Keegan-Michael Key recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, showcasing his many talents and discussing his role in the new family musical, Wonka. Key revealed that he had the pleasure of being friends with the late Norman Leer, a legendary figure in comedy. He reminisced about meeting Leer at an awards ceremony and how they bonded over Jewish humor.
In Wonka, Key played the role of a differently-abled Santa Claus, which he considered to be the role of a lifetime. He shared that he and his wife, El, are busy with holiday shopping, focusing on gifts for their nephews. Key also mentioned that they have released a book this year, a history of sketch comedy, which has been well-received by fans.
During their conversation, Kimmel congratulated Key on the success of his beloved football team, the Detroit Lions. Key expressed immense passion for his team and revealed that they currently have the best record they’ve had in 60 years. He even shared a story about meeting his childhood idol, Barry Sanders, at a game.
Key also showcased his impressive talent for celebrity impressions, including his recent British accent inspired by actor Hugh Grant. He jokingly shared that Grant thought he sounded like him having a stroke. Additionally, Key discussed his experience doing a radio show with basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, where they played a game of guessing athlete names.
The conversation took an amusing turn when Kimmel asked Key about his early job working at a Renaissance Festival. Key explained that he performed in a sword-fighting comedy show, complete with jumps and jokes. He also mentioned the comical incident when the festival started selling metal swords while serving alcohol, leading to a brief ban on swords due to safety concerns.
Overall, Keegan-Michael Key‘s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live was engaging, entertaining, and filled with lively anecdotes. Fans can catch Keegan in Wonka, which is now showing in theaters.
