Early Life and Education

Joseph David Keery was born on April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, to parents Thomas R. Keery II and Laura Keery. He was raised alongside four sisters and began his education at River Valley Charter School, a local Montessori-based institution. He later attended Newburyport High School, where his interest in acting was sparked, in part by encouragement from one of his sisters.

Keery’s passion for performance led him to participate in Theater in the Open, a performing arts program based in Maudslay State Park. Seeking formal training, he pursued theater studies at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, from which he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting in 2014.

Acting Career and Rise to Fame

Following his graduation, Joe Keery began auditioning for various roles. Like many aspiring actors, his early career involved persistence and resilience—he reportedly went to over a hundred auditions before landing a breakout role. During this period, he appeared in commercials for brands such as Domino’s, KFC, and Amiibo. He also guest-starred in television series including Empire and Chicago Fire in 2015.

That same year, he made his feature film debut in Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party, an independent coming-of-age drama. Keery’s big break came in 2016 with the Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things, in which he was cast as Steve Harrington. Originally a recurring character, his role expanded due to his strong performance and popularity with audiences. The third season of Stranger Things premiered in July 2019, further cementing Keery’s reputation as a rising star in Hollywood.

Music Career and Post Animal

In addition to acting, Joe Keery is a talented musician. He is known for being a former guitarist for the Chicago-based psychedelic rock band Post Animal. Formed in 2014, the band includes members Dalton Allison (bass), Javi Reyes (guitar), Wesley Toledo (drums), Jake Hirshland (guitar/keyboard), and Matt Williams (guitar). Although Keery no longer performs live with the group in order to focus on his acting career, he contributed to their earlier recordings and helped shape their sound.

Keery later began releasing music under the solo moniker Djo. His solo work showcases his eclectic musical taste and has been well received by both fans and critics for its vintage-inspired production and introspective lyrics.

Personal Life and Relationships

Despite fan speculation about a potential off-screen romance between Keery and his onscreen partner from Stranger Things, his real-life relationship is with actress Maika Monroe. Monroe is also known for her career as a professional kiteboarder and her roles in films such as It Follows. The couple reportedly began dating in 2017 and made their red carpet debut at the premiere of Stranger Things Season 2 the same year. The pair co-star in the upcoming independent film Shotgun.

Net Worth and Continuing Work

Thanks to his success on Stranger Things and his growing musical career, Joe Keery has seen a steady increase in his net worth over the years. As of recent estimates, his net worth is believed to be several million dollars. Keery continues to take on film projects while also expanding his portfolio in music, solidifying his reputation as a multi-talented performer.