Joe Keery

Joseph David Keery, also known professionally in music as Djo, is an American actor, singer and musician. He first gained international recognition for playing Steve Harrington in the science fiction series Stranger Things (2016–present), and has since starred in the comedy horror film Spree (2020), the comedy film Free Guy (2021), and in the fifth season of the crime comedy-drama series Fargo (2023–2024). As a musician, Keery was a founding member of the psychedelic rock band Post Animal, but he left the band in 2018 due to acting commitments. Following his departure from the band, he embarked on a solo career, and released the studio albums Twenty Twenty (2019) and Decide (2022) as Djo. The latter spawned the sleeper hit and his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, "End of Beginning", after it became viral on TikTok in 2024. Djo's third album, The Crux, was released in 2025. The album was followed by The Crux Deluxe later that year. Keery has since rejoined Post Animal for the album IRON (2025) and headlined the Back on You World Tour as Djo with Post Animal as the openers.

Infobox

Born

Joseph David KeeryNewburyport, Massachusetts, U.S.

Education

DePaul University (BFA)

Occupations

mw- .inline, .inline dl, .inline ol, .inline ul, dl dl, dl ol, dl ul, ol dl, ol ol dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd ol li Actormusician

Years active

2015–present

Also known as

DjoCool Cool Cool (formerly)

Origin

Chicago, Illinois

Genres

Neo-psychedeliaindie rockpsychedelic rocksynth-pop

Instruments

Vocalsguitarkeyboardsdrums

Labels

AWAL

Member of

Post Animal

Website

djomusic.com

Alma mater

DePaul University (BFA)

Tables

· Filmography › Film

2015

Henry Gamble's Birthday Party

Role(s)

Gabe

Notes

Debut film

2016

The Charnel House

Role(s)

Scott

2017

Molly's Game

Role(s)

Trust Fund Cole

2018

After Everything

Role(s)

Chris

Slice

Role(s)

Jackson

2019

How to Be Alone

Role(s)

Jack / The Gimp

Notes

Short film

2020

Spree

Role(s)

Kurt Kunkle

Death to 2020

Role(s)

Duke Goolies

2021

Free Guy

Role(s)

Walter "Keys" McKeys

Death to 2021

Role(s)

Duke Goolies

2023

Finalmente l'alba

Role(s)

Sean Lockwood

2024

Marmalade

Role(s)

Baron

Pavements

Role(s)

Stephen Malkmus, Himself

2026

Cold Storage

Role(s)

Travis Meacham

Notes

Post-production

Year	Title	Role(s)	Notes	Ref(s)
2015	Henry Gamble's Birthday Party	Gabe	Debut film
2016	The Charnel House	Scott
2017	Molly's Game	Trust Fund Cole
2018	After Everything	Chris
2018	Slice	Jackson
2019	How to Be Alone	Jack / The Gimp	Short film
2020	Spree	Kurt Kunkle
2020	Death to 2020	Duke Goolies
2021	Free Guy	Walter "Keys" McKeys
2021	Death to 2021	Duke Goolies
2023	Finalmente l'alba	Sean Lockwood
2024	Marmalade	Baron
2024	Pavements	Stephen Malkmus, Himself
2026	Cold Storage	Travis Meacham	Post-production

· Filmography › Television

2015

Sirens

Role(s)

Scenester

Notes

Episode: "Screw the One Percent"

Chicago Fire

Role(s)

Emmett

Notes

2 episodes

Empire

Role(s)

Tony Trichter III

Notes

Episode: "Who I Am"

2016–present

Role(s)

Stranger Things

Notes

Steve Harrington

2019–2021

Role(s)

No Activity

Notes

Officer Ed Reinhardt

2023–2024

Role(s)

Fargo

Notes

Gator Tillman

2025

The American Revolution

Role(s)

John Greenwood (voice)

Notes

4 episodes

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref(s)
2015	Sirens	Scenester	Episode: "Screw the One Percent"
	Chicago Fire	Emmett	2 episodes
	Empire	Tony Trichter III	Episode: "Who I Am"
2016–present	Stranger Things	Steve Harrington	Recurring role (season 1)Main role (season 2–5)
2019–2021	No Activity	Officer Ed Reinhardt	Recurring role (season 3–4)Voice (season 4)
2023–2024	Fargo	Gator Tillman	Main role (season 5)
2025	The American Revolution	John Greenwood (voice)	4 episodes

· Filmography › Music videos

2025

"Loser"

Role(s)

Tame Impala

Year	Title	Artist	Ref(s)
2025	"Loser"	Tame Impala

· Filmography › Video games

2019

Dead by Daylight

Role(s)

Steve Harrington

Notes

Likeness

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref(s)
2019	Dead by Daylight	Steve Harrington	Likeness

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions · Discography › Studio albums

USRock

Title

Band/name released under

USRock

Studio album details

AUS

Peak chart positions

CAN

Peak chart positions

GER

Peak chart positions

HUN

Peak chart positions

NLD

Peak chart positions

Post Animal

Title

When I Think Of You In A Castle

Band/name released under

Post Animal

Studio album details

Released: April 12, 2018 Label: Polyvinyl Record Co. Format: Digital download, streaming, LP, CD

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Djo

Title

Twenty Twenty

Band/name released under

Djo

Studio album details

Released: September 13, 2019 Label: Djo Music (via AWAL) Format: Digital download, streaming, LP

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Djo

Title

Decide

Band/name released under

Djo

Studio album details

Released: September 16, 2022 Label: Djo Music (via AWAL) Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP, cassette

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Certifications

RMNZ: Gold

Djo

Title

The Crux

Band/name released under

Djo

Studio album details

Released: April 4, 2025 Label: Djo Music (via AWAL) Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP, cassette

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

Post Animal

Title

IRON

Band/name released under

Post Animal

Studio album details

Released: July 25, 2025 Label: Polyvinyl Record Co. Format: Digital download, streaming, LP

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Djo

Title

The Crux Deluxe

Band/name released under

Djo

Studio album details

Released: September 12, 2025 Label: Djo Music (via AWAL) Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP, cassette

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Peak chart positions

—

Title	Band/name released under	Studio album details	Peak chart positions									Certifications
Title	Band/name released under	Studio album details	US	USRock	AUS	CAN	GER	HUN	NLD	NZ	UK	Certifications
When I Think Of You In A Castle	Post Animal	Released: April 12, 2018 Label: Polyvinyl Record Co. Format: Digital download, streaming, LP, CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Twenty Twenty	Djo	Released: September 13, 2019 Label: Djo Music (via AWAL) Format: Digital download, streaming, LP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Decide	Djo	Released: September 16, 2022 Label: Djo Music (via AWAL) Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP, cassette	56	11	—	35	35	32	10	—	—	RMNZ: Gold
The Crux	Djo	Released: April 4, 2025 Label: Djo Music (via AWAL) Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP, cassette	50	10	31	96	—	—	—	34	54
IRON	Post Animal	Released: July 25, 2025 Label: Polyvinyl Record Co. Format: Digital download, streaming, LP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
The Crux Deluxe	Djo	Released: September 12, 2025 Label: Djo Music (via AWAL) Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP, cassette	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

List of extended plays, with release date and label shown · Discography › Extended plays

Post Animal

Title

Post Animal Perform The Most Curious Water Activities

Band/name

Post Animal

Details

Released: October 27, 2014 Label: — Format: Digital download, streaming, LP

Post Animal

Title

The Garden Series

Band/name

Post Animal

Details

Released: July 22, 2016 Label: — Format: Digital download, streaming

Djo

Title

D-Sides

Band/name

Djo

Details

Released: November 17, 2023 Label: Djo Music, AWAL Format: Digital download, streaming

Post Animal

Title

IRON: Expansion pack

Band/name

Post Animal

Details

Released: November 25, 2025 Label: Polyvinyl Record Co. Format: Digital download, streaming, LP

Title	Band/name	Details
Post Animal Perform The Most Curious Water Activities	Post Animal	Released: October 27, 2014 Label: — Format: Digital download, streaming, LP
The Garden Series	Post Animal	Released: July 22, 2016 Label: — Format: Digital download, streaming
D-Sides	Djo	Released: November 17, 2023 Label: Djo Music, AWAL Format: Digital download, streaming
IRON: Expansion pack	Post Animal	Released: November 25, 2025 Label: Polyvinyl Record Co. Format: Digital download, streaming, LP

List of singles released under Djo, with selected chart positions · Discography › Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
Title	Year	US	AUS	CAN	IRE	NLD	NOR	NZ	SWE	UK	WW	Certifications	Album
"Roddy"	2019	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Twenty Twenty
"Chateau (Feel Alright)"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RIAA: Gold
"Mortal Projections"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Keep Your Head Up"	2020	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"Change"	2022	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Decide
"Gloom"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Figure You Out"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Half Life"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"End of Beginning"	2024	11	3	9	4	12	3	3	13	4	3	RIAA: 3× Platinum ARIA: 5× Platinum BPI: Platinum MC: Platinum RMNZ: 2× Platinum
"Basic Being Basic"	2025	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		The Crux
"Delete Ya"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Potion"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Carry The Name"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		The Crux Deluxe
"It's Over"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Awake"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

· Accolades

2017

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Role(s)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Notes

Stranger Things

2018

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Role(s)

Nominated

Teen Choice Awards

Role(s)

Choice Hissy Fit

Notes

Nominated

2020

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Role(s)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Notes

Nominated

2022

Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama

Notes

Nominated

2024

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

Role(s)

Favorite Social Music Star

Notes

Himself

Astra TV Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie

Notes

Fargo

Billboard Music Awards

Role(s)

Top Rock Song

Notes

"End of Beginning"

2025

Brit Awards

Role(s)

Best International Song

Notes

Nominated

2026

Grammy Awards

Role(s)

Best Album Cover

Notes

The Crux

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref.
2017	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series	Stranger Things	Won
2018	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series		Nominated
2018	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Hissy Fit		Nominated
2020	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series		Nominated
2022	Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards	Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama		Nominated
2024	Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards	Favorite Social Music Star	Himself	Nominated
	Astra TV Awards	Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie	Fargo	Nominated
	Billboard Music Awards	Top Rock Song	"End of Beginning"	Nominated
2025	Brit Awards	Best International Song	"End of Beginning"	Nominated
2026	Grammy Awards	Best Album Cover	The Crux	Pending

References

The announcement was made through the Instagram account "Djocorp", which is an official updates account that fans receiv
Decide did not enter the UK Albums Chart, but peaked at number 93 on the UK Album Downloads Chart.
Despite the title implying the album is a re-release, The Crux Deluxe contains a fully new track list of twelve unreleas
"Basic Being Basic" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 11 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.
"Delete Ya" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 25 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.
"Potion" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 16 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/joe-keery-djo-the-crux-deluxe-interview-1236065161/
Iron
https://www.redlightmanagement.com/post-animal-releases-new-album-iron-made-with-joe-keery/
The Daily News of Newburyport
http://newburyportnews.com/article_da8f07e4-5f7f-5812-ba71-e653c4af65d7.html
boston.com
https://www.boston.com/culture/entertainment/2019/07/03/stranger-things-season-3-joe-keery/
Yahoo Finance
https://finance.yahoo.com/video/joe-keery-didnt-think-past-033500587.html
Chicago Tribune
https://chicagotribune.com/ct-joe-keery-stranger-things-tv-ae-0821-20160821-story.html
blogs.depaul.edu
https://blogs.depaul.edu/theatre-school-news/2016/07/15/joe-keery-plays-steve-harrington-on-hit-netflix-series-stranger-things/
Chicago Splash
http://www.chicagosplash.com/watch-joe-keery
Super Smash Bros. - Gameplay & Quest for the amiibo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3c_JDDp99k
Vulture
https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/joe-keery-steve-stranger-things-2.html
Vanity Fair
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/12/millie-bobby-brown-stranger-things-season-2
The Hindu
https://www.thehindu.com/society/ready-set-gamified/article37225656.ece
FLOOD
https://floodmagazine.com/92276/joe-keery-free-guy-feature/
Deadline
https://deadline.com/2022/05/liam-neeson-joe-keery-daivd-koepp-jonny-campbell-studiocanal-virus-tale-cold-storage-1235021082/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2022/08/fargo-joe-keery-lamorne-morris-richa-moorjani-cast-season-5-fx-1235087523/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-american-revolution-who-plays-who-full-actor-list-1236429985/
www.medicineboxmag.com
https://www.medicineboxmag.com/post/the-evolution-of-djo-from-actor-to-indie-psych-star
Paste Magazine
https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/joe-keery/cover-story-djo-faces-the-music
Cool Cool Cool
https://coolcoolcool1.bandcamp.com
Medium
https://medium.com/@alecghillyer/review-post-animals-post-animal-perform-the-most-curious-water-activities-beea85081e80
VICE
https://www.vice.com/en/article/psych-rock-troupe-post-animal-get-heavier-on-gelatin-mode/
NME
https://www.nme.com/features/film-interviews/joe-keery-interview-spree-stranger-things-2733526
Bustle
https://www.bustle.com/p/what-stranger-things-star-joe-keery-is-really-thinking-when-you-ask-for-a-selfie-7845978
Vice
https://www.vice.com/en/article/stranger-things-actor-joe-keerys-new-song-is-even-better-than-his-hair/
Consequence of Sound
https://consequence.net/2019/08/stranger-things-joe-keery-shares-dreamy-new-song-chateau-feel-alright-stream/
NME
https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/djo-twenty-twenty-review-joe-keery
NME
https://www.nme.com/reviews/djo-twenty-twenty-review-joe-keery-2547210
Consequence of Sound
https://consequence.net/2020/09/djo-joe-keery-keep-your-head-up-stream/
Consequence
https://consequence.net/2022/06/djo-decide-joe-keery-change-stream/
www.undertheradarmag.com
https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/djo_joe_keery_from_stranger_things_announces_new_album_shares_new_song_chan
Metacritic
https://www.metacritic.com/music/decide/djo
Official Charts Company
https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/djo-end-of-beginning-joe-keery-trend/
Exclaim!
https://exclaim.ca/music/article/djo-announces-new-album-the-crux-plots-world-tour
grammy.com
https://grammy.com/news/2026-grammys-nominations-best-album-cover
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/joe-keery-djo-the-crux-deluxe-interview-1236065161/
Clash Magazine
https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/djo-the-crux-deluxe/
UPROXX
https://uproxx.com/indie/djo-crux-deluxe/
www.instagram.com
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQpAEoxEZS1/
J-14
https://www.j-14.com/posts/are-joe-keery-maika-monroe-still-together-relationship-update/
collider.com
https://collider.com/free-guy-keys-millie-relationship/
Variety
https://www.variety.com/2022/film/directors/saverio-costanzo-finalmente-lalba-lily-james-cinecitta-1235352774/
Vanity Fair
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/pavements-exclusive-clip-venice
Deadline
https://deadline.com/2022/05/liam-neeson-joe-keery-daivd-koepp-jonny-campbell-studiocanal-virus-tale-cold-storage-1235021082/
Paste
https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/tame-impala/tame-impala-shares-new-single-loser
Mein-MMO
https://mein-mmo.de/en/dead-by-daylight-gets-the-demogorgon-from-stranger-things,381822/
Collider
https://collider.com/stranger-things-dead-by-daylight-re-release/
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/artist/Djo/chart-history/TLP
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/artist/Djo/chart-history/RKC
"ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart"
https://www.aria.com.au/charts/albums-chart/2025-04-14
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/artist/Djo/chart-history/CNA
"Offiziellecharts.de – Djo – Decide"
https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-506458
"Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2024. 11. hét"
https://slagerlistak.hu/album-top-40-slagerlista/2024/11
"Discografie Djo - dutchcharts.nl"
https://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Djo
"NZ Top 40 Albums Chart"
https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2025-04-11
"DJO songs and albums | full Official Chart history"
https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/63366/djo/
"Album Certification Search – RadioScope"
https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/album-cert-search/
"D-SIDES by Djo on Apple Music"
https://music.apple.com/us/album/d-sides-single/1715734873
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/artist/Djo/chart-history/HSI
"ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart"
https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2024-03-18
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/artist/Djo/chart-history/CAN
"Official Irish Singles Chart: 1 March 2024 – 7 March 2024"
https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/irish-singles-chart/20240301/ie7501/
dutchcharts.nl
https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Djo&titel=End+Of+Beginning&cat=s
"Singel 2024 uke 11"
https://topplista.no/charts/singles/2024-w11/
"NZ Top 40 Singles Chart"
https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2024-03-15
"Veckolista Singlar, vecka 14"
https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2024&dspp=14
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/artist/Djo/chart-history/GLO
"American certifications – Djo"
https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Djo&ti=&format=&type=#search_section
"ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles"
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/orr9fphn3kyhykimwm11l/ANyJH-XrsjkDWsQErOGV2ek/Nov%20Single%20Accreds%202025.pdf?rlkey=b5et6u9n5p7f3gkxgmqhivbyf
"British certifications – Djo"
https://www.bpi.co.uk/brit-certified/
"Canadian certifications – Djo"
https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?_gp_search=%20Djo
"New Zealand single certifications – Djo"
https://www.radioscope.co.nz/2024/00/00/single-cert-search/
"NZ Hot 40 Singles"
https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2025-01-31
"NZ Hot 40 Singles"
https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2025-03-07
"NZ Hot 40 Singles"
https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2025-04-11
ABC News
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/screen-actors-guild-awards-2017-complete-winners-list/story?id=45131338
Vanity Fair
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/12/sag-award-nominations-2018-list
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2018/06/teen-choice-awards-black-panther-solo-riverdale-nominations-list-1202415855/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2019/12/sag-awards-nominations-list-film-tv-nominees-screen-actors-guild-1202806390/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2022-hollywood-critics-association-broadcast-cable-tv-nominations-1235176458/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2024/06/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-nominations-2024-full-list-taylor-swift-1235957982/
"The 2024 Astra TV Awards Nominations Have Arrived"
https://theastras.com/the-2024-astra-tv-awards-nominations-have-arrived/
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-billboard-music-awards-finalists-full-list-1235837820/
BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj482r7pqlgo
"68th Annual Grammy® Awards – Final Nominations List"
https://naras.a.bigcontent.io/v1/static/68th_Awards_PressList_12102025