50 Facts About Joe Keery (Djo)

Early Life and Education

Joe Keery's journey to fame began in a small town in Massachusetts. His early years were filled with experiences that shaped his future in the arts.

1. Joe Keery was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on April 24, 1992.
2. He is the second of five children in his family.
3. Keery attended River Valley Charter School, a Montessori school for elementary and middle education.
4. He later went to Newburyport High School, where he participated in Theater in the Open, a performing arts camp.
5. His older sister encouraged him to act during high school, sparking his interest in performing arts.
6. Keery studied at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.

Early Career and Breakthrough

Before becoming a household name, Keery took on various roles that helped him hone his craft.

7. Keery appeared in commercials for KFC, Domino's, and Amiibo.
8. He had guest roles in TV shows like Empire and Chicago Fire.
9. His breakthrough role came as Steve Harrington in the Netflix series Stranger Things.
10. Initially auditioning for the role of Jonathan, Keery later sent in a tape for Steve and landed the role in late 2015.
11. Stranger Things premiered in 2016 to critical acclaim, with Keery's character evolving significantly over the seasons.
12. He was promoted from a recurring cast member to a series regular for the second season.

Acting Beyond Stranger Things

Keery's acting career extends beyond his iconic role in Stranger Things, showcasing his versatility.

13. He starred in the satirical horror movie Spree (2020).
14. Keery played Walter "Keys" McKey in the action comedy film Free Guy (2021), a major box-office hit.
15. In 2023, he was cast in the fifth season of the crime drama series Fargo, playing Gator Tillman.
16. Keery appeared in the TV series No Activity as Officer Ed Reinhardt from seasons 3 to 4.
17. He featured in the television specials Death to 2020 and Death to 2021 as Duke Goolies.
18. Keery also appeared in films like After Everything and Slice.
19. He starred alongside Jessica Chastain in Molly’s Game.
20. In May 2022, Keery was cast opposite Liam Neeson in the sci-fi action film Cold Storage.

Music Career as Djo

Keery's talents extend to music, where he has made a name for himself under the stage name Djo.

21. Keery initially released music under the name "Cool Cool Cool."
22. He was a member of the psychedelic rock band Post Animal, which released their debut album in October 2015.
23. Keery performed guitar and vocals for Post Animal's second album, When I Think Of You In A Castle, released in April 2018.
24. He left Post Animal in 2019 to focus on acting and to avoid overshadowing the band.
25. Under the name Djo, Keery launched a solo music career.
26. His first solo single, "Roddy," was released on July 19, 2019.
27. "Chateau (Feel Alright)" followed on August 9, 2019.
28. His debut album as Djo, Twenty Twenty, was released on September 13, 2019.
29. Keery's music received positive reviews, with NME praising his inventive, warped psychedelia.
30. He released his sophomore album, Decide, on September 16, 2022.
31. The album's sleeper hit "End of Beginning" became his first Billboard Hot 100 entry after going viral on TikTok in 2024.
32. In 2022, Keery participated in a summer music festival tour.
33. His music is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.

Personal Life and Fun Facts

Keery's personal life and unique traits add to his charm and appeal.

34. Keery was in a relationship with actress Maika Monroe from 2017 until 2022.
35. He stands at 1.8 meters (5 feet 11 inches) tall.
36. Keery is often compared to fellow actor Ben Schwartz due to their uncanny resemblance.
37. They even did a sketch about their resemblance on James Corden’s show.
38. Keery does not have a public TikTok account.
39. He appeared in an episode of Empire in 2015, playing Tony Trichter III.
40. Keery had guest roles in Chicago Fire, appearing in two episodes as Emmett.
41. He also appeared in an episode of Sirens, playing Scenester in "Screw the One Percent."
42. Keery is active on Twitter (@joe_keery) but has deactivated his Instagram account (@uncle_jezzy).

Post Animal and Djo's Discography

Keery's contributions to music, both with Post Animal and as Djo, showcase his diverse talents.

43. Post Animal's sound is described as psychedelic rock with elements of garage and psych-rock.
44. The band has released three albums: When I Think Of You In A Castle (2018), Forward Motion Godyssey (2020), and Love Gibberish (2022).
45. They also have three EPs: Post Animal Perform the Most Curious Water Activities (2015), The Garden Series (2016), and Worried About You (2020).
46. Under the name Djo, Keery has released two solo albums: Twenty Twenty (2019) and Decide (2022).
47. His singles include "Roddy," "Chateau (Feel Alright)," and "Keep Your Head Up".
48. Keery's music has received positive reviews from critics, with NME praising his debut album Twenty Twenty.
49. His single "End of Beginning" from Decide became a viral hit on TikTok in 2024.
50. Keery's participation in music festivals in 2022 showcased his musical talents to a broader audience.

Joe Keery: A Multifaceted Talent

Joe Keery, known to many as Steve Harrington from Stranger Things, is more than just an actor. His journey from a small-town kid in Newburyport, Massachusetts, to a celebrated actor and musician is inspiring. With a solid foundation in acting from DePaul University, Keery has showcased his versatility in roles beyond Stranger Things, like in Free Guy and Fargo.

But Keery's talents don't stop at acting. Under the name Djo, he's made waves in the music world, releasing critically acclaimed albums like Twenty Twenty and Decide. His music, influenced by psychedelic rock, has earned him a dedicated fanbase and even viral success on TikTok.

Keery's dedication to his craft, whether on screen or stage, makes him a standout in the entertainment industry. His evolving career promises even more exciting projects in the future.