Kel Mitchell
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Kel Johari Rice Mitchell (born August 25, 1978) is an American actor, comedian, rapper, singer, and TV host.<ref name="TCMDB" /><ref name="People-Finding Faith" /> He was an original cast member of the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series All That for its first five seasons (1994–1999), where he was often paired with Kenan Thompson. His role as Ed in the All That sketch was reprised for the 1997 teen comedy film loosely based on the series, Good Burger. He co-starred with Thompson on the Nickelodeon sitcom Kenan & Kel from 1996 to 2000. Mitchell received two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his role as "T-Bone" in the children's animated series Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000–2003). From 2015 to 2019, he starred as Double G on the Nickelodeon sitcom Game Shakers.
Early lifeEdit
Mitchell was born August 25, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois,<ref name="TCMDB">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and is from the South Side.<ref name="People-Finding Faith">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He attended Chicago Vocational High School and took drama classes at the ETA Creative Arts Foundation.<ref>Class Clown Chicago Tribune. July 27, 1997.</ref> He has two sisters, Kenyatta and Kyra.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
CareerEdit
Mitchell started his acting career alongside Kenan Thompson at the age of 15, in the Nickelodeon comedy sketch series All That, from 1994 to 1999. He and Thompson worked on the series Kenan & Kel from 1996 to 2000. They starred in the 1997 film Good Burger, which grew out of one of Mitchell's sketches from All That. The duo appeared together in an episode of Sister, Sister with Tia and Tamera Mowry, four episodes of The Steve Harvey Show, and in a special two-part episode of Cousin Skeeter. They were also featured in an episode of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
Outside of his ventures with Kenan Thompson, Mitchell provided the voice of a mild-mannered and playful dog named T-Bone in the children's cartoon series Clifford the Big Red Dog, alongside John Ritter, from 2000 to 2003. Additionally, he made an appearance in the 2004 Kanye West music video "All Falls Down" as a valet. Mitchell co-hosted Dance 360 with Fredro Starr; the show lasted for only one season. From 2005 until 2006, Mitchell portrayed Manny Sellers in the sitcom One on One, and in 2007 Mitchell starred in BET's Take the Cake. Some of his other credits include Honeydripper and Mystery Men. In 2003, both Mitchell and his Kenan & Kel co-star Kenan Thompson auditioned for Saturday Night Live, but only Thompson made the cut. In 2006, Mitchell was the subject of a death hoax, when a rumor was spread around Myspace.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In March 2008, he filmed his writing and producing debut, Dance Fu, in which he also starred as the lead role. Also in 2008, Mitchell appeared in two Detroit-based stage productions, Affairs and Laundromat, the latter written by Carlos Faison and also starred comedian Buddy Lewis, Leanne "Lelee" Lyons of R&B group SWV, celebrity impersonator/stage actor Matt Macis, and vocalist and performer Lauren "Lexxi" Alexis. Mitchell was a part of G4's Attack of the Show!, playing various characters. He also has a recurring role on the PBS Kids show Curious George.
Mitchell appeared at the 2011 Comikaze Expo with several of his All That cast members,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:CbignoreTemplate:Dead YouTube link</ref> and has appeared in numerous panels of the same kind since, including at New York Comic Con in 2015, and filmed segments with them for the show's 22nd anniversary celebration on The Splat in April 2016.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mitchell guest starred on Sam & Cat as rapper Peezy B, in the episode "#PeezyB".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Mitchell was a cast member on Dan Schneider's sitcom Game Shakers, which premiered on Nickelodeon on September 12, 2015. Mitchell played the role of Double G, a rap superstar and business partner of the Game Shakers company.<ref name=EW1>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Around the same time, Mitchell also guest starred in an episode of the Adult Swim show Loiter Squad,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in an episode of TV One's Love That Girl!.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He also wrote and directed the inspirational film She Is Not My Sister, and produced several music videos.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On September 23, 2015, Mitchell appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in a skit featuring his iconic role as Ed from Good Burger. Mitchell was also reunited with his former Kenan & Kel costar Kenan Thompson, who reprised his role as "Lester Oakes, Construction Worker". They later competed against one another in an episode of the revived Nickelodeon game show Double Dare that aired in November 2018. They also teamed as executive producers for the reboot of All That which premiered in June 2019 and ran until 2020.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> Mitchell also returned as a recurring cast member.
Mitchell hosted the TV series Tails of Valor, which focused on true stories of service animals whose work has changed people's lives.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Also in 2019, Mitchell competed as a celebrity contestant on the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with his partner Witney Carson and finished in second place. Starting in December 2020, Mitchell appeared as a panelists for MTV's Ridiculousness spinoff, Deliciousness.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2022, Mitchell released a book entitled Blessed Mode: 90 Days to Level Up Your Faith, available physically, digitally, and as an audiobook.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A song titled "Blessed Mode" was later released to streaming services like Spotify and iTunes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He and wife Asia also competed in an episode of Guy's Grocery Games against Ross Mathews.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> Later that year he released the children's book, Prank Day.[1]
The same year, Mitchell would team up with Thompson once more on Saturday Night Live for the "Kenan and Kelly" sketch in the December 3, 2022, episode hosted by Keke Palmer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He also starred in the VH1 television movie All I Didn't Want For Christmas with Gabourey Sidibe, which premiered on December 7.<ref name="Don't">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In April 2025, Kel starred as Moonface Martin in OFC Creations Theatre Center's production of Anything Goes in Rochester, NY.
Personal lifeEdit
Mitchell was married to Tyisha Hampton from 1999 until their divorce in 2005.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They have two children together, a son and a daughter. Tyisha Mitchell helped create Kel Videos Live (KVL), and Ganked, which she wrote and produced. Although Mitchell's character Kel is renowned for his love for orange soda, Mitchell cited in an interview with 'People' magazine that he has never had carbonated drinks.
Mitchell married rapper Asia Lee on February 25, 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They have two children together, a daughter born in July 2017<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and a son born in October 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Essence2020">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Mitchell and Lee received an award from the Carson Black Chamber in 2016 for their show The Back House Party.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is the spokesperson for Black College Expo.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
He is a convert to Christianity.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In December 2019, he became a youth pastor at Spirit Food Christian Center in Winnetka, Los Angeles.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
FilmographyEdit
FilmEdit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Good Burger | Ed | ||
| Peoria Babylon | Beave | |||
| 1999 | Mystery Men | Invisible Boy | ||
| 2000 | The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle | Martin | ||
| 2004 | Clifford's Really Big Movie | T-Bone (voice) | ||
| 2005 | Ganked | Ricky Barry | Video | |
| 2006 | Like Mike 2: Streetball | Ray | Video | |
| 2007 | Honeydripper | Junebug | ||
| X's & O's | Covonne | |||
| 2008 | Don't Touch If You Ain't Prayed 2 | Curtis | Video | |
| 2009 | See Dick Run | Rich Jones | ||
| N.C.B.S. | Brannen | Short | ||
| 2010 | Freaknik: The Musical | Fruit Bowl Boys Frontman/Bill Cosby (voice) | TV movie | |
| 2011 | Battle of Los Angeles | Lt. Tyler Laughlin | Video | |
| B-Rock | B-Rock | Short | ||
| Dance Fu | Chicago Pulaski Jones/Pretty Eyed Willy | |||
| 2012 | She Is Not My Sister | Mr. Right | ||
| 2013 | Caught on Tape | Marlon | ||
| 2014 | First Impression | James Mason | ||
| Who Can I Run To | Javon | |||
| 2015 | Ridin' with Burgess | Lamar | Short | |
| Jingle Hit Factory: Detention | Detention Monitor Mark | Short | ||
| 2017 | Thirst | Grace | Short | |
| 2020 | Freeze | Chris | Short | |
| 2021 | Adventures in Christmasing | Darren | ||
| 2022 | All I Didn't Want for Christmas | Wolf | TV movie | |
| 2023 | Good Burger 2 | Ed | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| 2024 | All I Stole for Christmas | - | Short |
TelevisionEdit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–99 | All That | Himself/Cast Member | Main Cast: Season 1-5 |
| 1996–98 | The Steve Harvey Show | Vincent | Recurring Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 2-3 |
| 1996–00 | Kenan & Kel | Kel Kimble | Main Cast |
| 1997 | Sister, Sister | Todd | Episode: "Inherit the Twin" |
| 1998 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Kel Kimble | Episode: "Sabrina's Choice" |
| 1998–99 | Figure It Out | Himself/Panelist | Recurring Panelist: Season 2, Guest Panelist: Season 3 |
| 1999 | WWE Raw | Himself | Episode: "The End of an Era" |
| The Amanda Show | Himself | Episode: "Episode 1" | |
| Cousin Skeeter | Kel Kimble | Episode: "Hoo, I'm Wild Wild West Part: 1 & 2" | |
| 2000 | Nash Bridges | Stephen Dick Clark | Episode: "Hit and Run" |
| 2000–01 | City Guys | Malcolm | Guest Cast: Season 4-5 |
| 2000–03 | Clifford the Big Red Dog | T-Bone | Main Cast |
| 2001 | The Proud Family | Carlos (voice) | Episode: "Forbidden Date" |
| 2002 | The Nick Cannon Show | Himself | Episode: "Nick Takes Over Style" |
| 2003 | The Parkers | Freddy Fabulous | Recurring Cast: Season 4, Guest: Season 5 |
| 2004 | Dance 360 | Himself/Co-Host | Main Co-Host |
| Clifford's Puppy Days | Bill Mazer (voice) | Episode: "Promise Is a Promise, A/Share and Share Alike" | |
| Half & Half | Marlon | Episode: "The Big Not So Loyal Family Episode" | |
| 2005 | My Coolest Years | Himself | Episode: "The Rich Kids" |
| The Drop | Himself | Episode: "Episode #2.17" | |
| Complete Savages | Sid | Episode: "The Complete Savages in... 'Hot Water'" | |
| 2005–06 | One on One | Manny Sellers | Recurring Cast: Season 5 |
| 2008 | Attack of the Show! | Wayne-Bo | Episode: "Episode #1.767" |
| 2009 | Nite Tales: The Series | Marty Mac | Episode: "Ima Star" |
| 2010 | Pink Panther and Pals | Ant (voice) | Main cast |
| 2011 | Good Luck Charlie | M.C. | Episode: "Battle of the Bands" |
| 2012 | The Game | Diesel | Episode: "The Black People Episode" |
| The First Family | Shady/Swash | Recurring Cast: Season 1 | |
| Motorcity | Dutch Gordy (voice) | Main Cast | |
| 2012–15 | Wild Grinders | Jay Jay (voice) | Main Cast |
| 2013 | Sam & Cat | Peezy B | Episode: "#PeezyB" |
| 2014 | Love That Girl! | Armondo | Episode: "You Don't Have to Go Home, But..." |
| The Thundermans | Sensai Instructor | Episode: "Have An Ice Birthday" | |
| Liv & Maddie | Q-Pop | Episode: "Howl-A-Rooney" | |
| Friends of the People | Kel | Episode: "Hustle Gods" | |
| Loiter Squad | Himself | Episode: "Razor's Edge" | |
| 2015 | Laff Mobb's We Got Next | Himself | Episode: "Motivation" |
| VeggieTales in the House | Various Roles (voice) | Episode: "Cool as a Cucumber/The Rich Young Comic Ruler" | |
| The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Ed | Episode: "James Spader/Andrew Rannells/Brian Regan" | |
| 2015–16 | Da Jammies | Mike Fresh (voice) | Recurring Cast |
| 2015–19 | Game Shakers | Double G | Main Cast |
| 2016 | Slime Cup | Himself/Presenter | Main Presenter: Season 1 |
| Robot Chicken | Various Roles (voice) | Episode: "Fridge Smell" | |
| 2017 | WOTN Cleveland | Himself | Episode: "Seventeen The Cincinnati Comic Expo" |
| 90's House | Himself | Episode: "The One With the Sitcom" | |
| Henry Danger | Double G | Episode: "Danger Games" | |
| 2018 | Wild 'n Out | Himself | Episode: "All That Takeover" |
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Himself/Live Vote Host | Main Live Vote Host | |
| Double Dare | Himself/Contestant | Episode: "Team Kel vs. Team Kenan" <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> | |
| Laugh at LA | Various Roles | Recurring Cast | |
| 2019 | Tails of Valor/Best Friends Furever | Himself/Host | Main Host <ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> |
| Camp Nick | Himself | Episode: "Camp Nick Summer Fun" | |
| Dancing with the Stars | Himself/Contestant | Contestant: Season 28 | |
| Tails of Valor | Himself | Main Cast | |
| SpongeBob SquarePants | Beans McBeans (voice) | Episode: "SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout" | |
| South Side | Himself | Episode: "Mild Sauce Meatballs" | |
| 2019–20 | All That | Various | Recurring Cast: Season 11 |
| 2020 | The Funny Dance Show | Himself | Episode: "Just Dance, or at Least Try" |
| The Substitute | Himself | Episode: "Kel Mitchell" | |
| Chasing the Crown: Dreamers to Streamers | Himself | Episode: "201 & 205" | |
| Unfiltered | Himself | Episode: "This Planet is Cuckoo!" | |
| 2020–21 | Deliciousness | Himself/Panelist | Main Panelist: Season 1-2 |
| 2021 | PsBattles Live | Himself | Episode: "PsBattles Live: Michael Ian Black and Kel Mitchel" |
| 2022 | Black Love | Himself | Episode: "There Isn't One Way: Part 1" |
| Saturday Night Live | Himself | Episode: "Keke Palmer/SZA" | |
| 2022–23 | A Black Lady Sketch Show | Mr. Matthews/Gaspar | Guest Cast: Season 3-4 |
| 2023 | Celebrity Wheel of Fortune | Himself/Celebrity Contestant | Episode: "Kel Mitchell, Kim Fields and Penn Jillette" |
| Celebrity Squares | Himself | Episode: "Can't Have No Cold Hot Sauce" | |
| Hell's Kitchen | Himself | Episode: "The Pastabilities Are Endless" | |
| 2023–24 | Pictionary | Himself/Team Captain | Guest: Season 1, Recurring Team Captain: Season 2 |
| 2024 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | Himself/Contestant | Episode: "Episode #3.1" |
| After Midnight | Himself | Episode: "Episode #1.11" & "#1.79" |
TheatreEdit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Anything Goes | Moonface Martin | OFC Creations Theatre Center; Dir. Eric Vaughn Johnson |
Music videosEdit
| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Watch Me Do My Thing" | Immature feat. Smooth | Himself |
| 1997 | "All I Want" | 702 | Ed |
| 1999 | "All Star" | Smash Mouth | Invisible Boy |
| 2004 | "All Falls Down" | Kanye West feat. Syleena Johnson | Valet |
| 2012 | "Living Water" | Travis Greene | Business Man |
| 2017 | "Young Dumb & Broke" | Khalid | School Cook |
| 2019 | “Hot Shower” | Chance the Rapper feat. MadeinTYO & DaBaby | Line Cook |
Video gamesEdit
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Clifford the Big Red Dog: Learning Activities | T-Bone (voice) |
| 2002 | Clifford the Big Red Dog: Musical Memory Games | |
| 2003 | Clifford the Big Red Dog: Phonics |
WebEdit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Hotness or Hot Mess | Host; Himself | 12 episodes on the MadameNoire website and YouTube [2] |
| 2023 | Burger Tales | Host; Himself | on YouTube [3] |
AccoladesEdit
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Daytime Emmy Award | Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program | Clifford the Big Red Dog | Template:Nom |
| 2002 | Template:Nom |
DiscographyEdit
SinglesEdit
- 1995: "Chillin" (by Aftermath feat. Kel Mitchell) from All That live performance on April 1, 1995
- 1996: "Watch Me Do My Thing" (by Immature featuring Smooth and Kel Mitchell) from All That: The Album
- 1997: "We're All Dudes" (by Less Than Jake and Kel Mitchell) from the Good Burger soundtrack
- 1999: "Who Are Those Mystery Men" (by Kel Mitchell and the M.A.F.T. Emcees featuring Romaine Jones and Simbi Khali) from the Mystery Men soundtrack
- 1999: "Pedal to the Steel" (by Youngstown featuring Kel Mitchell) from Youngstown's Let's Roll
- 2015: "Kel Mitchell" (by Spec featuring Asia Lee and Kel Mitchell) from Spec Vacancy
- 2022: "Blessed Mode" (by Kel Mitchell featuring nobigdyl and Scootie Wop)
- 2023: "Go Time" (by Kel Mitchell)
- 2023: "All Dudes Remix" from Good Burger 2
- 2024: "Won’t Get Blocked" (collaboration with Rising Lab)
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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