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“Kids are honest — they’ll tell you whether you’re funny or not. And [Nickelodeon’s] a great network. I’ve been around them for years, so it’s fun to be back. And then also to be working with [producer] Dan [Schneider] again, because it’s one of those dream-come-true roles. I also rap and dance and sing myself, so with this character, I get to do all those things at once.” Kel Mitchell made it big in the late 1990s as half of the hit television series Kenan & Kel. Over the two decades since, Mitchell has continued to pad his resume with everything from major motion picture roles to voiceover work to a second-place finish on the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars. All the while, he’s been padding his bank account: The actor, comedian and musician has a reported net worth of between $2 million and $3.75 million. 

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Most people are familiar with Kel Mitchell from his popular role as half of Nickelodeon’s dynamic comic duo, Kenan & Kel. But Mitchell’s career comprises much more than that, and he shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Here’s a closer look at the career of this beloved actor, comedian, musician, singer and rapper.

Becoming All That’s Kel

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Kel Johari Rice Mitchell was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 25, 1978. He became involved in the performing arts at a young age, and participated in many theater productions while growing up. It was during a show that he was spotted by a Nickelodeon talent scout. The rest is television history: He auditioned for and was cast on the long-running Nickelodeon show, All That, alongside his frequent co-star Kenan Thompson. Kenan & Kel came shortly after, followed by many other television credits, including Sister Sister, The Steve Harvey Show, One on One, and Take the Cake. 

Another career highlight for Mitchell? Being nominated for multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his portrayal of T-Bone on the children’s television program, Clifford the Big Red Dog. Mitchell also later returned to Nickelodeon with the show, Game Shakers. Additionally, he has several major motion pictures on his resume, including Good Burger, Mystery Men, Like Mike 2: Streetball, Ganked, See Dick Run, and many others.  

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Beyond All That

While Mitchell’s career has included many high points over the years, it's had its share of low points, as well. These included being passed over for a role on Saturday Night Life. Making the rejection even harder to take? His former partner, Kenan Thomas, got the part.

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Currently, however, Mitchell’s career appears to be on the upswing with the 2019 revival of All That. While the variety show boasts an entirely new staff of wacky youngsters, Mitchell is an executive producer alongside Thompson and others. He's also slated to guest star. While the show's critical reception was spotty, it did well enough for Nickelodeon to double its order for the show adding 13 episodes to the season for a total of 26 total episodes. 

Most recently, Mitchell won the hearts of millions of new viewers with his appearance in 2019 on Dancing With the Stars. Not only did he finish in second place, but he was adored by fans, and also earned rave reviews from his dance partner, Witney Carson. “He’s such an incredible, positive person. I think people see him as already this funny, positive guy, but he’s really like that in person and he’s just so uplifting,” she said.

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In addition to merely enjoying the experience, Mitchell had another reason to be happy about appearing on Dancing with the Stars: The money. According to Variety, contestants are guaranteed to receive between $125,000 and $295,000 for their work on the show. 

Mitchell is relatively tight-lipped about how he spends his fortune, and information about his personal finances is limited at best. Details about his house, choice of car, and spending habits are few and far between. However, we do know that his is philanthropic and has been involved with many different causes including the Boys & Girls Club and the National Center for Child Safety and Awareness.

While it's not entirely clear what the future will hold for Kel Mitchell, it does look bright. Given his positive reception on Dancing with the Stars and the momentum it might generate, he seems positioned for a major career comeback -- and to amplify his personal fortune in the process.