Who plays Keefe in The Righteous Gemstones? Actor’s career and notable projects, explored

Tony Cavalero plays Keefe Chambers in The Righteous Gemstones, HBO’s dark comedy about a dysfunctional family of televangelists.

Keefe is introduced as an ex-Satanist who was pulled from a nightclub lifestyle and brought into the Christian fold by Kelvin Gemstone (Adam DeVine). He starts out quiet and awkward, covered in tattoos, wearing eyeliner, and visibly struggling to adjust to his new religious identity.

Over time, he becomes Kelvin’s loyal partner, in The Righteous Gemstones, first as his assistant in youth ministry, then as the second-in-command of Kelvin’s bodybuilder “God Squad.” Keefe’s presence is a mix of unsettling and sweet: he’s constantly wide-eyed, overly polite, and completely devoted to Kelvin.

While most of the Gemstones are self-centered or corrupt, Keefe stands out as someone who’s genuinely trying to change. His slow-burning romance with Kelvin evolves across the series and eventually becomes central to the show’s emotional payoff, especially in the final season of The Righteous Gemstones when the two marry.

Every time he appears, he walks the line between awkward humor and absolute sincerity, making him one of the most consistently engaging characters in the show. Tony Cavalero doesn’t just play Keefe; he entirely disappears into the character.

Inside Tony Cavalero’s career: Every role that led to The Righteous Gemstones

Tony Cavalero started acting professionally in Los Angeles after studying at Cal State L.A. and becoming part of The Groundlings, the same comedy troupe that helped launch Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig. Before The Righteous Gemstones, he built his resume with minor roles in network comedies.

He guest-starred on 2 Broke Girls, Modern Family, New Girl, Hart of Dixie, and a few other shows, usually in supporting roles that leaned into his offbeat energy. On Hart of Dixie, he played Stanley Watts, a recurring character who showed up in nine episodes between 2012 and 2015.

In 2016, he landed his first lead when Nickelodeon cast him as Dewey Finn in their School of Rock series. That role was a big step; Jack Black had made the character iconic in the 2003 film, so stepping into those shoes wasn’t easy. Cavalero brought his own version of the character to kids’ TV. The show ran for three seasons and 45 episodes. It helped him build name recognition and demonstrate his ability to carry a show on his own.

In 2018, Cavalero played Ozzy Osbourne in Netflix’s Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt. That wasn’t just a quick cameo. He studied Ozzy’s speech and body language, and fully leaned into the chaotic energy required. The role was messy, loud, and physical, exactly what Ozzy required.

He wore prosthetic teeth, practiced the rockstar’s walk, and shot the scenes in heavy makeup and heat. That same year, he also voiced Johnny Rabdo in SuperMansion, a stop-motion animated show on Crackle. He worked on that from 2015 through 2019.

From 2019 onward, Cavalero committed to The Righteous Gemstones, where he played Keefe Chambers in all 36 episodes. Keefe is his most layered role, awkward, loyal, gentle, and at times absurd. His performance involves heavy physical work, from choreographed dance scenes to God Squad stunts.

For the final season, he transformed his body by training daily, doing hot yoga, lifting weights, using cold plunges, and intermittent fasting. He even credited his physical look to sobriety and staying disciplined about health. His efforts show clearly on screen, especially during shirtless scenes in Season 3 and 4.

Beyond Gemstones, he’s continued to do guest roles and voice work. He voiced characters on Archer, Teenage Euthanasia, Big City Greens, Agent Elvis, and Creature Commandos. He appeared in Rim of the World (2019), The Binge (2020), and We Broke Up (2021), usually in supporting comedic roles. In 2024, he appeared in Cold Wallet and received a producer credit. He also popped up in Cobra Kai Season 6.

Tony Cavalero’s work is consistent across genres. He’s best when the character is a little weird, a little physical, and still trying to find their place. Whether it’s a failed rocker, an ex-Satanist, or a crazed rock legend, he commits fully and leaves a mark. He’s not the type to play it safe. His career may not be filled with blockbusters, but every role he’s taken has let him show a different side of himself, and that’s why his work sticks.

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