You probably remember him first as the guy with the punchable face. Back in 2016, when Stranger Things dropped on Netflix with almost zero fanfare, the character of Steve Harrington was basically designed to be the sacrificial lamb of the season. He was the classic 80s douchebag. The guy with the perfect hair who broke cameras and treated Jonathan Byers like dirt. But then, something weird happened.
Joe Keery happened.
If you’re looking for who played Steve in Stranger Things, the name you need is Joe Keery, an actor who took a role originally written to be killed off and turned it into the beating heart of a global phenomenon. It’s one of those rare TV miracles. Most actors just read the lines, but Keery brought a specific, vulnerable energy to Steve that forced the Duffer Brothers to rewrite the entire trajectory of the series.
The Audition That Wasn't for Steve
Here is the kicker: Joe Keery didn’t even audition for Steve initially. He actually sent in a tape for Jonathan Byers. Can you imagine that? The vibe would have been completely different.
When he eventually auditioned for the role of the high school kingpin, he brought a certain likability that wasn't on the page. The Duffers have talked about this in multiple interviews—specifically in the Beyond Stranger Things aftershow. They mentioned that Steve was supposed to be a "giant jerk" who didn't survive Season 1. But Keery was so charismatic and, frankly, so soulful in his delivery that they realized they couldn't lose him. He wasn't just a jock. He was a kid trying to figure out if he was actually a good person.
From "King Steve" to the Internet’s Favorite Babysitter
The transition of Steve Harrington is arguably the greatest character arc in modern television history. Joe Keery played Steve in Stranger Things as a guy who lost everything—his popularity, his girlfriend, his status—and found himself in the process.
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Think about Season 2. That’s where the "Babysitter Steve" meme was born. While the other teenagers were busy with their own drama, Steve ended up armed with a nail-bat, protecting a group of middle schoolers from inter-dimensional dogs. His chemistry with Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson) became the show's secret weapon. It wasn't planned. It was organic. It grew out of Keery’s ability to play the "reluctant older brother" with a mix of exhaustion and genuine love.
By the time we hit the "Scoops Ahoy" era of Season 3, Keery had fully leaned into the comedy. He isn't afraid to look stupid. He spent half a season in a sailor outfit with a bruised face, and yet, he remained the coolest person on screen. That's a hard line to walk.
Who is Joe Keery Outside of Hawkins?
Before he became the guy who played Steve in Stranger Things, Joe Keery was a struggling musician and actor in Chicago. He’s a graduate of DePaul University’s Theatre School, which explains why his technical acting skills are so sharp. He isn't just a "personality" actor; he has real range.
If you've only seen him in Stranger Things, you’re missing out on his range:
- Free Guy: He played Keys, a tech genius, opposite Ryan Reynolds. It showed he could handle a big-budget blockbuster without the 80s hair.
- Spree: This is a wild one. He plays a social-media-obsessed rideshare driver who goes on a killing spree. It’s dark, satirical, and proves he can play a villain just as well as a hero.
- Fargo: In the fifth season of the FX anthology, he plays Gator Tillman. He’s unrecognizable. He trades the charm for a pathetic, desperate edge that is genuinely uncomfortable to watch.
- Music (Djo): This is where it gets really cool. Under the name Djo, Keery releases psych-pop music that is actually good. It’s not "actor music." His 2022 album Decide and the viral hit "End of Beginning" proved he’s a legitimate force in the indie music scene.
The Hair, the Myth, the Legend
We have to talk about it. The hair. It has its own zip code.
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In the show, Steve credits his volume to Fabergé Organics and "four puffs of the Farrah Fawcett spray." In reality, Keery has admitted that he doesn't actually do much to it. It’s just a genetic lottery win. During the height of the show's popularity, his hair became such a focal point of his identity that he eventually cut it into a bowl cut for a while—possibly just to get people to stop talking about it. It didn't work. The internet went into a collective state of mourning.
Why Keery’s Portrayal Matters for the Final Season
As we head into the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, the stakes for Steve Harrington are higher than ever. Because Joe Keery played Steve with such deep empathy, fans are terrified he’ll be the one to die. He’s the protector. He’s the guy who always gets beat up so the kids don't have to.
Keery has managed to keep Steve's growth consistent. He didn't just become a "good guy" and stop there. He’s still a little vain. He’s still a little confused about his future. He’s still pining for Nancy Wheeler in a way that feels painfully human. He isn't a caricature of a hero; he’s a guy who realized that being "King Steve" was a dead end and that being a "babysitter" was actually a calling.
Beyond the Screen: A Career in Full Swing
What's next for the man who played Steve in Stranger Things?
The industry is watching him closely. Unlike many child or teen stars who get trapped by a single iconic role, Keery has been very intentional about his choices. He avoids the "pretty boy" roles. He picks weird, indie projects. He leans into characters that are flawed, messy, or downright strange.
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His musical project, Djo, continues to pull in millions of listeners on Spotify, often from people who don't even realize he’s the guy from the Netflix show. That level of artistic separation is rare. It’s a testament to his talent that he can exist in two completely different worlds—the massive Hollywood machine and the DIY indie music scene—without one eclipsing the other.
The Impact of the "Steve Harrington" Phenomenon
Steve's popularity changed the way writers approach "bully" characters in TV. It proved that you don't need a redemption arc that feels forced or unearned. Steve’s change was slow. It was messy. It involved him losing a lot of fights.
Joe Keery played Steve in Stranger Things as a man who learned to take an "L." That’s his superpower. He loses the girl. He loses the popularity contest. He loses the fight with the Russian guard. But he gets back up every single time.
If you want to dive deeper into Joe Keery’s work, here is what you should do next:
- Listen to the album "Decide" by Djo. Specifically the track "End of Beginning." It captures a sense of nostalgia that feels very connected to his journey as an actor.
- Watch "Spree" (2020). It will completely shatter your image of Steve Harrington in the best way possible. It shows just how much dark energy Keery can tap into.
- Follow the production of Stranger Things Season 5. This will be the final time we see Keery in the role, and the rumor mill is already spinning about Steve’s ultimate fate in the battle for Hawkins.
Joe Keery didn't just play a character; he saved a character from being a footnote and turned him into a legend. Whether he's wielding a bat or a guitar, he’s proven that he’s one of the most interesting talents of his generation.