Keke Palmer
Birthdate: Aug 26, 1993
Birthplace: Harvey, Illinois, USA
Actor-singer Keke Palmer (birthname: Lauren Keyana Palmer) has fluidly balanced her acting and singing careers, devoting much of her feature film work to voice-acting for major animated movies, including Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story spinoff, Lightyear (2022), with Taika Waititi, Chris Evans, Dales Soules, and Peter Sohn.
Soon after appearing in a local Chicago stage production of The Lion King, Keke Palmer scored her first screen credit at ten years old in Barbershop 2: Back in Business, followed in 2006 by the starring role in Doug Atchison’s Akeelah and the Bee and a member of the ensemble in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion. She joined Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, and Eva Mendes in Renny Harlin’s Cleaner (2007), and co-starred with Ice Cube in The Longshots (2008). Palmer’s many voice-acting credits in animation include Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare (2008), the two Ice Age sequels Continental Draft (2012) and Collision Course (2016), as well as Winx Club: The Secret of the Lost Kingdom (2012) and Winx Club 3D: Magical Adventure (2013).
Keke Palmer was able to combine her acting and singing chops in Todd Graff’s Gospel-styled musical, Joyful Noise (2012), with Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, and Courtney B. Vance. Palmer co-starred in Malik Vitthal’s Imperial Dreams (2014), winner of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival audience award. Palmer joined producer Queen Latifah for Jamal Hill’s ensemble drama, Brotherly Love (2015), and continued her starring involvement in movies by independent filmmakers with Christine Crokos and her Pimp (2018). Palmer gained more fame as a co-star with Jennifer Lopez in Lorene Scafaria’s crime thriller, Hustlers (2019).
A busy 2022 for Keke Palmer the movie star was led by her role as Jill in Jordan Peele’s science fiction/horror/thriller/Western, Nope, with Daniel Kaluuya and Steven Yeun; as the voice of Izzy in Lightyear; and as the title role in the slave drama (set in the 1970s!), Alice, with Common and Jonny Lee Miller. Palmer was set to co-star with Bill Murray and Seth Rogen in Aziz Ansari’s Being Mortal (2023) for Searchlight. However, production was suspended in April 2022 because of a complaint of inappropriate behavior against Murray.
Palmer starred in a voice role in Paramount Animation’s animated musical comedy, Under the Boardwalk (2023), directed and co-written by David Soren, with Palmer’s voice co-stars Michael Sera, Bobby Cannavale, Russell Brand, and John Magaro, and released by Paramount Pictures. Palmer starred with SZA in the buddy comedy, One of The Days (2025), with Vanessa Bell Calloway, Katt Williams, Lil Rey Howery, and Janelle James under Lawrence Lamont’s direction, and released by Sony Pictures Releasing via lead producer TriStar Pictures.
Keke Palmer reunited with director/writer/producer/star Aziz Ansari— after their previous project, Being Mortal, was suspended—for the comedy fantasy, Good Fortune (2025), starring Keanu Reeves (as the Angel Gabriel), Seth Rogen and Sandra Oh, and released by Lionsgate Films.
Palmer joined the colorful ensemble of director/producer Tim Story’s heist movie, The Pickup (date to be announced), co-starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Marshawn Lynch, and Andrew Dice Clay, produced by The Story Company/Davis Entertainment/Eddie Murphy Productions and released by Amazon MGM Studios.
Palmer starred in director/writer Boots Riley’s highly anticipated sci-fi comedy, I Love Boosters (date to be announced), co-starring Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield, Naomie Ackie, Eiza Gonzalez, Poppy Liu, Taylor Paige, and Will Poulter, produced primarily by Neon and Annapurna Pictures, and released by Neon.
Personal Details
Born in the Chicago southside community of Harvey, Keke Palmer was raised by teacher Sharon Palmer and father Lawrence Palmer, who works in a factory and volunteers as a Catholic deacon. Her parents, who met each other in drama school, encouraged daughter Keke’s interests in singing and acting. Palmer has identified herself as sexually and gender fluid. She reported in 2020 that she suffered from polycystic ovary syndrome. Her height is 5’ 6”.
Filmography
actor
Previous (6)
- 2025 | One of Them DaysasDreux
One of Them Days
When best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa discover Alyssa's boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.
- 2022 |
- 2022 |
- 2022 |
- 2019 |
- 2012 | Joyful NoiseasOlivia Hill
Joyful Noise
G.G. Sparrow faces off with her choir's newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill, over the group's direction as they head into a national competition.
Some Facts About Keke Palmer
Theater Landmark: Keke Palmer is not only the youngest woman to perform Cinderella on Broadway, but she was also the first Black woman to do so.
Preparation: In preparation for The Longshots (2008), Palmer trained for seven weeks with pro quarterbacks.
Try, Try Again: Determined to land the role of a spelling bee champ, Keke Palmer auditioned five times for Akeelah and the Bee until she got the part.
Recording Star: As a recording artist, Palmer has created two albums and 28 singles.
