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Jordan Peele Biography

Birth Place:

New York, New York, United States

Profession

Actor, comedian

Fast Facts

Intended to be a puppeteer in college, but dropped out to study comedy, including a stint with Boom Chicago in Amsterdam; while on a cast swap with Second City in Chicago in 2002, met his future comedic partner Keegan-Michael Key
Before the premiere of Key & Peele on Comedy Central in 2012, overlapped with Key for several seasons in the cast of MADtv
Unsuccessfully auditioned to play Barack Obama on Saturday Night Live in 2008 (the role went to Fred Armisen), but would earn acclaim for impersonating the president on Key & Peele in 2012
Like Key, has a black father and a white mother, a biracial status that provides a unique cultural sensitivity and informs much of their comedy

2021Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
2019Producers Guild Awards-Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2018Independent Spirit Awards-Best Director: winner
2018Writers Guild Awards-Original Screenplay: winner
2018BAFTA Film Awards-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018Producers Guild Awards-Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2018Independent Spirit Awards-Best Screenplay: nominated
2018Independent Spirit Awards-Best Feature: winner
2017Critics' Choice Awards-Best Director: nominated
2017Critics' Choice Awards-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2017Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing: nominated
2017Oscar-Best Writing (Original Screenplay): winner
2017Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: nominated
2016Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2016Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: winner
2016Producers Guild Awards-Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment & Talk Television: nominated
2015Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2015Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2015Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2014Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2008Emmy-Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics: nominated