If you are a fan of Stranger Things or Parks and Recreation, you might have noticed the striking resemblance between two of their stars: Joe Keery and Ben Schwartz. The actors, who play Steve Harrington and Jean-Ralphio Saperstein respectively, look so much alike that some fans have even speculated that they are related in real life. But is there any truth to this theory? Are Joe Keery and Ben Schwartz actually brothers, cousins, or long-lost twins? Let’s find out.
The Origin of the Theory
The theory that Joe Keery and Ben Schwartz are related started as a joke among fans of both shows. Since Stranger Things is set in the 1980s and Parks and Recreation is set in the present day, some fans suggested that Steve Harrington is actually Jean-Ralphio’s real father. This would explain their similar appearance, personality, and sense of humor. The fact that both shows are set in Indiana also added fuel to the fire.
The theory became so popular that even the actors themselves got involved. In 2016, Ben Schwartz posted a photo on Instagram with Joe Keery and captioned it “Dad and son meet because the Internet.” The same year, they also appeared together on The Late Late Show with James Corden and did a sketch where they pretended to be father and son In 2018, Ben Schwartz tweeted “Happy Father’s Day” to Joe Keery, keeping the joke alive
The Reality of the Situation
While the idea of Joe Keery and Ben Schwartz being related is a funny one, the reality is that they are not. They are not brothers, cousins, or twins. They are not even from the same state. Joe Keery was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, while Ben Schwartz was born in New York City. They have no family ties whatsoever.
According to PopBuzz, Joe Keery is of Irish and English descent, while Ben Schwartz is of Jewish descent They also have different backgrounds and careers. Joe Keery studied at The Theatre School at DePaul University and graduated in 2014. He started his acting career with roles in commercials and indie films before landing his breakthrough role in Stranger Things in 2016. He is also a musician and was a member of the psychedelic rock band Post Animal.
Ben Schwartz studied at Union College and graduated in 2003 with a double major in psychology and anthropology. He started his comedy career with improv groups like Upright Citizens Brigade and wrote sketches for shows like Saturday Night Live and The Oscars. He became known for his roles in Parks and Recreation, House of Lies, DuckTales, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Space Force. He is also an author and has written several books with Amanda McCall.
The Conclusion
So there you have it. Joe Keery and Ben Schwartz are not related in any way. They are just two actors who happen to look very similar and have a great sense of humor about it. They are friends who enjoy working together and making fun of their resemblance. They are not father and son, but they are definitely doppelgangers.
