Kel Mitchell
Kel Johari Rice Mitchell (born August 25, 1978)[1] is an American actor, stand-up comedian, musician, singer, and rapper.[2] He is known for his work as a regular cast member of the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series All That, as the Invisible Boy in the 1999 Ben Stiller and Geoffrey Rush superhero satire film Mystery Men, his portrayal of Kel Kimble on the Nickelodeon sitcom Kenan & Kel, his role as Ed in the film and All That sketch Good Burger, as the voice of Dutch in the Disney XD cartoon Motorcity, and as Ray in the 2006 sequel to Like Mike, Like Mike 2: Streetball. He also starred as Double G on the Nickelodeon series Game Shakers. Mitchell was on Dancing with the Stars on the 28th season and placed 2nd alongside his partner Witney Carson.
Kel Mitchell | |
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Mitchell in 2019 | |
Born | Kel Johari Rice Mitchell August 25, 1978 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1994–present |
Spouse(s) |
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Children | 4 |
Website | kelmitchell |
Career
Kel Mitchell, along with Kenan Thompson, both started their acting career both at the age of 15, in the Nickelodeon comedy sketch series, All That, from 1994 to 1999. They both also starred in the series Kenan & Kel from 1996 to 2000. They also starred in the 1997 film, Good Burger, which grew out of one of his sketches from All That. The duo also appeared together in an episode of Sister, Sister with Tia and Tamera Mowry, four episodes of The Steve Harvey Show, and they appeared 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 luggage collecting 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 new series Take the Cake. Some of his other credits include Honeydripper and Mystery Men.
He auditioned for Saturday Night Live in 2003, but lost to his Kenan & Kel co-star Kenan Thompson.
Mitchell was the subject of a death hoax in 2006, when a rumor was spread around Myspace.[3]
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 accomplished 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,[4] 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.[5]
Mitchell made an appearance on the Nickelodeon show Sam & Cat as a rap artist named Peezy B, in the episode titled "#Peezy B".[6]
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 rap-superstar and business partner of the Game Shakers company, Double G.[7]
Mitchell also starred in the Cartoon Network's Loiter Squad in 2015[8] and TV One's Love That Girl,[9][10] as well as writing and directing the inspirational film, She Is Not My Sister and several music videos.[11][12]
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 co-star 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.[13] Mitchell is also a recurring cast member.
Mitchell is the host of the heart-warming TV series Tails of Valor, which takes a look at true stories of service animals working to change people's lives.[14]
Also in 2019, Mitchell competed as a celebrity contestant on the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars,[15] and finished in second place.
In December, he became a Youth Pastor at Spirit Food Christian Center in Winnetka, Los Angeles.[16][17][18]
In November 2020, it was announced that Mitchell would be one of the panelist for MTV's Ridiculousness spinoff, Deliciousness.[19]
Personal life
Mitchell was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up on the South Side.[20] He attended Chicago Vocational High School and took drama classes at the ETA Creative Arts Foundation.[21] Mitchell also has two sisters, Kenyatta and Kyra.[22] He is a convert to Christianity.[23]
He was married to Tyisha Hampton-Mitchell for six years until their divorce in 2005. Mitchell and Hampton have two children together, a son born in 1999 and a daughter born in 2002.[24] Mitchell married rapper Asia Lee on February 25, 2012.[25] The two have a daughter together, born in July 2017.[26] In May 2020, Mitchell and Lee announced they were expecting their second child.[24] Mitchell welcomed his fourth child, his second with Lee, in October 2020.[27]
Mitchell and his wife received an award from the Carson Black Chamber in 2016 for their show The Back House Party.[28] He is the spokesperson for Black College Expo.[29]
Filmography
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1994–1999 | All That | various | Main role (seasons 1–5) |
1996–2000 | Kenan & Kel | Kel Kimble | Lead role |
1996–1998 | The Steve Harvey Show | Vincent | 4 episodes |
1997 | Sister, Sister | Todd | Episode: "Inherit the Twin" |
1998 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Himself | Episode: "Sabrina's Choice" |
1998–1999 | Figure It Out | Himself | Panelist |
1999 | The Amanda Show | Himself | Episode: "Episode 1" |
1999 | Cousin Skeeter | Kel Kimble | Episode: "Hoo, I'm Wild Wild West" (Parts 1 & 2) |
2000 | Two Heads Are Better Than None | Kel Kimble | Television film |
2000 | Nash Bridges | Stephen Dick Clark | Episode: "Hit and Run" |
2000–2003 | Clifford the Big Red Dog | T-Bone | Main voice role Nominated – Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer In An Animated Program (2001, 2002) |
2000–2001 | City Guys | Malcolm | Episodes: "Makin' Up is Hard to Do", "Dances with Malcolm" |
2001 | The Proud Family | Carlos | Voice role; episode: "Forbidden Date" |
2002 | The Nick Cannon Show | Himself | Episode: "Nick Takes Over Style" |
2003 | The Parkers | Freddy | 3 episodes |
2004 | Dance 360 | Himself | Co-host |
2004 | Clifford's Puppy Days | Bill Mazer | Voice role, 2 episodes |
2004 | Half & Half | Marlon | Episode: "The Big Not So Loyal Family Episode" |
2005 | My Coolest Years | Himself | Episode: "The Rich Kids" |
2005 | Celebrity Autobiography: In Their Own Words | Himself | Television special |
2005 | All That 10th Anniversary Reunion Special | Himself | Television special |
2005 | Complete Savages | Sid | Episode: "The Complete Savages in... 'Hot Water'" |
2005–2006 | One on One | Manny Sellers | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
2007 | Polly and Marie | Kevin | Television film |
2008 | Attack of the Show! | Wayne-Bo | Episode #1.767 |
2009 | Nite Tales: The Series | Marty Mac | Episode: "Ima Star" |
2010 | Freaknik: The Musical | Various characters | Voice role; television special |
2010 | Pink Panther and Pals | Ant | Main voice role |
2012 | Good Luck Charlie | M.C. | Episode: "Battle of the Bands" |
2012 | Motorcity | Dutch | Main voice role |
2012 | The First Family | Shady/Swash | Episodes: "The First Makeover", "The First Embarrassment" |
2012–2015 | Wild Grinders | Jay Jay | Main voice role |
2013 | Sam & Cat | Peezy B | Episode: "#PeezyB" |
2014 | The Thundermans | Sensei | Episode: "Have An Ice Birthday" |
2014 | Friends of the People | Kel | Episode: "Hustle Gods" |
2014 | Liv & Maddie | Q pop | Episode: "Howl-A-Rooney" |
2015 | Ridin' with Burgess | Lamar | Voice role; episode: Pilot |
2015 | VeggieTales in the House | Tiny Pea and Mr. Pea | Voice role |
2015–2019 | Game Shakers | Double G | Main role |
2016 | Double Dare Anniversary Special | Himself | Contestant in first game filmed at San Diego Comic-Con |
2017 | Henry Danger | Double G | Crossover special: "Danger Games" |
2017 | 90's House | Himself | Episode: "The One With the Sitcom" |
2018 | Wild 'N Out | Himself | Episode: "All That Takeover" |
2018 | Double Dare | Himself | Contestant; episode: "Team Kel vs. Team Kenan"[30] |
2019 | Tails of Valor/Best Friends Furever | Himself | Host[31] |
2019–present | All That | various | Recurring role; also executive producer (season 11) |
2019 | SpongeBob SquarePants | Beans McBeans / Himself | Television special: "SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout" |
2019 | Dancing with the Stars | Himself | Runner-up (season 28) |
2020 | The Substitute | Himself | Episode: "Kel Mitchell" |
2020 | Unfiltered | Himself | Episode: "This Planet is Cuckoo!" |
2020 | Deliciousness | Himself | Panelist |
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1997 | Good Burger | Ed | |
1999 | Mystery Men | Invisible Boy | |
2000 | The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle | Martin | |
2004 | Kel Videos Live – This Face Belongs on the Tube | Himself | Direct-to-video film |
2004 | Kel Videos Live – Is That the Mitchell's Boy? | Himself | Direct-to-video film |
2004 | Clifford's Really Big Movie | T-Bone | Voice role |
2005 | Ganked | Ricky Barry | Direct-to-video film |
2006 | Like Mike 2: Streetball | Ray | Direct-to-video film |
2006 | Where Is Love Waiting | Tony | |
2007 | Honeydripper | Junebug | |
2008 | Don't Touch If You Ain't Prayed 2 | Curtis | Direct-to-video film |
2009 | N.C.B.S. | Brannen | |
2009 | See Dick Run | Rich Jones | |
2011 | Dance Fu | Chicago Pulaski Jones/Pretty Eyed Willy | Direct-to-video film; also co-writer and co-producer |
2011 | Battle of Los Angeles | Lt. Tyler Laughlin | Direct-to-video film |
2013 | Caught on Tape | Marlon |
Music videos
Year | Title | Artist | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | "Watch Me Do My Thing" | Immature | Performed a few verses on the song, along with Smooth | |
1999 | "All Star" | Smash Mouth | Song was Featured in Mystery Men in which Mitchell appeared | |
2004 | "All Falls Down" | Kanye West | Cameo Appearance | |
2017 | "Young Dumb & Broke" | Khalid | Cook |
Discography
Singles
- Source:[32]
- 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
References
- "Kel Mitchell Biography (1978–)". film reference. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
- Gomez, Patrick (October 28, 2015). "How All That's Kel Mitchell Overcame Drug Use and homicidal Thoughts by Finding Faith". People. People. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- Gideon Resnick (December 19, 2013). "Whatever Happened to Kel From Kenan & Kel—as Explained by Kel". The Atlantic. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- "All That panel: Kel loves Orange soda". YouTube. November 6, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- Harnick, Chris (March 23, 2016). "An All That Reunion Is Coming to The Splat—This Is Vital Information for Your Everyday Life". E! Online. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- "Kel's Back On Nickelodeon". HuffPost. July 22, 2013.
- Snierson, Dan (June 26, 2015). "Kel Mitchell returns to Nickelodeon to star in 'Game Shakers'". Entertainment Weekly.
- "Kel Mitchell to perform at Belcher". Longview News-Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- "Aww! Nickelodeon Star Kel Mitchell And His Wife Asia Lee Share How They Met and Their Baby Joy". Essence. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- "Dancing with the Stars 2019 Cast Revealed | Dancing with the Stars". ABC. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- Walsh, S. M. (November 25, 2019). "Kel Mitchell's Kids & Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- Cohn, Paulette (November 4, 2019). "Exclusive: Dancing with the Stars' Kel Mitchell on Going From Low Scores to Becoming a Contender". Parade. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
- Mitchell, Kel [@iamkelmitchell] (February 21, 2019). "It's the truth!! #AllThat is back!! Get ready! Get Set! My bro @kenanthompson and I are about to take this to a whole new level! Now that's All That! #blessedlife #Nickelodeon #kenanandkel #teamJesus #executiveproducers #allthatisback 🤯💯🔥🙏🏾💪🏾" (Tweet). Retrieved February 26, 2019 – via Twitter.
- About Tails of Valor on CBS All Access, retrieved January 8, 2020
- Thorbecke, Catherine (August 21, 2019). "Dancing With the Stars 2019: Hannah Brown, Karamo Brown, Lamar Odom and more to compete on new season". Good Morning America. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
- "Pastor Kel Mitchell". November 9, 2019.
- Thompson, Avery (September 16, 2019). "Kel Mitchell: 5 Things To Know About The '90s Star Hitting The Dance Floor For 'DWTS' Season 28".
- Daniels, Karu F. (December 9, 2019). "'Keenan & Kel' star Kel Mitchell is now a licensed pastor". New York Daily News.
- https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1211679/mtvs-ridiculousness-spinoff-is-guaranteed-to-make-you-hungry-and-make-you-laugh
- Lukach, Adam (June 4, 2018). "Q&A: Chicago native Kel Mitchell returns home for Nickelodeon SlimeFest". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
I'm from the South Side of Chicago...
- Class Clown Chicago Tribune. 27 July 1997.
- "Kel Mitchell Profile". Superior Pics. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
- "My Testimony – The Official Website of Kel Mitchell". Kelmitchell.net. February 16, 2013. Archived from the original on March 23, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- Grant, Jasmine (May 26, 2020). "Kel Mitchell And Asia Lee Used This TikTok Challenge For Their Gender Reveal". Essence. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- Williams, Nakisha (February 29, 2012). "Actor Kel Mitchell Jumps the Broom With Rapper Asia Lee". BET. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- Aiello, McKenna (July 25, 2017). "Kel Mitchell and Wife Asia Lee Welcome a Daughter Named Wisdom". E! Online. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- Juneau, Jen (November 2, 2020). "All That and a Baby Boy! Kel Mitchell and Wife Asia Lee Welcome Son Honor Johari-Rice". People. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- Montgomery, Daniel (November 18, 2019). "'Dancing with the Stars' season 28 cast photos: Who are the celebs competing for 'DWTS' Mirror Ball Trophy?". GoldDerby. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- "National College Resources Foundation". www.thecollegeexpo.org. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
- Lawrence, Derek (June 25, 2018). "Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell reuniting to compete on special episode of Double Dare". Entertainment Weekly.
- ""CBS DREAM TEAM… IT'S EPIC!" ADDS NEW SERIES TO ITS SATURDAY MORNING LINEUP". CBS Press Express (Press release). CBS. December 5, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- "Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved April 27, 2013.