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Keegan-Michael Key Biography

Birth Name:Keegan-Michael Key

Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer, Writer

Fast Facts

Helped establish the Detroit Creativity Project, which aims to teach students how to communicate through improv comedy
Helped found the Planet Ant Theatre in 1996
Received a Peabody Award in 2013 for his work on "Key & Peele․"
Graduated from Pennsylvania State University School of Theatre with a Master of Fine Arts
Graduated from the University of Detroit in 1993
While attending University of Detroit, he joined the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity
Performed improvisation with the Second City Theatre in Chicago
Known for his roles on the comedy series "MADtv" and "Key and Peele․"
Well known for his character Luther, President Obama's anger translator
Has appeared in the web series "Epic Rap Battles" as Mahatma Gandhi in 2013

Awards

2013WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2014American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
2014Festival Award-Best Actor: winner
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Male Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2015Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program: nominated
2016Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2016Image Award-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: nominated
2016OFTA Television Award-Best Male Performance in a Variety Program: nominated
2016OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance in a Animated Program: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: winner
2016Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
2016WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety - Sketch Series: nominated
2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
2017The BAM Award-Best Cast: nominated
2018Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Comedy Series: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Variety Performer of the Decade: nominated
2020Black Reel-Outstanding Voice Performance: nominated
2022Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Comedy Series: nominated
2022HCA Award-Best Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy: nominated
2023Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023MMCG Award-Award for Film Excellence: winner
2024Astra TV Award-Best Actor in a Streaming Comedy Series: nominated
2024Black Reel-Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy Series: nominated
2024Blimp Award-Favorite Villain: nominated
2024MMCG Award-Award for Film Excellence: nominated
2025Image Award-Outstanding Guest Performance: nominated