Leedswire News Pulse English (UK)
leedswire.uk Leedswire News Pulse
Blog Business Entertainment Local Politics Sport Tech Travel World

Joe Keery – Age, Net Worth, Wife, and Music Career as Djo

Henry Harry Carter Davies • 2026-06-30 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Joe Keery is a name that resonates across two distinct creative worlds. To millions of viewers, he is Steve Harrington, the unlikely hero of Netflix’s Stranger Things. To a growing legion of music fans, he is Djo, a solo artist whose synth-driven sound has produced one of the most unexpected viral hits of the decade. Balancing a major acting career with a serious musical identity, Keery has carved out a rare space for himself in modern pop culture.

Born in a small Massachusetts town and trained at one of the country’s top theatre schools, Keery’s journey to stardom was not instantaneous. He spent years cutting his teeth in Chicago’s music scene before landing the role that would change everything. As of mid-2026, the 34-year-old continues to release music, take on compelling roles, and keep audiences guessing about what comes next.

How old is Joe Keery?

Joe Keery was born on April 24, 1992, making him 34 years old as of June 2026. While his official birth date is consistently listed as April 24, some online sources have noted a slight discrepancy, though no alternative date has been widely corroborated. He grew up in Newburyport, Massachusetts, as the second oldest of five children, raised alongside four sisters.

Keery studied at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. During his early career, he lived in Chicago, a city that also became the birthplace of his musical ambitions. Standing at 5’10” (approximately 1.79 m), he is a Taurus by zodiac sign, according to celebrity birthday databases.

Quick Bio Snapshot

Full name: Joseph David Keery
Born: April 24, 1992 (age 34)
Birthplace: Newburyport, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height: 5’10” (1.79 m)
Zodiac: Taurus

Key insights into Keery’s life and career reveal a pattern of deliberate, cross-platform success.

  • He is a dual-threat talent, equally successful as an actor (Stranger Things) and as a musician under the alias Djo.
  • His character Steve Harrington evolved from a minor antagonist into a central fan favorite, dramatically boosting his career trajectory.
  • The track “End of Beginning” became a viral phenomenon on TikTok in 2024, significantly expanding his music audience.
  • His relationship with actress Maika Monroe has been a frequent subject of public curiosity, though the couple broke up in 2022.
  • Net worth estimates for Keery vary widely, as credible financial figures are not publicly confirmed by official sources.
Fact Detail
Full Name Joseph David Keery
Born April 24, 1992 (age 34)
Birthplace Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA
Occupation Actor, Singer, Musician
Known For Steve Harrington in Stranger Things
Stage Name Djo (pronounced “Joe”)
Height 5’10” (≈1.79 m)
Former Partner Maika Monroe (2017–2022)
Net Worth (est.) ~$4 million (unconfirmed)
Education DePaul University, BFA (2014)
Popular Song “End of Beginning” (2022)

Who is Joe Keery’s wife?

Joe Keery is not married and has no publicly announced wife. He was in a long-term relationship with actress Maika Monroe, known for her roles in It Follows and The Watcher. The couple began dating in 2017 and attended the Stranger Things season 2 and season 3 premieres together. According to multiple celebrity news sources, they broke up in 2022.

Since the split, Keery has not made any public statements about a new partner. Some profile pages still list his relationship status as “in a relationship,” but no confirmed details about a current partner have emerged. The lack of an official announcement from Keery himself means that information about his private life remains limited and partially uncertain.

What is Joe Keery’s net worth?

Estimates of Joe Keery’s net worth place it at approximately $4 million, according to celebrity finance site National Today and other similar platforms. These figures are derived from aggregate data and are not backed by official financial disclosures from Keery or his representatives. As such, they should be treated as informed estimates rather than confirmed facts.

His primary income sources include his starring role as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, one of the most streamed shows on Netflix. Additional revenue comes from his music career under the name Djo, which includes album sales, streaming royalties, and touring. Keery also earns from film appearances, including roles in Spree (2020) and other acting projects. The exact split between his acting and music income remains unknown.

What is Joe Keery known for?

Joe Keery is best known for playing Steve Harrington in Netflix’s Stranger Things, a role he originated in 2016 and continued through the series’ conclusion in 2025. Steve begins as a stereotypical high school bully but undergoes a substantial redemption arc, eventually becoming one of the show’s most beloved characters. Keery’s portrayal is widely credited with elevating him to international prominence.

The role earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination and opened doors to other acting opportunities. He appeared in films such as Free Guy (2021) and took on a dramatic supporting role as Gator Tillman in Fargo season 5. These projects demonstrate a deliberate move toward varied, character-driven work beyond the sci-fi series that made him a household name.

The Steve Harrington Effect

Keery originally auditioned for a different role in Stranger Things but was cast as Steve Harrington instead. The character’s arc, which evolved from antagonist to comic hero and eventual protector, is often cited as one of the best-written transformations in modern television. This trajectory significantly shaped Keery’s career, giving him a platform that most actors only dream of.

Does Joe Keery have a music career?

The Djo Stage Name

Yes, Joe Keery has a robust music career under the stage name Djo, which is pronounced “Joe.” Before adopting this moniker, he performed under the name Cool Cool Cool in his early twenties. The transition to Djo marked a shift toward a more polished, genre-blending sound that blends psychedelic pop, synth-wave, and indie rock.

Post Animal: The Band Years

Before going solo, Keery was a founding member, guitarist, and vocalist of the Chicago-based psychedelic/garage rock band Post Animal. The band released their debut album When I Think Of You In A Castle in 2015 and a follow-up with the same title in 2018, on which Keery contributed guitar and vocals. He left the band between 2018 and 2019 as his acting commitments grew, and he is no longer a touring member.

Solo Albums as Djo

Keery has released three studio albums under the Djo name. His debut, Twenty Twenty, arrived on September 13, 2019. The follow-up, Decide, was released on September 16, 2022, to positive reviews. His third album, The Crux, came out on April 4, 2025, followed by a deluxe edition later that same year. Each album has shown a progression in his songwriting and production skills.

Key Songs and the “End of Beginning” Phenomenon

Several singles have marked Keery’s musical journey, including “Roddy” (2019), “Chateau (Feel Alright)” (2019), “Keep Your Head Up” (2020), and “Change” (2022). But the standout track is “End of Beginning,” the sixth track on Decide. The song became a sleeper hit in 2024 when it went viral on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. Its nostalgic, synth-heavy sound resonated with a wide audience, leading to live performances on shows like Love Island USA and Hard Knocks: Training Camp. In 2025, Keery released singles “Basic Being Basic,” “Delete Ya,” and “Potion” ahead of The Crux.

A Note on Virality

The sudden resurgence of “End of Beginning” in 2024 is a textbook example of algorithmic culture reviving older music. The track was originally released in 2022 and had a modest audience. More than a year later, a new wave of users discovered it, turning it into a charting single. This phenomenon highlights how platforms like TikTok can radically alter a song’s lifespan, independent of traditional radio or label promotion.

What is Joe Keery’s Instagram?

Joe Keery does not currently maintain an active personal Instagram account. He deleted his personal Instagram page around 2019 to 2020, and no official Keery account is currently active. A fan page dedicated to him exists on the platform, but it is not operated or endorsed by Keery himself. He is more active on music streaming platforms like Spotify, where his Djo releases are prominently featured.

This relative absence from social media is somewhat unusual for a celebrity of his stature. It reflects a conscious choice to let his work—both acting and music—speak for itself, rather than maintaining a constant personal online presence. For fans seeking updates, following Djo’s official music channels is the most reliable option.

Career Timeline: Acting and Music

  1. 1992: Born on April 24 in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
  2. 2014: Graduates from The Theatre School at DePaul University with a BFA.
  3. 2015–2016: Appears in minor TV roles; co-founds and performs with the band Post Animal.
  4. 2016: Cast as Steve Harrington in Netflix’s Stranger Things (season 1).
  5. 2019: Releases debut solo album Twenty Twenty as Djo; leaves Post Animal.
  6. 2022: Releases sophomore album Decide; “End of Beginning” becomes a sleeper hit.
  7. 2024: “End of Beginning” goes viral on social media, leading to live TV performances.
  8. 2025: Releases third album The Crux and its deluxe edition; Stranger Things concludes.

What is confirmed and what remains unclear?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
Date of birth: April 24, 1992 Net worth: Estimates range from $2 million to $8 million; no official confirmation exists.
Role as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things (2016–2025) Income split between acting and music: Unknown.
Music alias Djo and discography (Twenty Twenty, Decide, The Crux) Future projects: Unannounced roles or albums remain speculative.
Long-term relationship with Maika Monroe (2017–2022) Current relationship status: Not publicly detailed beyond breakup in 2022.

All personal financial data cited in this article is derived from aggregate celebrity net worth sites and should be treated as estimates. Marital and professional details are sourced from credible interviews, official databases, and public records, but where full confirmation is lacking, that uncertainty has been noted.

Background and broader context

Joe Keery’s dual career as actor and musician mirrors a modern trend in which performers leverage multiple creative outlets to build a personal brand. Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) is a prominent comparison, though Keery’s approach is notably more understated. He keeps the two identities largely separate, telling NME in 2022: “I like to keep things separate. Joe Keery is the actor, Djo is the musician.”

The success of “End of Beginning” also illustrates the power of algorithmic platforms like TikTok to revive older tracks and introduce them to new audiences. Keery’s consistent work in indie films and supporting roles suggests a focus on artistic depth over blockbuster fame alone. His performance in Fargo season 5 as Gator Tillman, for example, signals a willingness to take on darker, more complex characters. This strategic mix of mainstream visibility and artistic credibility has defined his career so far.

Sources and key quotes

“I like to keep things separate. Joe Keery is the actor, Djo is the musician.”

— NME interview, 2022

“Steve Harrington became this character that people really love, and that’s a gift.”

— Variety interview, 2021

“I’ve been playing music since high school. It was always a part of me.”

— Rolling Stone profile, 2023

Summary: What you need to know about Joe Keery

Joe Keery, born April 24, 1992, is a 34-year-old American actor and musician best known for playing Steve Harrington in Stranger Things and for his solo music career as Djo. He was in a long-term relationship with actress Maika Monroe from 2017 to 2022 and is not currently married. His estimated net worth is around $4 million, though this figure is not officially confirmed. With three albums as Djo, including the viral hit “End of Beginning,” Keery continues to build a career that spans both screen and stage. For similar biographical deep dives, check out the profile on Will Poulter – Height, Net Worth, Movies & Biography 2025.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Joe Keery?

Joe Keery was born on April 24, 1992. He is 34 years old as of June 2026.

Is Joe Keery married?

No. He was in a long-term relationship with actress Maika Monroe from 2017 until their breakup in 2022.

What is Joe Keery’s net worth?

Estimates vary, but most sources place it around $4 million. This figure is not officially confirmed.

Does Joe Keery have a band?

He was a founding member of the band Post Animal (2015–2019). He now performs as a solo artist under the name Djo.

What is Joe Keery’s Instagram handle?

He deleted his personal Instagram around 2019–2020. No official account is currently active.

What songs does Joe Keery have?

As Djo, his albums include Twenty Twenty (2019), Decide (2022), and The Crux (2025). Popular songs include “End of Beginning,” “Change,” and “Roddy.”

What is “End of Beginning” about?

“End of Beginning” is a synth-pop track from Djo’s album Decide. It gained renewed popularity in 2024 after going viral on TikTok.

How did Joe Keery get his start?

He began acting in college productions at DePaul University and landed small TV roles before being cast as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things in 2016.

Does Joe Keery have any upcoming projects?

Stranger Things concluded in 2025. He may release more music as Djo, but no official announcements have been made as of mid-2026.

Additional sources

canadascope.org

Henry Harry Carter Davies

About the author

Henry Harry Carter Davies

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.