Joe Keery

Joseph David Keery is an American actor and musician, born April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He is best known for playing Steve Harrington in the Netflix series Stranger Things (2016–2025), a role that turned him into a global fan favorite. Beyond the show, Keery has appeared in films like Spree (2020) and Free Guy (2021), and starred in the fifth season of Fargo (2023–2024).

As a musician, Keery performs under the stage name Djo, releasing three solo albums: Twenty Twenty (2019), Decide (2022), and The Crux (2025). His track "End of Beginning" went viral on TikTok in 2024, earning him his first Billboard Hot 100 entry. He is also a founding member of the psychedelic rock band Post Animal, which he left in 2018 and rejoined in 2025. As of 2026, Keery continues to tour and is preparing for his Broadway debut alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus. [edit]

Keery grew up in Newburyport, a coastal town north of Boston. He developed an early interest in acting and music, playing in bands during his teens. Before his breakout role, he worked a series of odd jobs, including delivering pizzas and waiting tables, while auditioning in Chicago. He studied acting at DePaul University, where he also helped found the psychedelic rock band Post Animal.

His early music career involved performing to crowds made up almost entirely of his own friends. Keery has spoken openly about tanking many auditions before landing Stranger Things, a period he describes as humbling. He initially auditioned for the role of Jonathan Byers, but the producers saw something in him for Steve Harrington instead. That shift changed everything, though the journey there was far from smooth. [edit]

Keery's breakthrough came in 2016 when Stranger Things premiered on Netflix. His portrayal of Steve Harrington, who evolved from a stereotypical jock to a beloved babysitter, became a cultural touchstone. The show ran for five seasons, concluding in 2025.

While the series was ongoing, Keery expanded his film work with roles in Spree (2020) and the blockbuster Free Guy (2021). He also starred in the fifth season of Fargo (2023–2024). His music career as Djo gained momentum with the 2022 album Decide, but it was the viral success of "End of Beginning" in 2024 that pushed him into the mainstream music conversation. In 2025, he released The Crux, rejoined Post Animal, and embarked on the Back on You World Tour. The following year, he supported Tame Impala on tour and performed at Outside Lands in San Francisco, where Charli XCX made a surprise cameo in a video segment. [edit]

Keery's public image is defined by his versatility. As Steve Harrington, he became known for his iconic hair and his character's arc from antagonist to hero, earning him a devoted fanbase. As Djo, he has carved out a distinct musical identity with a synth-pop and psychedelic sound that critics have taken seriously.

Media coverage has noted that his celebrity status sometimes overshadows his live performances, with some critics questioning whether his fame carries his festival sets. Yet fans appreciate his willingness to take risks, and his music has helped him reach audiences beyond the Stranger Things fandom. He maintains a playful, low-key presence on social media, often sharing tour updates and personal musings. [edit]

Joe Keery commands a global footprint that bridges the gap between mainstream blockbuster television and the dedicated indie music scene. His presence is felt across continents, driven by a decade of cultural relevance that began with his breakout role in a hit streaming series and expanded into a dual career as a respected musician. Despite this widespread recognition, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). While his name appears frequently in entertainment discourse and search metrics worldwide, he remains unranked in the current edition of the global lists. The audience surrounding his work does not operate under a single formal moniker; while fans of his acting roles often identify with the show's community, his musical following is integrated into the broader indie rock sphere without an official collective name like 'Harringtons' or a specific band alias. This lack of a unified label reflects a fanbase that engages with his various projects on their own terms rather than through a centralized organizational structure.[edit]

Joseph David Keery chose the stage name Djo to keep his music separate from his acting persona, a decision that allowed him to build a distinct sonic identity. He has publicly advocated for political causes, including a call to "turn Texas blue" in a 2024 post, and once expressed a desire for "a planet for my children" on X, reflecting his long-term thinking. Despite his fame, he has described himself as becoming more sentimental with age, noting that "nothing lasts forever." Keery's early music gigs were so sparsely attended that he jokes about playing for his own friends, and he sports a tattoo of a pizza slice, a nod to his pre-fame job as a delivery driver. Beyond these personal details, a beloved legend among his circle involves a verified event in October 2025 when Joe dressed up as Steve Harrington to officiate a wedding for one of his Post Animal bandmates. This moment reinforced the enduring bond between the actor and his former musicians. Another story of modern folklore centers on the 2025 reunion of Post Animal for their album *Iron*, marking a nostalgic homecoming after seven years apart. Fans still retell the narrative of how Keery left the Chicago psych-rock scene to pursue *Stranger Things* before returning to lead vocals on tracks like "Ralphie," proving that his legacy extends far beyond the screen.[edit]

Keery keeps his family life largely out of the public eye. He has not shared details about his parents or siblings in interviews. As of 2026, he is not publicly known to be married or have children. He has mentioned feeling more sentimental as he grows older, which hints at his values around family and lasting connections. [edit]

Keery has worked closely with the cast of Stranger Things, particularly David Harbour, who has spoken publicly about regretting that Hopper never got a scene with Steve in the finale. He has collaborated with the members of Post Animal, toured with Pond as support, and opened for Tame Impala. Charli XCX made a surprise cameo during his Outside Lands set, and he is set to star alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus in an upcoming Broadway revival. [edit]

Keery is notoriously private about his romantic life. There are no confirmed public relationships, engagements, or marriages in the media. He has never named a partner in interviews, and no credible sources have linked him to anyone romantically. As of 2026, his relationship status remains unknown, with no reports of a significant other. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Joe Keery's net worth is estimated at $10 million as of 2026. This financial standing stems from diverse revenue streams, including his salary from five seasons of Stranger Things, film roles in Spree, Free Guy, and Fargo, and earnings from music sales and streaming of his three albums as Djo. Additional income flows from touring and festival appearances, providing a robust economic foundation. While exact figures remain private, his long-running series and successful music career have solidified his position financially. He has not disclosed any major investments or endorsements.[edit]

Keery won a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble cast of Stranger Things for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. This is his most notable acting accolade. His music career has not yet produced major award wins. [edit]