---
name: "Keegan-Michael Key"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/keegan-michael-key"
fi1m_id: "keegan-michael-key"
imdb_id: "nm1221047"
tmdb_id: 298410
wikidata_id: "Q6382703"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "22 March 1971"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 19
average_fi1m_score: 65
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 18
updated: "2026-10-15T04:03:19.944378+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Keegan-Michael Key

## Identity

Keegan-Michael Key

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/keegan-michael-key
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** keegan-michael-key
- **IMDb ID:** nm1221047
- **TMDB ID:** 298410
- **Wikidata ID:** Q6382703
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keegan-Michael_Key, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6382703, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1221047/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/298410

Actor. Born 22 March 1971 in Southfield, Michigan, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 22 March 1971, Southfield, Michigan, USA
- **Active:** 2012–present
- **Also known as:** Keegan Michael Key, Key & Peele
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 19: 18 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Aaron Horvath](https://film.one/person/aaron-horvath.md), [Anya Taylor-Joy](https://film.one/person/anya-taylor-joy.md), [Charlie Day](https://film.one/person/charlie-day.md), [Chris Meledandri](https://film.one/person/chris-meledandri.md), [Chris Pratt](https://film.one/person/chris-pratt.md), [Jack Black](https://film.one/person/jack-black.md), [Josh Cooley](https://film.one/person/josh-cooley.md), [Matthew Fogel](https://film.one/person/matthew-fogel.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 65, as actor, over 18 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2010s 70 (12), 2020s 59 (7)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 64 to 64 across 17 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 9 at 60–79, 7 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 11 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 14, Family 11, Animation 9, Fantasy 7, Adventure 6, Action & Adventure 3
- **Screen time:** 22 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $7,747m across 13 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keegan-Michael_Key, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6382703, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1221047/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/298410

## Coming up

- *The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania* (2027-10-07), as Murray (voice)

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Key & Peele*](https://film.one/tv/key-and-peele.md) (82), [*Transformers One*](https://film.one/film/transformers-one.md) (70), [*Wonka*](https://film.one/film/wonka.md) (68)
- **Disney+:** [*Toy Story 4*](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md) (78), [*The Lion King*](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king-2019.md) (52)
- **Netflix:** [*Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation*](https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation.md) (64), [*Hotel Transylvania 2*](https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-2.md) (52)
- **Peacock:** [*The Super Mario Bros. Movie*](https://film.one/film/the-super-mario-bros-movie.md) (56), [*The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*](https://film.one/film/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie.md) (38)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Keegan-Michael Key

> Keegan-Michael Key can make relentless friendliness unsettling without losing the joke. We like him most when a film gives that precision something to do; the animated sidekick parts too often settle for noise.

In *Buddy* (2026), the unicorn keeps sounding reassuring when his behaviour gives us every reason to be alarmed. Keegan-Michael Key supplies the voice, Sergey Zhuravsky the performance inside the suit, and together they keep the mascot recognisable as a creature from children's television. We laughed because Key never let Buddy's violence dislodge that insistently friendly manner. Casper Kelly's film is unevenly paced, but it gives Key a better comic task than simply talking faster or louder.

His sketch work, from *MADtv*, which he joined in 2004, to *Key & Peele* (2012–2015) with Jordan Peele, depended on heightened characters and impressions. Film and voice roles became a larger part of his work from the mid-2010s; he voiced Ducky alongside Peele in *Toy Story 4* (2019). That move has brought too many parts in which an exaggerated voice is almost all he is given to work with.

Josh Cooley's *Transformers One* (2024) makes better use of his chatter. Key's B-127 has been alone so long that he holds conversations with scrap, which gives all that talking a reason beyond filling a quiet moment. He wore us out before he made us laugh, but the loneliness gives the delivery something specific to tell us about him.

Toad gets less help in the Mario film from 2023, where Key's cheerfulness amounts to noise. In the 2026 sequel, he talks fast in a film that will barely hold a shot long enough for a joke. Paul King's *Wonka* (2023) finds a different way to waste him: its Chief of Police accepts chocolate bribes and grows fatter beneath successive prosthetic suits. The joke is cheap and repeated past usefulness, and Mark Everson's brisk editing cannot solve a film already crowded with competing plot strands. For Key with something stranger to do, choose *Buddy*, provided uneven pacing and a murderous mascot do not put you off.

## Biography

Keegan-Michael Key is an American actor and comedian. He graduated with a BFA from the University of Detroit Mercy and an MFA from Pennsylvania State University. He joined the cast of MADtv in 2004 and co-created and starred in the Comedy Central sketch series Key & Peele (2012–2015) with Jordan Peele.

Key has appeared in films including Wonka (2023) as the Chief of Police and provided voice roles in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and Transformers One (2024) as Toad and B-127 respectively. He is scheduled to reprise the voice of Toad in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026). Other credits include voice work in Toy Story 4 (2019), The Lion King (2019) and Get Out (2017).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, deadline.com.*

## On Fi1m (19)

### Performed in (18) — the average rests on these

- *Buddy* (2026), Fi1m 67, as Buddy the Unicorn (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/buddy.md)
- *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), Fi1m 55, as Davy Crockett — [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md)
- *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* (2026), Fi1m 38, as Toad (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie.md)
- *IF* (2024), Fi1m 56, as Slime (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/if.md)
- *Transformers One* (2024), Fi1m 70, as B-127 (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/transformers-one.md)
- *The Super Mario Bros. Movie* (2023), Fi1m 56, as Toad (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-super-mario-bros-movie.md)
- *Wonka* (2023), Fi1m 68, as Chief of Police — [page](https://film.one/film/wonka.md)
- *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance* (2019), Fi1m 76, as skekZok (The Ritual Master) (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-dark-crystal-age-of-resistance.md)
- *The Lion King* (2019), Fi1m 52, as Kamari (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king-2019.md)
- *Toy Story 4* (2019), Fi1m 78, as Ducky (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md)
- *Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation* (2018), Fi1m 64, as Murray (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation.md)
- *The Predator* (2018), Fi1m 48, as Coyle — [page](https://film.one/film/the-predator.md)
- *The Disaster Artist* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Keegan-Michael Key — [page](https://film.one/film/the-disaster-artist.md)
- *Angie Tribeca* (2016), Fi1m 66, as Helmut FröntBüt — [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md)
- *Hotel Transylvania 2* (2015), Fi1m 52, as Murray (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-2.md)
- *The Lego Movie* (2014), Fi1m 83, as Foreman Jim (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lego-movie.md)
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), Fi1m 78, as Fourth-Dimensional Being (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Key & Peele* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Various Characters — [page](https://film.one/tv/key-and-peele.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Get Out* (2017), Fi1m 89, as NCAA Prospect (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/get-out.md)

## Complete filmography (113)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Haunting of Hotel Transylvania* (2027), as Murray (voice)
- *Buddy* (2026), as Buddy the Unicorn (voice) — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/buddy.md)
- *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), series, as Davy Crockett — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md)
- *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* (2026), as Toad (voice) — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie.md)
- *Play Dirty* (2025), as Ed Mackey
- *Dear Santa* (2024), as Dr. Finkleman
- *Transformers One* (2024), as B-127 (voice) — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/transformers-one.md)
- *IF* (2024), as Slime (voice) — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/if.md)
- *Elsbeth* (2024), series, as Ashton Hayes
- *Wonka* (2023), as Chief of Police — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/wonka.md)
- *Migration* (2023), as Delroy (voice)
- *The Super Mario Bros. Movie* (2023), as Toad (voice) — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/the-super-mario-bros-movie.md)
- *Wendell & Wild* (2022), as Wendell (voice)
- *Reboot* (2022), series, as Reed Sterling
- *Pinocchio* (2022), as 'Honest' John (voice)
- *Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers* (2022), as Frog Co-Worker / Bjornson the Cheesemonger (voice)
- *The Pentaverate* (2022), series, as Dr. Hobart Clark
- *The Bubble* (2022), as Sean Knox
- *Hotel Transylvania: Transformania* (2022), as Murray (voice)
- *Abbott Elementary* (2021), series, as Superintendent Reynolds — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/abbott-elementary.md)
- *Only Murders in the Building* (2021), series, as Mayor Tillman — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/only-murders-in-the-building.md)
- *Schmigadoon!* (2021), series, as Josh Skinner
- *Pixar Popcorn* (2021), series, as Ducky (voice)
- *The Prom* (2020), as Principal Hawkins
- *Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey* (2020), as Gustafson
- *Home Movie: The Princess Bride* (2020), series, as Inigo Montoya
- *All the Bright Places* (2020), as Embry
- *Playing with Fire* (2019), as Mark
- *Green Eggs and Ham* (2019), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Dolemite Is My Name* (2019), as Jerry Jones
- *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance* (2019), series, as skekZok (The Ritual Master) (voice) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-dark-crystal-age-of-resistance.md)
- *The Lion King* (2019), as Kamari (voice) — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king-2019.md)
- *Toy Story 4* (2019), as Ducky (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md)
- *The Predator* (2018), as Coyle — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/the-predator.md)
- *Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation* (2018), as Murray (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-3-summer-vacation.md)
- *Impulse* (2018), series, as Michael Pearce
- *The Star* (2017), as Dave (voice)
- *No Activity* (2017), series, as Officer Charles Brock
- *Friends from College* (2017), series, as Ethan Turner
- *The Disaster Artist* (2017), as Keegan-Michael Key — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-disaster-artist.md)
- *Win It All* (2017), as Gene
- *Get Out* (2017), as NCAA Prospect (uncredited) — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/get-out.md)
- *Detroiters* (2017), series, as Smilin' Jack
- *Why Him?* (2016), as Gustav
- *Pigeon Toady's Guide to Your New Baby* (2016), as Alpha Wolf (voice)
- *Bad Guys* (2016), as Mantis Commander (voice)
- *Storks* (2016), as Alpha Wolf (voice)
- *Don't Think Twice* (2016), as Jack
- *Welcome to Happiness* (2016), as Proctor
- *The Angry Birds Movie* (2016), as Judge Peckinpah (voice)
- *Keanu* (2016), as Clarence Goobril / Smoke Dresden · Producer
- *Angie Tribeca* (2016), series, as Helmut FröntBüt — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md)
- *Freaks of Nature* (2015), as Mr. Keller
- *SuperMansion* (2015), series, as American Ranger
- *Hotel Transylvania 2* (2015), as Murray (voice) — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-2.md)
- *The Hotwives of Las Vegas* (2015), series, as Ace
- *Vacation* (2015), as Jack Peterson
- *Tomorrowland* (2015), as Hugo
- *Teacher of the Year* (2015), as Ronald Douche
- *Pitch Perfect 2* (2015), as Beca's Boss
- *Key and Peele: Super Bowl Special* (2015), Various Characters, Writer
- *Rubberhead* (2014), Writer
- *Horrible Bosses 2* (2014), as Mike
- *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as Sebastian St. Clair (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md)
- *Let's Be Cops* (2014), as Pupa
- *Playing House* (2014), series, as Mark Rodriguez
- *Fargo* (2014), series, as Bill Budge — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *The Lego Movie* (2014), as Foreman Jim (voice) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lego-movie.md)
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as Fourth-Dimensional Being (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Mexican Standoff (ft. Key & Peele)* (2013), as Agent
- *Super Fun Night* (2013), series, as Slade
- *Hell Baby* (2013), as F'resnel
- *Afternoon Delight* (2013), as Bo
- *Veep* (2012), series, as Jordan Thomas Jr. — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md)
- *Wanderlust* (2012), as Marcy’s Flunkie
- *Key & Peele* (2012), series, as Various Characters · Executive Producer, Creator — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/key-and-peele.md)
- *House of Lies* (2012), series, as Devin
- *'Weird Al' Yankovic: Alpocalypse* (2011), as Gangsta #2
- *Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star* (2011), as Guinness Man
- *Wilfred* (2011), series, as Dick Barbian
- *Love Bites* (2011), series, as Drew
- *Just Go with It* (2011), as Ernesto
- *Bob's Burgers* (2011), series, as Beefersutherland (voice), Bartender (voice), Cory (voice), Dr. Juarez (voice), Todd (voice), Darnell (voice)
- *Due Date* (2010), as New Father
- *Welcome to the Jungle Gym* (2010), as Mike McKenzie
- *Epic Rap Battles of History* (2010), series, as Gandhi, Michael Jordan
- *Sons of Tucson* (2010), series, as Eric
- *The League* (2009), series, as Carmenjello
- *The Middle* (2009), series, as Reverend Erik Devow
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Tom Delaney — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Archer* (2009), series, as Floyd (voice), Detective Rimshot (voice)
- *Parks and Recreation* (2009), series, as Craig, Joe — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md)
- *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Cop, Captain Tripper
- *Role Models* (2008), as Duane
- *Chocolate News* (2008), series, Actor
- *Yoga Matt* (2008), as Matt
- *Gary Unmarried* (2008), series, as Curtis
- *'Weird Al' Yankovic: White & Nerdy* (2006), as Gangster
- *How I Met Your Mother* (2005), series, as Calvin — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/how-i-met-your-mother.md)
- *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (2005), series, as Grant Anderson
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Dennis (voice), E-Money (voice)
- *Mr. 3000* (2004), as Reporter
- *Uncle Nino* (2003), as Stranger in Airport
- *I'm with Her* (2003), series, as Orderly
- *Reno 911!* (2003), series, as Theoretical Criminal, Cow Man, Blu-Ray Thief
- *Samurai Jack* (2001), series, as Da' Samurai (voice)
- *Garage: A Rock Saga* (2000), as TV Studio Manager
- *MADtv* (1995), series, as Various
- *ER* (1994), series, as Witkowski — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Lunatics: A Love Story* (1991), as Passerby (uncredited)
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Jazzy James (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Sesame Street* (1969), series, Actor
- *Romy and Michele 2*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Keegan-Michael Key](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-94e45df15921.jpg) Keegan-Michael Key — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Keegan-Michael_Key_%2849550965587%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Keegan-Michael_Key_%2849550965587%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![(Photo/Sarah E. Freeman/Grady College, freemans@uga.edu in New York City, Georgia, on Saturday, May 21, 2016)](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-740ee49896bc.jpg) (Photo/Sarah E. Freeman/Grady College, freemans@uga.edu in New York City, Georgia, on Saturday, May 21, 2016) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Keegan-Michael_Key_%2826954540614%29.jpg/1280px-Keegan-Michael_Key_%2826954540614%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![(Photo/Sarah E. Freeman/Grady College, freemans@uga.edu in New York City, Georgia, on Saturday, May 21, 2016)](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-640cffc3b19f.jpg) (Photo/Sarah E. Freeman/Grady College, freemans@uga.edu in New York City, Georgia, on Saturday, May 21, 2016) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Keegan-Michael_Key_%2826954539924%29.jpg/1280px-Keegan-Michael_Key_%2826954539924%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![(Photo/Sarah E. Freeman/Grady College, freemans@uga.edu in New York City, Georgia, on Saturday, May 21, 2016)](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-af0cd8ebb6b5.jpg) (Photo/Sarah E. Freeman/Grady College, freemans@uga.edu in New York City, Georgia, on Saturday, May 21, 2016) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Keegan-Michael_Key_%2826954551894%29.jpg/1280px-Keegan-Michael_Key_%2826954551894%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Keegan-Michael Key](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-f919a54c4822.jpg) Keegan-Michael Key — Image via TMDB
- ![Keegan-Michael Key](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-ece3bf5cfac4.jpg) Keegan-Michael Key — Image via TMDB
- ![Keegan-Michael Key](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-d3fa4ebd8916.jpg) Keegan-Michael Key — Image via TMDB
- ![Keegan-Michael Key](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-dfb836f55942.jpg) Keegan-Michael Key — Image via TMDB
- ![Keegan-Michael Key](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-9939935476a7.jpg) Keegan-Michael Key — Image via TMDB
- ![Keegan-Michael Key](https://film.one/media/person/6904/gallery-42e161368584.jpg) Keegan-Michael Key — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2014: Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series (nominated), for *Key & Peele*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/keegan-michael-key