Keegan-Michael Key Finds His Biological Mother

[@gaillewis5472]

I think he had the best response for his birth mother I have ever heard. I am floored and humbled.

[@mamemckee2190]

'You chose to do a selfless thing." Not many moms who made this brutal decision have heard those words. Thanks for saying them out loud, KMK.

[@sharondianneb]

I said the very same thing to my bio mom when I met her . We had many great years together ( found her when i was 31 she passed when I was 50 ) RiP Momma Dean 🙏🏼🌼💗

[@neldabradley8824]

As an adoptive mom, this is a sentiment I have tried to share with my daughters.

[@alisonlevity]

It's not selfless, there is an innocent baby involved.

[@gabriellesmith5661]

@@alisonlevity what he means by a selfless act is that, she wanted to keep him but didn’t have the means. She put her own selfish wants and/or needs aside to do what was best for her baby (giving him opportunities outside of her own life). Selfless is referring to the opposite of selfish in this instance rather than referring to number of people. Of course giving up a baby would never feel selfless, I imagine it is something you never forgive yourself for, so this statement coming from the son she gave up must be a soothing balm to her soul. It really shows his immensely kind nature and heart to find her and bring her solace like that 😄

[@sharondianneb]

@@alisonlevity it absolutely can be selfless. & Is the majority of the time.

[@sophiapetrillo3008]

Wow. I’m adopted and his assessment is so spot on but I never realized the correlation to adoption until literally right now. Or at least never heard anyone else say it just like that. I’m also very attuned to everyone else, can sometimes be too much of a people pleaser, I majored in Theatre etc etc. I had the pleasure of very briefly meeting Keegan in Chicago & never knew we had this in common. He was such a nice person then & it seems he still is now.

[@Leelz247]

Wow, I didn't even know he was adopted. Love Keegan.

[@fieryheadedgirl]

Gosh, he's so lovely. Talented (excessively), handsome... and also so damn lovely!

[@iamaku09]

can't believe he is 50. ageing like wine

[@mikemasiello5965]

He's an absolute sweetheart

[@Vejur9000]

He’s a combination of intellect, creativity, handsome and funny. Ughhh!

[@charlotteziggy8353]

Really??????

[@Swagxy]

@Lucy Skye So you don't think he is handsome or..

[@yankeeladee02]

Being adopted @ 2.5 years old, what Keegan is describing is a very real feeling… The abandonment feeling and making people happy/laugh. I was voted The Wittiest in 8th grade and 12th grade. My birth mother found me (and my sister) when I was 29 and I finally had the courage to meet her at 30 years of age. I was also fortunate to meet my other maternal siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins I’d never met. Mostly, I was blessed to be raised by guardian angels… My parents. I never knew anyone else that molded themselves in this way. Makes sense… He’s truly a delight in ALL that he does. Loved his work for years❣️

[@Kirsten_is_cursed10]

Woah, I was adopted as a baby and won “funniest girl” in 7th and 8th grades, I wonder if there’s something about coming of age. Just turned 30 so fingers crossed I’ll be ready to meet mine some day. I had no idea this was a shared experience.

[@yankeeladee02]

@@Kirsten_is_cursed10 - You too! I wish you well on your journey. My journey isn’t complete, as I’m hoping to also one day have peace by meeting the relatives on my biological father’s side as well. That hasn’t gone as well, but that’s a long story, the short version being that the biological father is trying to hide his philandering past, which requires my identity to be kept a secret. Time is running out as he is almost 80. So far, his reception has been icy, but that’s his loss/issue. I care more about the fact that he had three children and I’d like to know those siblings and the other relatives. I suppose it’ll happen when it’s meant to be. ☮️💟

[@nofinn1044]

Adoptee trauma is real

[@sophiapetrillo3008]

Wow wow I also have the “woo” factor, did improv, theatre etc. So cool to see this resonating with adoptees. Even at almost 40, it still feels good to hear other adoptees talk about their experiences. It definitely has some upsides & downsides but I think it can make a person incredibly unique and tremendously empathetic.

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Sam Jones is an A+ interviewer. Where most feel uncomfortable with emotional talk, and will crack jokes and move things along, Sam Jones says "that's interesting" and asks more.

[@TonyTylerDraws]

He sits back and listens. He lets people talk. He's not there to showoff how insight *he* is. Sam just wants the artist to talk. I imagine he would be just as interested in hearing from a first time actor as he would from Anthony Hopkins.

[@lulumoon6942]

I wonder if it is just natural to him, or if he has consciously cultivated his skills.

[@jeremysnowden2836]

@@lulumoon6942 I'm sure it's a combination of both, and also an awareness of how awful and shallow the interview landscape is for most artists haha

[@lulumoon6942]

@@jeremysnowden2836 So true!

[@trendingasmr]

" if you make everyone else happy they won't go away" 15 yrs of therapy in one statement. thank you. I struggled with this my whole life. I was a foster child.

[@elenaarman-tang7811]

I hope your life is much better now 🤗 ❤ 😘

[@simplyp5521]

🥺 me too as a foster to adoption. But I don’t people please anymore.

[@mimilove_]

Wow the last sentence spoke was absolutely Beautiful!❤️

[@sarahdee374]

I've always had that need to be early, because of not wanting to be left out. I'm adopted too, and never connected the two. Thank you KMK! and congrats too. I met my birth mother at 35 after searching, we met once and she had no desire to continue any type of contact. I'm still working thru a double whammy of abandonment feelings after that. Life goes on and all is as it is. She's now deceased, so it's all my work now.

[@annek1226]

Perhaps she did you a favor by stepping away the second time. Ever consider that? If this is the type of shallow person she was, what would she have added to your life? Nothing! She let you go the first time because she had nothing to offer you and again after 35 years she still had nothing emotionally or spiritually to bring to the table. What a sad person she must have been! Chances are, she did you a favor! I wouldn’t be sad, you are a survivor! She is a failure on more than one level! Head high, be proud!

[@sarahdee374]

@@annek1226 Thanks for your encouraging words. I do know that "Mary" was a strict Catholic, subsequently married and had 4 sons. She was terrified that if her husband and my half brothers ever found out about her "sinful" behavior they would shun her. Thank Heavens I never bought into the whole Catholic shit and although I have my faults and triggers crippling guilt is not one of 'em.

[@joylastname3035]

I just want to reach out and give you a big hug.

[@sarahdee374]

@@joylastname3035 Oh sweetheart, you just did! Thank you for such a warm thought. Best to you!

[@donnariggs1567]

@@annek1226 35 years ago there wasn't the support on the taxpayer as there is today...free housing free food free clothing free medical free education and there wasn't the shame heaped on a person today for having a child out of wedlock...not to mention the church and all that crap guilt the piled on a person but yet failed to help ...it's not always so cut and dry..also no mention of the father so where was that support????

[@iah8344]

Both of my parents were adopted. They both became medical doctors and met in med school. They married in 1957 and made beautiful, productive lives for themselves and loving relationships with their adoptive families. Their biological parents died of disease (scarlet fever), but it wasn't the end of the story Sharing your story is very kind and brave. Best wishes and many blessings to you and yours

[@4WingedAngels]

Thank you for sharing your parent’s story.

[@jaredf6205]

All four of them died from scarlet fever?

[@jennifermcgoldrick6323]

@@jaredf6205 it’s very possible. Three of five of my grandmothers siblings came down with scarlet fever during WWII. The son away at war died in war. The three daughters at home with their parents - one died of the illness and the other two died of heart attacks at 36 and 43. The only one who lived a long life was sent to live with a wealthier aunt and didn’t come in contact with the virus.

[@iah8344]

Jared F: three of scarlet fever. My dad's dad died 4 months before he was born of diabetes. They had no treatment for it in 1929

[@iah8344]

Jared F: my mom and her siblings all came down with it too. Her older sisters and 3 younger adoptive brothers died. My mom's death at 81 was due to her weakened heart from it

[@squidmilker6311]

This man never ceases to impress me. His articulation, his intellect, his wit, his introspection....truly a national treasure.

[@aechean]

As an adoptive dad it makes me both sad to hear that fear existed/exists and also happy that you have that relationship and recognize it as a selfless act KMK.

[@nofinn1044]

Giving up a child for adoption is a lifelong trauma. The adoption industry is deeply problematic. Pleaser don’t glamourise it

[@barcelonanova6789]

@@nofinn1044 I don’t know about your personal history about the matter. But i’m guessing everyone has the right to view it as they like. I don’t think recognizing that a parent is ready to never see his/her child again in order to give them a better life is ‘glamorizing’ it. I believe that you can find that place in your heart where you recognize that separation was hard for your biological parent but it ultimately gave you a chance at life that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible. That realization can make you feel grateful for the sacrifice and grateful for your life. Hence making that trauma a little less painful. Also when children are adopted very young i don’t thing it’s that traumatic as for the parent and they get to live a much better live with parents that could take care of your every need and love you beyond simple basic biology. Adoptive families don’t love you cause biology and society says they have to, but because the CHOOSE to love you no matter what.

[@victoriabaker4400]

@@nofinn1044 Adoption in human society is as old as human society, and for all the same reasons as today. Adoption figures in mythologies of every culture I'm aware of. Keegan is correct that his bio-mother was selfless in making her choice. Not all adopted children see it that way, and not all women who give up their children are doing it for completely selfless reasons. Any of that doesn't make adoption bad. It's a necessary part of human life. If you mean the adoption industry that tries to take away the right of women to reproductive freedom and "my body, my decision", then yeah sure I would agree with you. But not that adoption itself is wrong or inherently unnatural or bad.

[@sophiapetrillo3008]

@@nofinn1044 what a foolish thing to say.

[@sophiapetrillo3008]

As the father of your beautiful adopted child, simply *knowing* that a cellular level trauma can exist (your body remembers but the mind does not) is HUGE! Being aware of this & not afraid of it is one of the most powerful acts of love you can ever give your child. My parents went through a crazy journey with me when my biological family reached out to me as an adult, & now I’m closer to my mother (the one who chose me) than ever before. She just wants me to be happy, no matter what. No matter what. That’s love. :)

[@detroiter4194]

We were acquaintances in college. What I remember is that Keegan was a really super nice guy. Easy to get along with. Glad to see that hasn't changed.

[@georgegeysen6499]

KMK ... really amazing talent. A lot of insight and self-awareness. Great story.

[@philfallacci4833]

Keegan-Michael Key is the definition of charming thoughtful with a whole lot of swagger. My stepfather was abusive and my mother could not defend me however my new adopted parents were encouraging and still are caring to me. It is better to have had concerned adoptive parents, than no love at all. Folks who go on with their lives without any love & family ties end up in prison have a history of homelessness, dysfunctional relationships, and never-ending drama. Moreover our biological family is our relational teaching tools if you don't learn to accept them or get along with them, you might not have the skills to strengthen relationships thus you will be all alone during hard times.

[@RuleofFive]

Sorry you went through that. Glad you're with caring people now.

[@ReginaDillard]

You can tell he's done the emotional work. I've known quite a few adopted people, who are doing extremely well, financially and materially, but are unable to say that giving them up for adoption was selfless. I felt his words.

[@simplyp5521]

Every story is unique and the reason for being placed differs. My bio parents were teens, I’m a secret and they want to keep it that way. I was placed out of shame, fear, and selfishness. Moreover, to withhold medical info is cynical especially when my maternal side are doctors and nurses. Although I understand, but my bio mom should have been supported. Instead of being forced to place me, with the idea of never meeting or seeing me again. Have grace for those people, listen and support. Don’t judge because they don’t share your ideology of adoption. It’s a complex situation to be in.

[@amyh7554]

I’m adopted as well. I’ve been in touch with my bio mom for 2 years. She is currently fighting brain and breast cancer. She is such a blessing and is amazing. You hit the nail on the head, when you said “selfless!” I couldn’t imagine having the kind of love & strength, that our bio moms had & still have. We are so very blessed!!!!

[@AnarinaTV]

You'll be blessed Key with how you treat your mom. :)

[@PjPerez]

This isn't an interview show. It's therapy on camera.

[@redfordreddington8834]

eh

[@I-speak-U-shut-it]

So true😍

[@williamcarter9066]

My mother die having me her very last puff of life that she pushed out is now posting this post, my great aunt raised me she was born in 1909 in the south and her mother was born at right end of the enslaved and her great grandmother and grandmother was part of the enslaved ... An all tragic things ever do they make you or break you an if someone adopts you that just means they truly know the meaning of love which is GOD IS LOVE and love is the polar of selfishness its selfless !!

[@FML_85]

KMK is so unbelievably lovable 🥰❤

[@vernessatucker8647]

Awesome, thanks for sharing! I love what he said about his biological Mom. He has such a great attitude.

[@Chastain86]

I've really come to the conclusion that the two best interviewers on the planet right now are Sam Jones and Sean Evans from "Hot Ones." Two very distinct approaches to giving their subjects a chance to open up, without treading down well-worn roads with hackneyed, overasked questions. Between these two men, you can learn a lot about how to engage with people.

[@222browneyes]

Ali Plumb is great too.

[@davidashton1305]

Agreed though Marc Maron has to be in that group too

[@misterrodger]

Just when I thought I couldn't love this guy more.

[@babybundon]

Ahhh he’s nice to his mom and helps her that’s so nice that he thought about her and how she might feel awww

[@user-gu3ie]

The man is the most funny talented guy ever,with the integrity and intelligence packed in... im definitely holding thus guy higher then Hart

[@djosephine]

I just love KMK, he’s my spirit animal. I resonate with him a lot

[@AnthonyP73]

Same, adopted person with a fear of being late.

[@julieclark3768]

You're a far stronger person than I am and I am also adopted, I don't want you to think that being adopted was what made you strong, you have something unique and talented within you

[@nailsthatstunt3665]

He brings me a since of joy. Hes my fav.🥳 even when hes having a deep sobering session.

[@doneestoner9945]

I adore Keegan Michael 💜

[@lmhoyt]

Funny, talented, intelligent, and smoking hot! He’s a gift to us all. ❤️

[@eldruidacosmico]

Keegan-Michael Key is a walking example on why adoption is a far better option than selfish child murder. God Bless him and his mother.

[@LavenderLife007]

My goodness he is such a wonderful,candid, thoughtful person. Wondering where is the rest of this interview.

[@marcalvarez4890]

Not many "stars" i would genuinely like to have as friends, but Kegan and Zack Galifinakis...i wish i could hang out with them for life.

[@lisajean228]

Jack black would be an awesome friend, I’m sure!

[@kerryrodriguez412]

God bless him I’m glad someone raised him responsibly and with love

[@Tulpen23]

KMK is a beautiful man in every sense

[@lauravf3708]

Thank you to your biological mom for choosing life. You are a gift to all of us!

[@johndavis48076]

Dammit! That last statement almost got me bawling in the middle of a Panera!!! :)

[@oc5939]

Completely in love with this man. 💕

[@peterlundstrom6740]

KMK is such a cool dude.

[@HettiedeKorteDiplomaat]

I love him. And Peele.

[@joycejohnson7164]

I was adopted and I'm usually early. Biggest fear in high school, being late to go into the cafeteria study hall and looking for an empty seat...

[@z.t.8950]

Black and white video is so cool.

[@Kimillions]

Hi. I'm new here lol I LOVE that this/these are in black and white!! It pulls you deep into the dialogue. Also, I always adored KMK...but now, WOW.

[@deedee1902]

Thank you for this wonderful interview. KMK, you are A-mazing and I love you even more!

[@bugajk25]

He’s a great guy and an amazing comedian

[@rsolsjo]

Pure speculation, but Key and Peele seem perfectly matched because Key seems to have that slightly more energetic, emotional energy and Peele seems a little more grounded in himself and "calmer". Brings the best out of one another.

[@Ibochic1]

Love these interviews!.

[@HighSociety420]

Congratulations to the both of you on your success 👍🏾

[@1sovereignmercy]

Being relinquished is trauma. Even if you don’t know about it, it impacts and effects you on a cellular and emotional and biological level. I was relinquished at birth and placed with my adopted parents at 6 weeks old. They did not tell me I was adopted. I found out accidentally at 20 years old. There is so much to say about this but too much for a texted comment. I just wanted to say that the primal wound (Nancy Verrier) is real. I have always struggled with feelings of abandonment and being unwanted. Yes I have a loving adoptive family and yes I have a deep wound. Bit are true. Also, I believe it is a lifelong grief for the bio mother too. I understand there are good reasons to relinquish your baby and I understand it deeply impacts the bio mother and the relinquished child. A great resource for adult adoptees is the Adoptees Connect and the podcast Adoptees On

[@1sovereignmercy]

*both

[@Laitalafraise]

Wow! I enjoyed discovering KMK's (true) personality! He seems like a down-to-earth, clever man!

[@carlalussini]

Schimigadoon is great, last episode this guy had me sobbing

[@Tulpen23]

Me too - immediate, full-on ugly cry

[@carlalussini]

@@Tulpen23 lol, same! I followed it with a Ted Lasso episode so I ended up emotionally exhausted but full of hope for humanity in general and men stopping being toxic assholes that ruin the word specifically

[@dawnhewitt1]

Extremely heartwarming and touching! Wow.

[@CheyenneKingActress]

He truly is remarkable.

[@audreysuite]

How wonderful. I wish my mother had that same perspective because she has spent her entire life questioning why her mother "dashed" her away when that was really not the case at all. She has lived a very blessed life compared to her biological siblings.

[@TK-ij2xi]

I always thought actors had all been traumatized in some manner to be able to "become" someone else. Whether their parent was a narcissist, an overt abuser, or just a sense of displacement.

[@CM-pf1xc]

This comment section 😭 also KMK is sos self aware! Seems like he’s done a lot of good counseling/therapy/self work-good for him. ❤️

[@johnjayalves6843]

As a person who is legally deaf, I totally get the "arrive early" thing, it is the only time I feel I have a chance to "keep up" with the hearing world

[@tonyabrookes9931]

❤

[@lulumoon6942]

?????I wonder if Sam Jones' conversational ability is just natural to him, or if he has consciously cultivated his skills????

[@mab1176]

I can't love him anymore!!!

[@twingytwango6971]

Thirty minutes early where I live is being on time!!! Five minutes before your appointment time you are already. Our school principal used to say better never than late.

[@kathrynschumann5254]

Love this guy.

[@NellieKAdaba]

Me too, but I have a friend who was adopted and she was always late for her train, he's punctual for a person who was adopted.

[@angelanicholson951]

It's true a out the emotional IQ to learn from very young what makes each person happy. And yes, becoming what they want from you, rather than you being allowed to become you.

[@tonyabrookes9931]

Aww. Love him ❤

[@wrathofgrothendieck]

Great skit, this guy is comedic genius

[@charlotteziggy8353]

He is not even funny. Now Peele is a genius.

[@kyleeconrad]

Birth mother here, what he says, but more importantly, how he says it really hits me. As someone who gave my first born son to a loving family I even got to pick myself, I struggle constantly with the sadness, guilt, feelings of being a failure, weakness, inadequacy and never knowing if I really did do right by him. I havent seen or held him since he was three days old, but I think about him everyday in someway. Especially now that I have two more boys with my husband and I cant imagine living without them. I can tell you this tho, it doesn't feel "selfless" to me. [Logan Joshua, I love you wherever and whoever you are. ]

[@PSUJerseyGirl]

He is very likable....

[@PatriciaRoman-sr5ho]

Hes awesome 👌 👏 👍

[@soud986]

Dude is very intelligent

[@bosswhispering]

Freud termed it abandonment anxiety.

[@dawnhawkins9719]

Damn he is good!

[@fortheloveofgod7258]

❤Love him.

[@lindsaykarabanow2715]

I get it! Abandonment stuff, in me too, is tied up with rushing a lot, and being afraid to miss them. What if they're already gone by the time I get there?

[@glw5166]

His mom chose to do a selfless thing by letting him go and she ended up having him in the end. Wonderful how that worked out and that he does not harbor any hatred towards his mother - and he encourages her to not have any guilt.

[@lcglazer]

Key, I know the answer before I clicked this video - you were able to draw your family ancestry...all the way back to Thomas Jefferson!!

[@tanyalowe7150]

I am adopted I agree, Irish and its not easy. Women were treated like shit. Thank you for speaking.

[@pollypocket2282]

Wow.

[@Tim_Climie]

No Activity. SEND IN THE CLONES! :p

[@MrReyRey]

ive been hit in the head to many times and this is to big brain for me.

[@nicolineadams9762]

I sense under the comedy he is sad I see it in his eyes

[@lm406]

Ok..,I’m having a hard time...”Selfless Acts” , because that can not in all situations...No judgement.

[@mscandys549]

Amen.

[@thistest2001]

hhmmss: 0:30-1:26 insecurity inadequacy envy chaotic childhood self-esteem emotional intimacy

[@damaniqphillip2756]

Wow

[@Littlething41]

Many children who experience trauma early in life usually develop an obsessive need to control something unknowingly having this idea that whatever happened to them won't happen again because now they can control "it." 😣

[@trollme8646]

Wow i didnt even know Key had a mom.

[@sophialorencoffee9055]

Woooooooow 💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️

[@thistest2001]

hhmmss: 1:28-2:01 networking social awareness social skills listening skills

[@heyyall5651]

Does he feel left out of Jordan's success? I think it's a valid question judging by what he's said in this clip

[@jonathancineus6424]

I always thought he had South Asian roots…

[@toomuchinformation]

Certainly looks like it.

[@eagillum]

roots :)

[@TonyTylerDraws]

Sam's here doing therapy and the guests don't even know it. Edited to be clearer

[@TonyTylerDraws]

@The Dude no I meant the guests

[@marleiserashford396]

Giving up a child is a very difficult decision. But it hurts even worst if the mother was white n the father was black. I hope this wasn't the case. All children need to know their parents.

[@melleetheka]

It’s such a shame that adoption isn’t allowed in Islam because Muhammad was sexually attracted to his “adopted” sons wife and so he caused them to divorce and then abolished the practice of adoption to excuse what he did as it was looked down upon by his community. He didn’t like the rumors so “allahs sent a new verse down that adoption is no longer permissible in the muslim community

[@lisajean228]

Messed up, isn’t it?

[@mizzmolly7649]

I visited an orphanage when I was in Egypt. The only instance in which adoption is allowed is if it's by a blood relative.

[@melleetheka]

@@mizzmolly7649 yes I know this but not a cousin because incest is allowed in Islam. Cousin marriage IS incest. In any case, it’s pretty sick that adoption of non relatives isn’t allowed all because Muhammad saw his adopted sons wife nearly naked when he came over unexpectedly and she wasn’t dressed. His LUST led to the abolition of adoption. Sad….

[@mizzmolly7649]

@@melleetheka You're absolutely right. And they don't let non-Muslims adopt them either. In Egypt, they stay in the orphanage until age 18 and then are on their own.

[@jeanlukeskye]

no it doesn't but you are doing fine that is all that counts'

[@Will_Moffett]

He's not half the actor Peele is.