In 1991, the then 12-year-old Jordan Peele watched Whoopi Goldberg accept her Oscar for Ghost. Seeing a black woman in a comedic role receive that honor left a lasting impression on him and led him to the realization that there wasn’t a ceiling for people like him. Jordan felt that it’s all about what he wants to do and what he can do. With that dream growing in his heart, he received 4 Oscar nominations 27 years later.
Jordan Peele is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and director. His 2017 directorial debut in the horror/satire, Get Out was greatly recognized in a way he never imagined.
Jordan Peele Bio (Age)
Jordan was raised on Manhattan’s Upper West Side after his birth in New York City on 21 February 1979. He attended the Calhoun School in Manhattan and went on to Sarah Lawrence College but would later drop out after two years to form a comedy duo with his college roommate, Rebecca Drysdale (future Key & Peele writer).
He was intent on becoming a puppeteer while in college but performing improv while at school led him to pursue a career in comedy instead. Jordan started his career doing improvisational comedy and found success with groups like Boom Chicago, based in Amsterdam and Chicago’s Second City before he moved to television.
He was on MADTV as a cast member for five seasons (2009-2013) and was loved because of his talent for parodying celebrities among who are James Brown, Ja Rule, Morgan Freeman, Montel Williams. Key & Peele would be birthed after he met his future partner-in-comedy Keegan Michael Key on the set of the show.
Jordan became more prominent when he started starring in the Comedy Central sketch series Key & Peele from 2012-2015. His other works include a recurring role on the Adult Swim Show Children’s Hospital, Keanu, Wanderlust (2012), Fargo (2014).
Jordan Peele has made comedic contributions in the entertainment world in no small measure and we look forward to prospects of new projects in the comic arena.
How Much is Jordan Peele Worth?
Jordan has an estimated net worth of $12 million. His modern-day classic, Get Out which cost $4.5 million to make has garnered over $177 million at the box office making it one of the most profitable films of 2017.
Jordan Peele’s Family: Parents, Wife
He was born to an African American father, Hayward Peele, and was raised by his single mother, Lucinda Williams, a white woman. His father wasn’t around much as he left when Jordan was only 6. His father later died in 1999. The little time he spent together with his father always brought him fond memories.
Jordan began dating American actress, comedienne, and star of television’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Chelsea Pretti (a white lady) in 2013. He connected with Chelsea on Twitter after he looked up some videos of her and watched a web series she made.
He first fell in love with her when she appeared as a guest with her co-writers on Parks and Recreation on a podcast episode of Comedy Bang! Bang!. Jordan told his friend then that there’s a ten percent chance he will marry her even before they ever met.
The duo got engaged in November 2015, and Chelsea announced their elopement in April 2016. According to her Instagram, their wedding was witnessed by their dog.
The comedic couple welcomed their first child, a son, Beaumont Gino Peele, on July 1, 2017.
Jordan’s Awards and Nominations
The reward for being good at what one does is wide acclamation, numerous accolades and recognition not to mention the fat pocket that comes with it. Most of Jordan Peele’s works have garnered numerous nominations and won several awards. Get Out, his directorial debut has amassed the most awards and nominations. His list of nominations include:
In 2018 for Best Director:
Academy Award.
Empire Award.
Critics’ Choice Movie Award.
Independent Spirit Award.
National Society of Film Critics Award.
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Award.
Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film.
For Best Original Screenplay in 2018:
Academy Award.
BAFTA Award.
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay.
Satellite Award.
AACTA International Award.
Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay.
The others include:
Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature.
Academy Award for Best Picture.
Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture.
London Film Critics’ Circle Award for Film writer of the Year.
2017 Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Feature Film.
2017 Austin Film Critics Association for Best Director.
Get Out also scored an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, for the star actor, .
The film has also won many awards which include
In 2017:
Gotham Independent Film Awards for Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award.
Gotham Independent Film Awards for Best Screenplay
National Board of Review for Best Directorial Debut
British Independent Film Award for Best International Independent Film
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best First Film
In 2018:
Critics Choice Movie Award for Best Screenplay
Satellite Award for Best Director
Writers Guild of America award for the Original Screenplay.
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture.
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture.
Producers Guild of America Award – Stanley Kramer Award.
Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director
His other work that has been recognized is his comedy sketch series, Key & Peele, for;
2016 Writers Guild of America Award (WGAA) for Television: Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series.
2013 WGAA for Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) – Series.
2016 TV Land Icon Awards Comedy Duo Icon (won).
2016 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series (won).
2014, 2016 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.
2016 Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.
2016 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Height
The award-winning director has a height of 1.75 m (5′ 9″).
