Joe Keery: Age, Net Worth, Stranger Things, Djo Music, Girlfriend & Career (2026)

Last updated: October 10, 2026 – includes the latest news on his Broadway debut, the film Cold Storage, his 2026 Djo tours and life after Stranger Things.

If you searched for “Joe Keery news,” this is the quick summary of what has happened in his life and career since Stranger Things ended. 2026 has been a very busy year, with a new film, concerts across the Americas and a first Broadway role.

Dates come from public news coverage. Check Joe’s Instagram and official ticket sites for the latest updates.

Who is Joe Keery?

Joe Keery is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist who became a household name around the world as Steve Harrington in Netflix’s Stranger Things. What started as a small supporting role turned into one of the most loved characters on television, and it opened the door to a busy film career with movies like Spree and Free Guy. Outside acting, Joe is also the creative force behind the indie-pop project Djo, whose song “End of Beginning” became a global streaming hit. With his laid-back charm, sharp comic timing and genuine musical talent, Joe Keery has built a fan base that spans both screens and stages, and he continues to be one of the most interesting multi-talented stars in Hollywood today.

In 2026, Joe is entering a new chapter. After ten years as Steve Harrington, he starred in the film Cold Storage, toured with Djo across North America, Mexico and South America, and is now making his Broadway debut in Other Desert Cities in New York City.

Joseph David Keery was born on April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, a small coastal city in Massachusetts. Growing up in a quiet New England town, Joe developed an early love for music and storytelling. He attended Newburyport High School, where he got involved in school activities and began exploring performance, and he spent a lot of his free time playing guitar and listening to rock, psychedelic and indie records that would later shape his sound as a songwriter.

After high school, Joe moved to Chicago to study at The Theatre School at DePaul University, one of the best-known acting programs in the United States. Chicago turned out to be a turning point in his life. Besides his acting classes, he got involved in the city’s famous improv and comedy scene, which sharpened the quick wit and natural timing that fans now love in his performances. It was also in Chicago that he joined the psychedelic rock band Post Animal as a guitarist, giving him real experience on stage and in the studio long before Hollywood came calling.

1. Early Acting Career and Big Break

Joe Keery began his professional journey in Chicago, where he took small acting jobs, performed improv and played in bands at the same time. Like many young artists, he balanced creative passion with hard work, and those early years gave him a strong foundation in acting, comedy and live music.

His life changed in 2016 when he was cast as Steve Harrington in the Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things. Steve was originally written as the classic high-school jerk, and few people expected the character to last long. But Joe brought humor, warmth and vulnerability to the role, and audiences quickly fell for him. By the second and third seasons, Steve had grown into the heart of the show, famous for his “babysitter” role with the younger kids and his hilarious partnership with Robin, played by Maya Hawke.

The success of Stranger Things made Joe Keery a global star almost overnight. It gave him the chance to take on leading roles in films, and it also gave his music a much bigger audience, something he had always dreamed about but never expected to happen this way.

2. Joe Keery Career Journey

• Joe Keery trained at DePaul University’s theatre school and spent his early twenties in Chicago, performing in improv shows, playing guitar in local bands and auditioning for acting roles.
• He joined the psychedelic rock band Post Animal as a guitarist, which gave him valuable touring and studio experience and helped him build a loyal underground following.
• In 2016, he joined the cast of Stranger Things as Steve Harrington, a role that turned into his career-defining breakthrough.
• He expanded into films with the dark comedy thriller Spree in 2020, showing audiences he could carry a movie in a very different type of role.
• In 2021, he appeared in the blockbuster Free Guy alongside Ryan Reynolds, which brought him to an even wider global audience.
• He kept releasing music as Djo, with the albums Twenty Twenty, Decide and The Crux, turning his side project into a serious, internationally popular music career.
• Today, Joe Keery is widely known as one of the rare stars who succeeds as both an actor and a recording artist, which is why searches for his movies, music, relationship and net worth continue to grow.

3. Top 5 Roles and Projects of Joe Keery

• Stranger Things (Steve Harrington) – The role that made Joe famous. Steve’s journey from popular teenage bully to caring protector and fan-favorite hero is one of the most praised character arcs in modern television, and it earned Joe a huge worldwide fan base.
• Free Guy (Keys) – In this action comedy directed by Shawn Levy, Joe played a talented game developer named Keys. The film was a major box office success and proved that he can hold his own beside Hollywood’s biggest names.
• Spree (Kurt Kunkle) – A bold, dark satire about social media fame, where Joe plays a rideshare driver desperate for online attention. Critics noted it as one of his most daring and different performances.
• Djo – “End of Beginning” – Joe’s music became a worldwide phenomenon when this song went viral on social media and streaming platforms, bringing millions of new listeners to his work as a singer-songwriter.
• Djo – The Crux (2025) – His latest studio album showed his growth as a songwriter and producer, mixing 70s-inspired synth-pop and psychedelic textures with personal, reflective lyrics.

4. Stranger Things Career Highlights

• Joe Keery became widely recognized after Steve Harrington evolved from a minor antagonist into one of the show’s most beloved heroes. His performance turned a simple supporting role into a pop-culture icon.
• The on-screen chemistry between Steve and Robin, played by Maya Hawke, became a favorite among viewers, especially the Scoops Ahoy scenes in season three, which fans still quote and share online.
• Joe was part of the ensemble cast that won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, a major honor for the entire Stranger Things team.
• Throughout multiple seasons, the show’s global success made Joe a household name across the United States, Europe, Asia and beyond, and the series remains one of Netflix’s biggest hits ever.
• With the final season, the series closed a major chapter of his life and career, while the fame from the show continues to open new doors in film, television and music.

5. Music Career as Djo and Global Influence

Many fans first meet Joe Keery as an actor, but music has always been at the center of his creative life. Under the stage name Djo, he writes, performs and produces his own songs, blending psychedelic rock, synth-pop and indie sounds. The name Djo comes from a nickname he picked up in his younger years, and he chose it so his music could stand apart from his acting career.

Before Djo, Joe played guitar in Post Animal, a Chicago psych-rock band. He later focused on his own project and released the album Twenty Twenty in 2019, followed by Decide in 2022. The standout track from Decide, “End of Beginning”, exploded in popularity after it spread across social media and was widely used in videos about nostalgia, travel and growing up. It went on to collect over a billion streams, one of the biggest streaming success stories for an artist who also works as an actor.

In 2025, Joe released his third Djo album, The Crux, and toured the music around the world, performing to sold-out crowds who came to hear his songs rather than see his TV character. This is a big reason why critics and fans see him as a real musician, not just an actor trying music. Today, Joe Keery’s influence reaches across music, film and pop culture, and his career shows how creativity, patience and talent can succeed in more than one industry.

Joe Keery’s wealth has grown steadily since his breakthrough in Stranger Things. His income comes from television, films, streaming royalties from Djo, live concerts and brand partnerships. While exact figures are private, most entertainment sources estimate his net worth in 2026 at around ten million dollars, with long-term growth expected as his music and film careers continue to expand.

Joe Keery – Actor, Singer & Songwriter

Net Worth

$10 Million+ [According to recent estimates, Joe Keery’s net worth in 2026 is around $10 million+]

Income Sources

Television Acting – Salary and residuals from Stranger Things on Netflix. Film Roles – Earnings from movies such as Free Guy and Spree. Music Streaming Royalties – Income from Djo songs, especially “End of Beginning.” Album Sales – Digital downloads, vinyl and physical releases of Djo albums. Live Concerts & Tours – Ticket sales and performance fees from Djo tours. Merchandise – Official Djo merchandise sold online and at shows. Brand Endorsements – Paid partnerships and fashion campaigns. Songwriting & Publishing – Royalties from original compositions. Public Appearances – Festivals, premieres and special events. Music Licensing – Use of his songs in shows, films and advertisements.

Joe Keery grew up in a close-knit family in Newburyport, Massachusetts, where he was encouraged to follow his creative interests. Even though he is very open about his work, Joe keeps his family life private and rarely shares details about his parents or relatives with the media. What is clear from interviews is that his small-town upbringing in New England gave him a grounded personality, a love for music and a modest attitude that fans often mention when they meet him.

Joe Keery family background and hometown

Family Information

Father	Not Publicly Available
Mother	Not Publicly Available
Siblings	Not Publicly Available
Hometown	Newburyport, Massachusetts

Joe Keery with Maika Monroe (they dated from 2017 to around 2022)

Marital Status & Relationship

Joe Keery is not married, and he has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend as of October 2026. His best-known relationship was with American actress Maika Monroe, known for the horror film It Follows. The two reportedly met in 2017 while working on the film After Everything and dated for about five years before splitting around 2022. Monroe has since been linked to another partner, and Joe has spoken about the breakup in past interviews.

Since then, Joe has kept his dating life very private. He has been mentioned in tabloid stories, but he has not confirmed any new relationship, and no children have been publicly reported. Fans admire how he protects his privacy while still staying warm and approachable in interviews.

Relationship Information

Marital Status	Unmarried
Current Girlfriend	None publicly confirmed (as of October 2026)
Most Famous Past Relationship	Maika Monroe (about 2017–2022)
Children	None publicly reported

Is Joe Keery Single? Dating History at a Glance

Fans often ask whether Joe is dating anyone after his long relationship ended. The honest answer is that he keeps this part of his life private, and no new partner has been confirmed by Joe himself. Here is a simple summary based on what has been reported publicly.

Relationship details can change, and tabloid stories are not always accurate. Only rely on confirmed statements from Joe or his team.

The biggest Joe Keery story for American fans right now is his Broadway debut. Joe stars as Trip in the first Broadway revival of Jon Robin Baitz’s acclaimed play Other Desert Cities, a family drama set on Christmas Eve in a politically connected family’s home in Palm Springs. The story becomes tense when a daughter returns with a memoir that threatens to reveal a secret the family has tried to hide. The production brings together a very strong cast, which is why it is one of the most talked-about shows of the fall 2026 season.

Why the Broadway Debut Matters

Moving from Netflix to a New York stage is a big step for Joe. His training at the theatre school of DePaul University and his time in Chicago’s improv scene prepared him for live performance, and the role is a chance to show audiences a very different side of his acting. It also fits what he said after Stranger Things ended, that he wanted to try many new things and felt a renewed sense of creativity. For fans in the United States, the limited run is a rare chance to see him live without a concert ticket.

Right after Stranger Things, Joe returned to the big screen with Cold Storage, a sci-fi comedy-horror film that reached theaters in February 2026. Directed by Jonny Campbell, the movie stars Joe alongside Liam Neeson, Georgina Campbell and Lesley Manville. Joe plays Travis, nicknamed “Teacake,” in a story about a dangerous discovery inside a storage facility. Because it mixes humor, science fiction and horror, many fans compared its tone to the Stranger Things style they already love.

Another top search from US fans is “Djo tour 2026.” After releasing The Crux in 2025 and spending much of that year on the road, Joe kept touring in 2026. He took Djo to Mexico and South America in March, including the Tecate Pa’l Norte festival on March 29. In the summer, he joined Tame Impala’s North American tour as a supporting act, together with Dominic Fike, and he also headlined his own date in Richmond, Virginia on July 31.

Joe also appeared in the music video for Tame Impala’s song “Loser” in 2025, which brought even more attention to his music among rock and indie fans. Because he is now busy with his Broadway run until January 2027, new Djo concert dates may be limited. For confirmed dates, follow his official Instagram and buy tickets only from official sellers.

Joe Keery remains one of the busiest creative talents in entertainment. After the conclusion of Stranger Things, he starred in the film Cold Storage, toured the world as Djo and is now making his Broadway debut in Other Desert Cities. Fans can follow his official pages for the latest announcements about upcoming projects, tours and releases.

Stranger Things Final Season

Joe wrapped up his journey as Steve Harrington in the final chapter of the hit Netflix series, closing one of television’s biggest stories.

Djo – The Crux & Tour

His 2025 album The Crux led to 2026 concerts in Mexico, South America and North America, including a summer run with Tame Impala.

Cold Storage & Broadway Debut

Joe starred in the 2026 sci-fi comedy-horror Cold Storage with Liam Neeson and is now on stage in Other Desert Cities on Broadway.

Latest Projects 2026

Television	Stranger Things (Final Season) as Steve Harrington
Music	Djo – The Crux (2025 album) and 2026 tours
Film (2026)	Cold Storage (with Liam Neeson)
Broadway (2026–2027)	Other Desert Cities at the Hudson Theatre (opens October 18, 2026)
Notable Past Films	Free Guy, Spree
Industry	Film, Television, Music
Role	Actor, Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist
Official Pages	Instagram | IMDb

Joe Keery Awards, Achievements & Career Recognition

Joe Keery’s biggest awards recognition has come through the Stranger Things ensemble, which won one of the most respected honors in American television. Beyond awards, his music has earned major streaming milestones and critical attention, showing his success as both actor and artist. The table below lists the key recognitions, with a source link for each item that opens in a new tab so you can verify the details.

Because Stranger Things was recognized as a team, most of Joe’s awards are shared with the full cast. Still, his individual popularity, his role in Free Guy and his rise as Djo have made him one of the most talked-about performers of his generation.

Joe Keery Awards & Recognition Timeline

Year	Award / Recognition	Achievement Details
2017	SAG Award – Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series (Won)	Joe Keery was part of the Stranger Things cast that won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. The SAG Awards have since been renamed the Actor Awards.
2018	SAG Award – Ensemble Nomination	The Stranger Things ensemble, including Joe Keery, was nominated again for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
2020	SAG Award – Ensemble Nomination	Another ensemble nomination for Stranger Things, recognizing the strong cast performances in the show’s third season.
2021	Free Guy Box Office Success	Joe appeared in Free Guy, a major global box office hit that introduced him to an even bigger film audience.
2022	Viral Breakthrough with “End of Beginning”	Djo’s song gained huge attention on streaming platforms and social media, marking a major music breakthrough for Joe Keery.
2023	Spotify Streaming Milestone	“End of Beginning” was reported to pass one billion streams, a rare achievement for an actor-musician.
2025	The Crux Album Release & Critical Attention	Djo released his third studio album, The Crux, receiving attention from music critics and fans worldwide.

Awards information is based on public sources linked above. Please check each source for the latest official details.

No role is more closely connected to Joe Keery than Steve Harrington. When Stranger Things premiered in 2016, Steve was simply the good-looking, popular high-school boy who dated Nancy Wheeler and looked down on the main group of friends. Most viewers expected him to disappear after the first season. Instead, the way Joe played him, with a mix of arrogance, insecurity and hidden kindness, made people want to see more. That is why the character’s growth is often studied by fans and critics as one of the best redemption stories on television.

Steve’s Journey Season by Season

• Season 1 (2016): Steve appears as the typical popular teenager. Near the end he shows courage by helping fight the creature in the Byers house, which gave viewers the first sign that he was more than just a bully.
• Season 2 (2017): Steve becomes the unexpected protector of Dustin and the other kids. His bat covered in nails and his calm, funny advice turned him into the group’s unofficial “babysitter” and a fan favorite.
• Season 3 (2019): Working at the Scoops Ahoy ice cream shop in a sailor uniform, Steve teams up with Dustin, Erica and Robin. The friendship between Steve and Robin, played by Maya Hawke, became one of the most loved parts of the entire series.
• Season 4 (2022): Steve joins the battle against Vecna and shows even more bravery and loyalty, while his humor keeps the darker story balanced and emotional.
• Final Season (2025): Steve reaches the conclusion of his story, and Joe’s performance closes a character journey that fans have followed for almost ten years.

Joe has said in interviews that he enjoys the fact that Steve did not stay stuck as a villain. The character shows that people can change, grow and become better friends, and this message is a big reason why audiences connected with him. It also explains why searches for “Steve Harrington,” “Joe Keery Stranger Things” and “Joe Keery hair” remain very popular on Google.

Life After Stranger Things

When the show ended, Joe said the project felt like spending around two and a half colleges of his life on one story, since he worked on it for about ten years. He described the goodbye as a little overwhelming but exciting, and said he felt a renewed sense of creativity and wanted to try many different things. He also admitted that fans may need time to see him in roles other than Steve. Since then, his choices have been very varied: a sci-fi horror comedy in Cold Storage, rock and indie tours as Djo and a serious stage drama on Broadway.

Joe Keery has chosen his projects carefully, mixing mainstream hits with smaller, bolder films. Here is a quick guide to his most important screen work so far, which helps fans decide what to watch next.

Why Spree and Free Guy Matter

Spree showed a completely different side of Joe. Instead of playing a lovable friend, he took on the role of a lonely, desperate young man whose obsession with social media goes terribly wrong. The film is small and strange, but it helped prove that he is not limited to one type of character. Free Guy, on the other hand, placed him inside a huge studio comedy. As Keys, he played the creative mind behind a game world, and the movie’s mix of humor, action and heart reached millions of viewers around the world. Together, these two films show the range that makes Joe such an interesting actor to follow.

Joe Keery’s music career is not a hobby, it is a major part of his identity as an artist. Under the name Djo, he has released three studio albums that show how his sound has grown from home-recorded psychedelic pop to polished, cinematic indie-pop.

The Story Behind “End of Beginning”

“End of Beginning” is a nostalgic song about leaving a place, looking back at memories and realizing that something new is starting. It was first released in 2022, but its biggest moment came later, when social media users began pairing it with travel clips, graduation videos and personal memories. This kind of organic growth is rare, and it shows that the song’s emotional message connected with people in a real way, not just through marketing. The track gave Joe a major new audience, and many listeners who found the song first later learned he was the actor from Stranger Things.

Joe Keery’s Musical Style

• Retro-inspired synth sounds that remind listeners of the 1970s and 1980s.
• Dreamy, psychedelic guitar parts influenced by his time in Post Animal.
• Reflective lyrics about nostalgia, change, identity and growing up.
• Home-studio production, where Joe is heavily involved in writing and recording.
• A relaxed, slightly ironic vocal style that matches his personality.

One reason Joe Keery stands out in Hollywood is his easygoing, down-to-earth public image. He is known for dry humor, thoughtful interviews and a calm presence on red carpets. Instead of chasing constant attention, he lets his work speak for itself, which makes fans feel he is genuine.

His fashion style is another popular topic. Joe often wears vintage-inspired outfits, relaxed jackets, classic denim and 70s-style looks that match the retro tone of his music. His famous, voluminous hairstyle from Stranger Things became an internet trend, and fans still search for how to copy it. Style magazines and fashion fans also often mention how comfortable he looks in both casual clothes and formal suits, which has made him a regular name at premieres and fashion-related events.

In January 2026, Joe surprised fans at the Golden Globes with a new, shorter hairstyle, a big change from the famous Steve Harrington hair. Many viewers saw it as a symbol of his post-Stranger Things era, and searches for “Joe Keery new haircut” rose after the event.

Off screen, Joe is known to value privacy. He does not share much about his family or relationship on social media, and he prefers to focus on music, film and creative work. This balance of fame and privacy is part of why many people see him as a role model for young artists who want a long, steady career.

Why Fans Love Joe Keery

• Talent in two fields: He proves that an actor can also be a serious, respected songwriter.
• Humor and warmth: His natural comedic timing makes his characters feel real and relatable.
• Authenticity: He stays humble, private and focused on creative work instead of celebrity drama.
• Style: His vintage fashion and signature hair inspire fans all over the world.
• Consistency: From 2016 to today, he has kept growing as an actor and musician without losing his personality.

With Stranger Things now complete, many fans are curious about what Joe Keery will do next. Right now, the answer is Broadway: he is starring in Other Desert Cities in New York until January 17, 2027. After that, he is likely to keep balancing film roles with new Djo music and tours. He has already shown interest in unusual, character-driven stories like Spree and Cold Storage, so audiences can expect him to keep choosing projects that challenge him instead of repeating the same type of role.

His music career also has plenty of room to grow. Since The Crux received attention from fans and critics, more live shows, festival performances and new releases are natural next steps. For the most accurate updates on upcoming movies, tours and announcements, you can follow his official Instagram and check his IMDb page. You can also explore more stories like this in our Actors and Music Stars categories.

• Joe Keery was born on April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, which makes him 34 years old in 2026.
• His music stage name, Djo, was created to keep his music separate from his acting career.
• He studied at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago and was active in the city’s improv comedy scene.
• Before Djo, he played guitar in the psychedelic rock band Post Animal.
• Steve Harrington was not planned as a long-term character, but Joe’s performance made him a main fan favorite.
• His song “End of Beginning” became popular years after its release thanks to viral social media trends.
• Joe is known for his vintage, relaxed fashion style and 70s-inspired haircuts, which fans often copy.
• He is famously private about his personal life and rarely shares details about his dating life or family online.
• In 2026, he is making his Broadway debut in Other Desert Cities alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Harris, Allison Janney and Lily Rabe.
• He played Steve Harrington for about ten years, across all five seasons of Stranger Things.
• He appeared in the music video for Tame Impala’s song “Loser” and has toured with the band as Djo.

Joe Keery has built an impressive career by combining talent, patience and creativity. From a small-town childhood in Massachusetts to the Chicago theatre and music scenes, and then to global fame as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, his journey shows how hard work can open unexpected doors. Films like Free Guy and Spree proved his range as an actor, while Djo turned him into a respected songwriter with a worldwide audience. With a net worth estimated at around ten million dollars, a loyal fan base and many creative projects still ahead, Joe Keery remains one of the most exciting and likable stars in modern entertainment.