Joseph David Keery, known to most people as Joe Keery, is an American actor and musician who climbed from small roles and local bands to international fame as Steve Harrington on Stranger Things
He has also built an active music career that is taken seriously by critics and fans. In recent years he has released full albums as Djo, toured internationally, and returned to record with his former band Post Animal.
His dual life as actor and musician makes him one of the more interesting multi-hyphenate artists working today.
This biography covers his early life, training, acting breakthrough, music career, notable projects, a compact stats table, frequently asked questions, and sources so you can read further.
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Table of Contents
Joe Keery’s Biography
Early life and training
Joe Keery was born Joseph David Keery on April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He grew up in a large household as the second of five children.
As a kid he took part in local theater programs and summer performing arts camps, experiences that helped spark his interest in acting. He performed in school plays and continued into more serious study after high school.1
Keery moved to Chicago for formal training. He attended The Theatre School at DePaul University and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting.
That DePaul training gave him stage experience and a clear grounding in technique. The school later highlighted him among notable graduates.2
Early Career: Commercials, Small Parts and Band Life
After DePaul, Keery began auditioning in Chicago and beyond. His earliest screen work included commercials and small guest roles on TV.
He appeared in brief parts on shows like Empire and Chicago Fire. While doing early acting work he also played in the Chicago indie scene.
Keery joined the band Post Animal, where he performed as a guitarist, vocalist, and on some recordings. This dual start acting by day and music by night set the pattern for his later career.
Post Animal released early EPs and a full album in which Keery took part. He stopped touring with the band when acting obligations grew, and by 2018 he officially stepped away from the lineup to focus on TV and film. He later returned to collaborate with the group in 2025.
The Breakthrough: Stranger Things
The biggest turning point in Keery’s career came in late 2015 when he was cast in Netflix’s Stranger Things. He originally auditioned for a different role but eventually landed the part of Steve Harrington.
The show premiered in 2016 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Keery’s character started as a somewhat shallow high school popular kid.
Over the series he evolved into a protective, funny, and heroic figure, which expanded his range and public affection.
He was promoted from recurring actor to series regular in season two and remained a central figure through the series run. Stranger Things propelled his profile and opened the door for film roles and music exposure.
New dramatic/spiritual/emotional film with @tacobell. Semi-biographical. Escape #thecraving. pic.twitter.com/llz5n04rRL
— Joe Keery (@joe_keery) January 6, 2021
Film and TV Highlights
Keery’s career after Stranger Things shows a mix of film and television projects with a focus on both indie work and studio films.
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Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party (2015) — an early indie film appearance before his breakout.
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Spree (2020) — a dark satire where he played the lead, showing he can carry a film outside of the Stranger Things persona.
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Free Guy (2021) — a mainstream action comedy where he played Walter “Keys” McKey, giving him a wide theatrical audience.
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Fargo (Season 5, 2023–2024) — a main role that allowed him to work in a different dramatic style.
These roles helped Keery avoid one-note casting and showed he can shift tone from comedy to satire to drama.
The Music Life: Djo and The Solo Path
Under the stage name Djo, Joe Keery launched a serious solo music career. He released his first Djo singles in 2019 and the debut album Twenty Twenty the same year.
Critics noted a neo-psychedelic and synth-tinged sound that draws comparison to modern psych-rock and synth-pop acts.
Keery produced music with a clear creative voice, and he continued to release a second album, Decide, in 2022.
His music work has been reviewed and covered by reputable outlets, and he has taken the project on tour.
A key moment in his music trajectory was the renewed attention to the track “End of Beginning,” which gained traction on social platforms and helped the song reach new listeners in 2024.
Keery continued to expand the Djo catalogue and released The Crux in April 2025. He followed that release with touring plans that included international dates. In 2025 he rejoined Post Animal for studio work and touring in support of releases the band issued that year.3
Style and Public Image
Joe Keery’s public image blends the approachable and the artistically serious. On screen he has often played likable, flawed characters with depth.
In music he channels vintage and modern influences to create moody, melodic work.
He tends to keep a lower-key public life, avoiding sensational press cycles and focusing on craft. Interviewers and reviewers commonly describe him as earnest and quietly driven.
Recent Developments and Projects
In the mid-2020s Keery remained active on both fronts. He continued to appear in Stranger Things as its final seasons rolled out.
He released The Crux as Djo and performed on late night television and festival stages. He also appeared in other film projects that were in post-production or distribution.
News outlets covered his public appearances and music performances through 2025. Examples include TV musical appearances and festival shows where critics noted his growth as a musician.4
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Stats Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joseph David Keery. |
| Birthdate | April 24, 1992. |
| Birthplace | Newburyport, Massachusetts. |
| Education | The Theatre School at DePaul University, BFA in Acting, class of 2014. |
| Years active | 2015–present. |
| Breakthrough role | Steve Harrington in Stranger Things (2016–present). |
| Notable films | Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party, Spree, Free Guy, Cold Storage (project). |
| Music alias | Djo. |
| Studio albums (solo as Djo) | Twenty Twenty (2019), Decide (2022), The Crux (2025). |
| Band | Post Animal (founding member; left 2018; rejoined 2025). |
| Known tours | Djo Back On You World Tour (2025) with Post Animal opening dates. |
| Personal | Previously dated Maika Monroe (2017–2023). |
Career Timeline
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2014 — Graduated DePaul University, moved into professional acting.
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2015 — Small TV roles and indie film credits begin to appear.
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2016 — Cast as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things. The series premieres and Keery gains widespread recognition.
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2018 — Stops touring with Post Animal to focus on acting.
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2019 — Releases first solo album Twenty Twenty as Djo.
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2020 — Leads in Spree.
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2021 — Appears in the studio film Free Guy.
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2022 — Releases Decide as Djo. Cast in major film projects and television roles such as Fargo.
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2024–2025 — Viral interest in his music, new album The Crux, touring, and rejoining Post Animal for new recordings.
Awards and Recognition
While Joe Keery has not become an award magnet for awards like the Oscars or Emmys, he has received positive critical attention for both his acting and his music.
The cultural impact of Stranger Things has also given him a strong fan base and industry credibility. Reviews of his albums show that critics take his music seriously rather than treating it like a celebrity hobby.
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FAQ’s
Q: Where was Joe Keery born and when?
A: He was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts on April 24, 1992.
Q: What role made Joe Keery famous?
A: Steve Harrington in Netflix’s Stranger Things is his breakthrough and best-known role.
Q: Is Joe Keery also a musician?
A: Yes. He records under the name Djo and has released multiple albums and singles. He was also a member of the Chicago band Post Animal.
Q: What albums has he released as Djo?
A: Twenty Twenty (2019), Decide (2022), and The Crux (2025).
Q: Did Joe Keery study acting formally?
A: Yes. He studied at The Theatre School at DePaul University and graduated with a BFA in acting in 2014.
Q: Who has he dated publicly?
A: Public reports show he dated actress Maika Monroe from 2017 to 2023.
Q: Is he still part of Post Animal?
A: He stopped touring and left the band around 2018 because of acting commitments. He later rejoined for recording and touring in 2025.
Q: What projects should I stream if I want to see or hear him now?
A: Watch Stranger Things for his signature role. For film work check Spree and Free Guy. For music listen to Twenty Twenty, Decide, and The Crux.
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