Most people know him as the guy who didn't know how to "be" Black. Or, at least, the guy who played the guy who didn't know how to "be" Black.
When we talk about keith powell movies and tv shows, the conversation almost always starts and stops with James "Toofer" Spurlock. You remember him on 30 Rock. The Harvard-educated writer who acted as the perfect, stiff-collared foil to Tracy Jordan’s chaotic energy. But honestly? Limiting Keith Powell to a sitcom sidekick from the late 2000s is a massive disservice to one of the most versatile "multi-hyphenates" working in the industry today.
He’s a director. He’s a writer. He’s a producer who literally ran his own theater company before most people even knew his face.
The 30 Rock Era and the "Urban" Voice
Let’s get the big one out of the way. Between 2006 and 2013, Powell was a fixture on NBC. As Toofer, he represented a very specific kind of cultural tension that Tina Fey loved to poke at. The nickname itself was a jab at affirmative action—a "two-for-one" hire because he was Black and a Harvard grad.
But Powell brought a weirdly relatable humanity to a character that could have easily been a one-dimensional cartoon. He wasn't just playing a "smart guy." He was playing a man constantly defending his right to exist outside of a stereotype.
Powell has talked openly in interviews about how he landed the role. He didn't play the "joke" of being smart and Black. He just was smart. That subtlety is probably why he’s one of the few cast members who felt essential to the TGS writer’s room dynamic.
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Life After the Rock: Directing and Web Series
What do you do after seven seasons on an Emmy-winning juggernaut? If you're Keith Powell, you break your leg.
Actually, that’s literal.
In 2015, he created a semi-autobiographical web series called Keith Broke His Leg. It is, hands down, one of the most underrated pieces of indie comedy from that decade. It follows a fictionalized version of himself navigating Los Angeles after a freak accident. It’s "Curb Your Enthusiasm" but with a bit more soul and a lot more reflection on what it means to be a Black actor in Hollywood.
He didn't just star in it. He wrote, directed, and produced the whole thing. It won him multiple Indie Series Awards, including Best Actor in a Comedy. It was the moment he shifted from "the guy on that show" to a legitimate creator.
A Career Behind the Lens
If you haven't seen his face as much lately, it's because he’s probably behind the camera. Powell has quietly become a go-to director for some of your favorite shows. He started in the NBC Emerging Directors program and never looked back.
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Take a look at his directing credits:
- Superstore
- Dickinson
- Single Drunk Female
- Interview with the Vampire
- So Help Me Todd
That’s a wild range. Directing a workplace sitcom like Superstore is one thing, but jumping into the lush, gothic world of Interview with the Vampire? That requires serious technical chops. It shows he isn't just a "comedy guy." He's a visual storyteller.
Essential Keith Powell Movies and TV Shows to Watch
If you're looking to dive into his filmography, don't just stick to the hits. Here is the stuff that actually shows his range.
1. The Newsroom (TV Series)
He had a recurring role in the final season of Aaron Sorkin’s HBO drama. Seeing him trade rapid-fire dialogue in a Sorkin-verse is a treat. It’s a complete 180 from the zany world of 30 Rock.
2. My Name Is David (Film)
This is a gritty, indie project where he wears almost every hat imaginable—writer, producer, and star. It’s about a man who finds a lost baby and decides to keep it. It’s dark, weird, and deeply human.
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3. This Is Us (TV Series)
He popped up as Dr. Vance in this massive NBC tear-jerker. It’s a small role, but it highlights his ability to anchor a scene with gravitas.
4. Connecting (TV Series)
During the 2020 lockdowns, Powell starred in this "shot on iPhones" sitcom about friends staying in touch via Zoom. It was a weird time for television, but his performance as Garret felt like one of the few things that actually captured the exhaustion of that era.
5. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Yeah, he’s in the big blockbusters too. It’s a smaller role, but it’s a reminder that he can hold his own in a massive ensemble alongside Ben Stiller and Robin Williams.
Why He Still Matters in 2026
The landscape of Hollywood is shifting, and Powell is right at the center of it. He’s spent years calling out the "urban voice" problem—the idea that Black actors are often asked to sound "more Black" in auditions. By moving into directing and writing, he’s actually doing the work to change who gets to make those calls.
He’s a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He’s a theater veteran who ran the Contemporary Stage Company in Delaware. He’s not a "celebrity" in the TMZ sense, and that’s clearly by choice. He’s a craftsman.
If you want to understand keith powell movies and tv shows, you have to look at the transition from being a "two-for-one" actor to a director who dictates the tone of the entire production.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch the transition: Start with a few episodes of 30 Rock (specifically "Hard Ball") and then jump straight into Keith Broke His Leg. The contrast is fascinating.
- Check the credits: Next time you’re watching a prestige drama like Interview with the Vampire, keep an eye on the "Directed by" credit.
- Support indie film: Look for The Beta Test or My Name Is David on streaming platforms to see his work outside the studio system.