Who Played Steve Harrington? Meet Joe Keery – Actor & Djo

Few characters have pulled off a transformation as satisfying as Steve Harrington’s in Stranger Things, going from the show’s resident high school jerk to its most beloved babysitter. The actor behind the hair and the nail bat is Joe Keery, a 33-year-old Massachusetts native who has also built a parallel career as the psychedelic pop musician Djo. Here’s what you need to know about the man who played Steve Harrington, his net worth, his music, and where he’s headed next.

Full Name: Joseph David Keery ·
Date of Birth: April 24, 1992 ·
Age (2025): 33 years old ·
Known For: Steve Harrington in Stranger Things ·
Net Worth (Estimated): $4 million ·
Music Alias: Djo

Seven key facts about Joe Keery, from name to net worth — one pattern: most details are reliably sourced, except his wealth.

How old is Joe Keery in real life?

Joe Keery was born on April 24, 1992, which makes him 33 years old as of 2025, per his Wikipedia biography. Editorial coverage from 2025, including a profile in The Independent article, confirms his age at 33. He grew up in Newburyport, Massachusetts, a coastal town about 35 miles north of Boston, and later moved to Chicago to study at DePaul University’s Theatre School, graduating in 2014.

Where is Joe Keery living now?

• He currently resides in Los Angeles, California
• He moved there after landing roles in Chicago-based productions and then Stranger Things
• He keeps his personal address private, as noted in fan biographies (Famous Birthdays profile)

The trade-off: Keery’s privacy means fans often rely on celebrity databases for location data, but none offer a verified current address — only a general “lives in LA” consensus.

The takeaway: Keery’s age is well-documented, but his exact residence remains private.

Is Joe Keery still an actor?

Yes — Joe Keery remains an active actor, most recently filming the final season of Stranger Things (Season 5), which runs through 2025. Beyond Hawkins, he has built a solid filmography. His first television role was on Chicago Fire in 2015 (IMDb profile). He appeared in Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game (2017), the Ryan Reynolds action-comedy Free Guy (2021), and the horror-thriller Spree (2020), where he played a murderous rideshare driver. He also had a supporting role in the HBO series The White Lotus Season 2 (2022) (IMDb profile).

Who is the richest Stranger Things actor?

• Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) leads the cast with an estimated net worth of $14–20 million, per industry reporting
• Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers) has a long-established career with an estimated net worth north of $20 million
• Joe Keery’s $4 million estimate places him in the middle tier of the cast

The pattern: Keery’s wealth is solid but not close to the top earners. The real gap comes from endorsements and producing deals that younger cast members have leveraged.

The pattern: Keery continues to act, with his income supplemented by his music career.

Why is Joe Keery called Djo?

Djo is the stage name Joe Keery uses for his music career. The name is a play on his initials — Joseph David Keery — as Wikipedia biography explains. He released his debut single “Touch” in 2019 under the Djo alias, followed by the album Twenty Twenty later that year. His second album, Decide, dropped in 2022 and included the viral single “End of Beginning,” which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 (Wikipedia biography). In interviews, Keery has described the Djo project as a creative outlet distinct from acting. NME magazine reported that he wrote much of Decide while filming Stranger Things.

The implication: The Djo project is not a side gig but a serious musical endeavor.

Is Joe Keery a millionaire?

By most estimates, yes — Joe Keery is a millionaire, though the precise number varies significantly. A 2026 biography from TheCityCeleb biography pegs his net worth at about $4 million. Another 2026 profile from LeaderBiography profile estimates a wider range of $8–15 million. The gap reflects how opaque celebrity finances are — neither site is a primary source. His income comes from acting salaries (including his reported $6 million for Stranger Things Season 5, per Edible Brooklyn report), music royalties, and live performances as Djo.

The catch: None of these estimates are independently audited. For a reliable number, a court document or official financial disclosure would be needed — neither exists publicly.

What happened to Joe Keery?

Nothing dramatic happened to Joe Keery — he simply continued working. The question “What happened to Joe Keery?” reflects curiosity about an actor who maintains a relatively low personal profile. He has not had any public scandals, legal issues, or health crises. In 2022, his character Steve Harrington survived Season 4 of Stranger Things (the season that saw major character deaths), and he returned for the fifth and final season (Wikipedia biography). He also released Decide in 2022, keeping his music career active.

Has Joe Keery got a wife?

• He keeps his relationships private; no confirmed wife or marriage
• There is no public record of a spouse, engagement, or wedding

Is Joe Keery LGBTQ in real life?

• He has not publicly identified as LGBTQ
• His sexual orientation is not discussed in any interview or biography

Is Joe Keery nice in real life?

• Co-stars describe him as humble and friendly. Maya Hawke (Robin in Stranger Things) told Teen Vogue interview that Keery is “genuinely kind” and easy to work with
• Fans who meet him at conventions and shows often share positive anecdotes on social media (Instagram account)

“Joe Keery is genuinely kind and easy to work with.” — Maya Hawke, co-star on Stranger Things

The implication: Keery’s privacy is a choice, not a sign of trouble. He deliberately separates his public work from personal life, which in 2025 is increasingly rare for a mainstream actor.

Timeline: Joe Keery’s career in 7 key moments

What this means: Keery’s timeline shows a steady, unbroken climb — from theatre school to TV, from a supporting character to a fan favorite, and from actor to successful recording artist. There was no dip, no hiatus, no scandal. Just consistent output across two disciplines.

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