Keith Powell facts for kids

Keith Powell (born August 12, 1979) is an American actor, writer, and director. He is best known for playing James "Toofer" Spurlock on the popular TV show 30 Rock. He also created and starred in his own award-winning web series called Keith Broke His Leg.

Early Life and Schooling

Keith Powell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His family later moved to California. He went to St. Mark's High School in Wilmington, Delaware.

After high school, Powell studied acting at New York University's famous Tisch School of the Arts. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2001. This degree helped him start his career in acting and directing.

Career in TV and Film

Powell's career began in theater. He acted in plays like Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth in different cities. He also directed several plays and worked with a professional touring company that used theater to teach about social issues.

Breakthrough with '30 Rock'

In 2007, Powell got his big break on the TV show 30 Rock. He played the character James "Toofer" Spurlock, a writer for a comedy show. At first, his role was small, but he did so well that he became a main character on the show.

While on 30 Rock, Powell also worked on other projects. In 2009, he appeared in the movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian as a Tuskegee Airman.

Creating His Own Shows

Powell is also a talented creator. In 2008, he made a web series called Keith Powell Directs a Play. A web series is a show that you can watch online.

In 2015, he created another web series called Keith Broke His Leg. He wrote, directed, and starred in the show. It was a big success and won several awards, including Best Comedy Series.

Recent Acting and Directing

Powell has continued to act in many TV shows. He had a recurring role on the show About a Boy and appeared in The Newsroom.

He has also become a successful television director. He has directed episodes for popular shows like Superstore, Dickinson, and Interview with the Vampire. Directing allows him to use his skills to guide other actors and shape the story of an episode.

Personal Life

In 2013, Keith Powell married Jill Knox, who is a visual artist. The couple has faced challenges, including the sad loss of a child.

They now have two children, a daughter born in 2019 and a son born in 2021. The family lives together in Los Angeles.

Selected Work

Here are some of the movies and TV shows Keith Powell has been a part of.

Acting Roles

• 30 Rock (2006–2013) - as James "Toofer" Spurlock
• Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) - as a Tuskegee Airman
• About a Boy (2014–2015) - as Richard
• Odd Squad: The Movie (2016) - as Weird Keith
• Connecting (2020) - as Garrett
• This Is Us (2020-2021) - as Dr. Vance
• Shrinking (2023) - as Mark

Directing Work

• Keith Broke His Leg (2015)
• Superstore (2018)
• Dickinson (2021)
• Single ... Female (2022)
• Interview with the Vampire (2022)
• Young Rock (2023)
• Will Trent (2024)