity.
Is Joe Keery Djo? His Music Career Explained
Yes. Djo is Joe Keery’s solo recording name, pronounced like “Joe.” Under that name, he makes music shaped by psychedelic rock, synthesizers, melodic pop and alternative influences. His musical identity is separate from his acting roles, even though his television fame introduced many listeners to his songs.
Keery previously played with the Chicago psychedelic rock band Post Animal. He stepped away as his acting schedule grew, then continued writing and releasing music independently. His solo albums include Twenty Twenty (2019), Decide (2022) and The Crux (2025).
What Is Joe Keery’s Song “End of Beginning” About?
“End of Beginning” is a Djo song from the 2022 album Decide that found a much larger audience after spreading through social media in 2024. Its lyrics reflect on returning to Chicago and recognizing how a place can preserve an earlier version of yourself. The song connects memory, change and a sense of belonging.
The reference to Chicago is meaningful because Keery studied and played music there before his acting career took off. Readers searching for the song’s lyrics can find the official recording or licensed lyric services; a short description of its meaning is more useful here than reproducing copyrighted lyrics.
What Other Songs and Albums Has Djo Released?
Djo’s catalog extends beyond one viral hit. Twenty Twenty introduced his solo sound in 2019, while Decide expanded his use of electronic textures and tightly arranged pop songs. The Crux arrived in 2025 and continued his development as a songwriter.
Notable Djo songs include:
- “Roddy,” an early solo single.
- “Chateau (Feel Alright),” from Twenty Twenty.
- “Change” and “End of Beginning,” from Decide.
- “Basic Being Basic,” associated with The Crux.
The records reward listening as complete projects, not just as collections of singles. Their shifting arrangements and recurring themes distinguish Keery’s musical work from a typical actor side project.
Has Joe Keery Performed Live or Gone on Tour?
Yes. Keery has performed live as Djo, including shows connected to his 2025 album The Crux. Concert listings and tour schedules change, so fans should consult Djo’s official channels or a primary ticketing service for any future dates rather than rely on old announcements.
Does Joe Keery Have a Wife or Girlfriend?
Joe Keery has not publicly confirmed a wife or marriage. His best-documented relationship was with actress Maika Monroe, whom he began dating in 2017. They attended public events together for several years, and their relationship later ended. Neither publicly established an exact breakup date or a detailed reason.
Reports have linked him to other people, but rumors and photographed appearances do not prove a relationship. His precise dating status as of this article’s publication date has not been independently confirmed, so describing him as definitely single or naming a current girlfriend would go beyond verified information.
Are Joe Keery and Sabrina Carpenter Dating?
There is no verified public confirmation that Joe Keery and Sabrina Carpenter have dated. Their playful interaction during Carpenter’s 2025 concert performances attracted attention online, but an onstage joke is not evidence of a romantic relationship. Claims about a private romance should be treated as speculation unless either person confirms it.
Is Joe Keery Gay?
Keery has not made a widely documented public statement identifying his sexual orientation. A person’s past dating history, acting roles or appearance cannot establish their sexuality. It would be inappropriate to assign him a label without his own confirmation.
What Is Joe Keery’s Net Worth?
Joe Keery’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Entertainment websites often publish estimates, but they usually lack access to private contracts, taxes, investments and expenses. His work in television, film, recorded music and touring provides several potential income streams, yet none establishes a reliable personal wealth figure.
Why Is Joe Keery’s Hair So Recognizable?
Keery’s thick, voluminous hairstyle became closely associated with Steve Harrington during Stranger Things. The show’s 1980s setting made the look especially memorable. His changing hairstyles and stage appearance as Djo also help separate his music persona from his best-known television character.
Did Joe Keery Play Spider-Man?
Joe Keery has not played Spider-Man in an officially released Marvel film. Fan casting and online comparisons are not the same as a confirmed screen credit. His established movie work includes Free Guy, Spree and other films listed in his filmography.
Where Does Joe Keery Live Now?
Keery’s exact current home address and primary residence are not publicly established through reliable sources. He has lived and worked in places including Chicago and locations tied to film productions, but those connections do not confirm where he lives in 2026.
His story belongs with the other Stranger Things cast biographies collected here. The series continues through Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, David Harbour, Gaten Matarazzo, Charlie Heaton, and Caleb McLaughlin.
Conclusion
Joe Keery has built a career that reaches well beyond one famous television role. His work as Steve Harrington introduced him to a global audience, while Fargo and his films expanded his acting range. As Djo, he has also developed a distinct musical voice, with “End of Beginning” bringing new attention to years of songwriting.
