Keegan-Michael Key is an American actor, comedian, and writer, best known for co-creating and starring in the acclaimed sketch comedy show Key & Peele.
Keegan-Michael Key was born on March 22, 1971, in Southfield, Michigan, and raised in Detroit. He was born to Carrie Herr, a white woman, and Leroy McDuffie, a Black man. He was adopted shortly after birth by Patricia Walsh and Michael Key, an interracial couple who worked as social workers in Detroit.
He attended the University of Detroit Mercy, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater in 1993. Key then pursued graduate studies at Pennsylvania State University, where he received a Master of Fine Arts in Theater in 1996.
Key launched his professional career in 1999, but his breakthrough came in 2004 when he joined the cast of the sketch comedy series Mad TV. On the show, he showcased his strong improvisational skills and ability to portray a wide range of characters. During his time there, he met fellow comedian Jordan Peele.
Building on their chemistry from Mad TV, Key and Peele went on to create Key & Peele, which premiered on Comedy Central in 2012. The show, which ran until 2015, earned widespread praise for its sharp satire, social commentary, and inventive sketches, solidifying both comedians as prominent voices in American comedy.
Following the success of Key & Peele, Key took on numerous roles across television and film. Notable among these is his performance in the Netflix original series Friends from College, where he played one of the lead characters. His film credits include Keanu, Let's Be Cops, Pitch Perfect 2, Tomorrowland, and Don't Think Twice. He also appeared in popular TV series such as Fargo and Parks and Recreation.
In 2017, he made his Broadway debut in Meteor Shower, a Steve Martin-penned comedy that received positive reviews during its run. Key's versatility as a performer allowed him to transition seamlessly between comedic and dramatic roles across different media.
In July 2019, he voiced Kamari, one of the hyenas, in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Lion King. The voice cast of the film included several notable actors, and Key’s performance added to the film’s animated energy.
Keegan-Michael Key is married to Elisa Pugliese, a producer, director, and actress. The couple wed on June 8, 2018, during an intimate ceremony in New York City.
Prior to his marriage to Pugliese, Key was married to actress and dialect coach Cynthia Blaise. Their marriage lasted from 1998 until their divorce was finalized in 2017. The couple did not have children together.
Keegan-Michael Key has built a successful career in entertainment, with a net worth estimated to be in the multi-million dollar range, largely due to his work in television, film, stage, and voice acting. His collaborations, particularly with Jordan Peele, have left a lasting impact on modern sketch comedy.
| Birth Date: | 22 Mar, 1971 |
| Age: | 49 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Southfield |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor |
| twitterID: | KeeganMKey |
| Net Worth 2021: | 12 million |
