Jordan Peele

Intended to be a puppeteer in college, but dropped out to study comedy, including a stint with Boom Chicago in Amsterdam; while on a cast swap with Second City in Chicago in 2002, met his future comedic partner Keegan-Michael Key. Beforethe premiere of Key& Peele on Comedy Central in 2012,overlapped with Keyfor several seasonsin the cast ofMADtv. Unsuccessfully auditioned to play Barack Obama on Saturday Night Live in 2008 (the role went to Fred Armisen), but wouldearn acclaimfor impersonating the president on Key & Peelein 2012. Was flattered to learn thatObama was a fan of his impression-and of Key's portrayal ofLuther, the president's"anger translator"-and in the spring of 2012 they had the opportunity to meet him in Los Angeles. Like Key, has a black father and a white mother, a biracial status that provides a uniquecultural sensitivityand informs much of their comedy.