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Kel Mitchell

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Kel Mitchell
Image of Mitchell from 2019
Mitchell in 2019
Born
Kel Johari Rice Mitchell

(1978-08-25) August 25, 1978 (age 46)[1]
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • pastor
  • rapper
  • singer
  • television personality
Years active1994–present
Known forEd in Good Burger & Good Burger 2
Kel Kimble in Kenan & Kel
Double G in Game Shakers
Spouses
  • Tyisha Mitchell
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1999; div. 2005)​
  • Asia Lee
    ​
    (m. 2012)​
Children4
Websitekelmitchell.com

Kel Johari Rice Mitchell (born August 25, 1978) is an American actor, comedian, pastor, rapper, singer, and TV host.[1][2] 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 life

Mitchell was born August 25, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois,[1] and is from the South Side.[2][3] He attended Chicago Vocational High School and took drama classes at the ETA Creative Arts Foundation.[4] He has two sisters, Kenyatta and Kyra.[5]

Career

Mitchell dressed as Ed from Good Burger at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con

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.[6]

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,[7] 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.[8] Mitchell guest starred on Sam & Cat as rapper Peezy B, in the episode "#PeezyB".[9]

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.[10] Mitchell also starred in the Cartoon Network's Loiter Squad in 2015,[11] and TV One's Love That Girl!,[12][13] as well as writing and directing the inspirational film She Is Not My Sister and several music videos.[14][15]

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.[16] 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.[17] Also in 2019, Mitchell competed as a celebrity contestant on the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars,[18] 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.[19]

In 2022, Mitchell released a book entitled Blessed Mode: 90 Days to Level Up Your Faith, available physically, digitally, and as an audiobook.[20] A song titled "Blessed Mode" was later released to streaming services like Spotify and iTunes.[21] He and wife Asia also competed in an episode of Guy's Grocery Games against Ross Mathews.[22] 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.[23] He also starred in the VH1 television movie All I Didn't Want For Christmas with Gabourey Sidibe, which premiered on December 7.[24]

Personal life

Mitchell was married to Tyisha Hampton from 1999 until their divorce in 2005.[25] 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.[26] They have two children together, a daughter born in July 2017[27] and a son born in October 2020.[28][29]

Mitchell and Lee received an award from the Carson Black Chamber in 2016 for their show The Back House Party.[30] He is the spokesperson for Black College Expo.[31]

He is a convert to Christianity.[32] In December 2019, he became a youth pastor at Spirit Food Christian Center in Winnetka, Los Angeles.[33][34][35]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1994–1999, 2019–2020 All That Various Recurring role; also executive producer (season 11)
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 Kel Kimble 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 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 Fruit Bowl Boys Frontman / Bill Cosby Voice role; television special
2010 Pink Panther and Pals Ant Main voice role
2011 Good Luck Charlie M.C. Episode: "Battle of the Bands"
2012 The Game Diesel / Darius "Blaque" Holt Episode: "The Black People Episode"
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 Robot Chicken Himself / various Voice role; episode: "Fridge Smell"
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"[36]
2019 Tails of Valor/Best Friends Furever Himself Host[37]
2019 SpongeBob SquarePants Beans McBeans / Himself Television special: "SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout"
2019 Dancing with the Stars Himself Contestant: runner-up (season 28)
2019 South Side Himself Episode: "Mild Sauce Meatballs"
2020 The Substitute Himself Episode: "Kel Mitchell"
2020 Unfiltered Himself Episode: "This Planet is Cuckoo!"
2020–2022 Deliciousness Himself Panelist
2021 Adventures in Christmasing N/A Television film
2022 Guy's Grocery Games Himself Contestant; Episode: "Comedy Couples Cookoff"
2022 Saturday Night Live Himself Episode: "Keke Palmer/SZA"
2022 All I Didn't Want For Christmas Wolf Television film[24]
2023 Hell's Kitchen Himself Episode: "The Pastabilities Are Endless"

Film

List of Kel Mitchell film credits
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
2023 Good Burger 2 Ed [38]

Web

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]

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
2019 “Hot Shower” Chance the Rapper feat. MadeinTYO & DaBaby Line Cook
2022 “Blessed Mode” Kel Mitchell feat. nobigdyl & Scootie Wop Himself
2023 “Go Time" Kel Mitchell Himself

Discography

Singles

  • 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)

References

  1. ^ a b c "Kel Mitchell". TCM Database. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Gomez, Patrick (October 28, 2015). "How All That's Kel Mitchell Overcame Drug Use and homicidal Thoughts by Finding Faith". People. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  3. ^ Lukach, Adam (June 4, 2018). "Q&A: Chicago native Kel Mitchell returns home for Nickelodeon SlimeFest". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 7, 2020. I'm from the South Side of Chicago...
  4. ^ Class Clown Chicago Tribune. July 27, 1997.
  5. ^ "Kel Mitchell Profile". Superior Pics. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  6. ^ Gideon Resnick (December 19, 2013). "Whatever Happened to Kel From Kenan & Kel—as Explained by Kel". The Atlantic. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  7. ^ "All That panel: Kel loves Orange soda". YouTube. November 6, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2013.[dead YouTube link]
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Kel's Back On Nickelodeon". HuffPost. July 22, 2013.
  10. ^ Snierson, Dan (June 26, 2015). "Kel Mitchell returns to Nickelodeon to star in 'Game Shakers'". Entertainment Weekly.
  11. ^ "Kel Mitchell to perform at Belcher". Longview News-Journal. June 14, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  12. ^ "Aww! Nickelodeon Star Kel Mitchell And His Wife Asia Lee Share How They Met and Their Baby Joy". Essence. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  13. ^ "Dancing with the Stars 2019 Cast Revealed | Dancing with the Stars". ABC. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  14. ^ Walsh, S. M. (November 25, 2019). "Kel Mitchell's Kids & Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  15. ^ Cohn, Paulette (November 4, 2019). "Exclusive: Dancing with the Stars' Kel Mitchell on Going From Low Scores to Becoming a Contender". Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "The CW And Litton Entertainment Announce Multiyear Extension For Award-Winning Saturday Morning Block "One Magnificent Morning"". Paramount Press Express. July 1, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "MTV's Ridiculousness Spinoff is Guaranteed to Make You Hungry—And Make You Laugh". November 23, 2020.
  20. ^ "Chicago native Kel Mitchell's New Book 'Blessed Mode' available now". chicagocrusader. March 10, 2022. Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  21. ^ "Kel Mitchell Releases "Blessed Mode"". thechristianbeat. March 11, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  22. ^ Kel Mitchell [@iamkelmitchell] (April 13, 2022). "So much fun!!!!! Watch tonight on @GuyFieri #grocerygames awesome time with my love @therealasialee" (Tweet). Retrieved April 13, 2022 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ "Is It True? SNL Gave Us a Kenan & Kel Reboot Sketch". Vulture. December 4, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  24. ^ a b White, Brett (December 7, 2022). "'All I Didn't Want for Christmas' VH1 Review: Stream It or Skip It?". Decider. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  25. ^ "Kel Mitchell of 'All That,' 'Kenan & Kel': Where He is Now". ABC News.
  26. ^ Williams, Nakisha (February 29, 2012). "Actor Kel Mitchell Jumps the Broom With Rapper Asia Lee". BET. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  27. ^ Aiello, McKenna (July 25, 2017). "Kel Mitchell and Wife Asia Lee Welcome a Daughter Named Wisdom". E! Online. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ Grant, Jasmine (May 26, 2020). "Kel Mitchell And Asia Lee Used This TikTok Challenge For Their Gender Reveal". Essence. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ "National College Resources Foundation". www.thecollegeexpo.org. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "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.
  33. ^ "Pastor Kel Mitchell". November 9, 2019.
  34. ^ Thompson, Avery (September 16, 2019). "Kel Mitchell: 5 Things To Know About The '90s Star Hitting The Dance Floor For 'DWTS' Season 28".
  35. ^ Daniels, Karu F. (December 9, 2019). "'Keenan & Kel' star Kel Mitchell is now a licensed pastor". New York Daily News.
  36. ^ Lawrence, Derek (June 25, 2018). "Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell reuniting to compete on special episode of Double Dare". Entertainment Weekly.
  37. ^ ""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.
  38. ^ "Filming of 'Good Burger 2' begins at old Friendly's in North Providence". ABC6. May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
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