Kel Mitchell

Kel Johari Rice Mitchell Bio

Kel Johari Rice Mitchell (born August 25, 1978) is an American actor, comedian, rapper, singer, pastor, and television personality. He began his career as one of the original cast members of Nickelodeon’s All That, where his partnership with Kenan Thompson helped propel the show to popularity. Mitchell achieved mainstream fame for his role as Ed in Good Burger and for co-starring with Thompson on Kenan & Kel. He later led the Nickelodeon series Game Shakers as Double G and made notable appearances in Sam & Cat. Mitchell has earned Emmy nominations for his work on Clifford the Big Red Dog, reflecting a diverse, multi-decade career in family entertainment.

Early Life and Background

Kel Johari Rice Mitchell was born on August 25, 1978, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago and attended Chicago Vocational High School. During his formative years, Mitchell took drama classes at the ETA Creative Arts Foundation, which helped develop his performing abilities. He has two sisters named Kenyatta and Kyra, who shared his upbringing in the Windy City.

Path to Celebrity

Mitchell started his acting career alongside Kenan Thompson at the age of 15. Both young performers were selected as original cast members of Nickelodeon’s sketch comedy series All That, which ran from 1994 to 1999. On the show, Mitchell was frequently paired with Thompson, and their natural chemistry quickly became a highlight for viewers. Their partnership on All That laid the foundation for their future collaborations in television and film.

Kel Johari Rice Mitchell Career

Early Career (1994–2000)

During his time on All That, Mitchell’s character Ed became so popular that it was expanded into a full-length feature film. The teen comedy Good Burger, loosely based on the All That sketch, was released in 1997 and starred Mitchell and Thompson in their respective roles. Following the success of Good Burger, Mitchell and Thompson co-starred together on the Nickelodeon sitcom Kenan & Kel from 1996 to 2000. The series became a beloved staple of 1990s children’s programming and further cemented Mitchell’s status as a rising star in family entertainment.

Breakthrough (2000–2010)

While continuing his work with Kenan Thompson, Mitchell expanded into voice acting. He provided the voice of T-Bone, a mild-mannered and playful dog, on the children’s animated series Clifford the Big Red Dog alongside John Ritter, from 2000 to 2003. His performance earned him two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program in 2000 and 2003. Mitchell also co-hosted the TV series Dance 360 with Freddo Starr for one season and portrayed Manny Sellers on the sitcom One on One from 2005 to 2006.

In 2008, Mitchell embarked on his writing and producing debut with Dance Fu, in which he starred as the lead character. That same year, he appeared in two Detroit-based stage productions titled Affairs and Laundromat. Mitchell also contributed to various television programs, including guest appearances on Mystery Men, Honeydripper, and the 2004 Kanye West music video All Falls Down where he played a valet. He maintained a recurring role on the PBS Kids show Curious George and was a cast member on G4’s Attack of the Show!, performing in various comedic segments.

Continued Success (2010–2020)

Mitchell returned to Nickelodeon in 2013 when he guest-starred on Sam & Cat as rapper Peezy B. He later became a main cast member on Dan Schneider’s sitcom Game Shakers, which premiered on Nickelodeon in September 2015. On the show, Mitchell played Double G, a rap superstar and business partner in the Game Shakers company, a role he portrayed until the series concluded in 2019. Around that time, he also appeared in episodes of the Adult Swim show Loiter Squad and TV One’s Love That Girl!

In September 2015, Mitchell appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in a sketch featuring his iconic Ed character from Good Burger. He reunited with Kenan Thompson on the revived Nickelodeon game show Double Dare in November 2018, and the two later served as executive producers for the reboot of All That, which premiered in June 2019. Mitchell also returned as a recurring cast member on the revived series.

Mitchell competed as a celebrity contestant on the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2019, pairing with professional dancer Witney Carson. He delivered strong performances throughout the competition and finished in second place. He subsequently joined the panel of MTV’s Ridiculousness spin-off series Deliciousess starting in December 2020. Additionally, Mitchell hosted the TV series Tails of Valor, which highlighted true stories of service animals whose work changed people’s lives.

Notable Works and Milestones

Throughout his career, Mitchell has demonstrated versatility across multiple entertainment formats. His roles on All That, Kenan & Kel, and Good Burger defined a generation of children’s programming in the 1990s. His voice work on Clifford the Big Red Dog showcased his ability to connect with audiences through animation, while Game Shakers demonstrated his continued relevance in the streaming era. His Dancing with the Stars appearance introduced him to a broader adult audience, and his executive producer credits on the All That reboot positioned him as a mentor figure for the next generation of performers.

Kel Johari Rice Mitchell Award Nominations

Kel Johari Rice Mitchell has received recognition from the television industry through multiple award nominations. He earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his work on Clifford the Big Red Dog, receiving nominations in both 2000 and 2003 for his portrayal of T-Bone. These nominations highlighted his talent in bringing animated characters to life and demonstrated his impact on children’s programming.

Kel Johari Rice Mitchell Awards Won

While Mitchell has received multiple Emmy nominations for his work in animation, his most significant award recognition came alongside his wife Asia Lee. In 2016, Mitchell and Lee received an award from the Carson Black Chamber for their collaborative work on The Back House Party, recognizing their contributions to entertainment and community engagement.

Kel Johari Rice Mitchell Family

Mitchell has built a family with his wife Asia Lee, a rapper whom he married on February 25, 2012. Together, they have two children, a daughter born in July 2017 and a son born in October 2020. Prior to his marriage to Lee, Mitchell was married to Tyisha Hampton from 1999 until their divorce in 2005. From that marriage, Mitchell has two children, a son and a daughter. Tyisha Mitchell contributed to creative projects including Kel Videos Live and Ganked, the latter of which she wrote and produced. Mitchell has two sisters named Kenyatta and Kyra.

Personal Life

Beyond his entertainment career, Kel Johari Rice Mitchell has dedicated himself to faith-based initiatives and community service. He is a convert to Christianity and in December 2019 became a youth pastor at Spirit Food Christian Center in Winnetka, Los Angeles. Mitchell has also published inspirational works, releasing the book Blessed Mode: 90 Days to Level Up Your Faith in 2022, available in physical, digital, and audiobook formats. That same year, he released a children’s book titled Prank Day and a corresponding song titled Blessed Mode on streaming platforms. Mitchell serves as the spokesperson for Black College Expo, supporting educational opportunities for students. He and his wife Asia Lee have appeared together on television, including competing as a team on an episode of Guy’s Grocery Games against Ross Mathews.