Keyes was born in Washington, D.C. to Holly and Dale Gumke, but he was raised in York, Pennsylvania with younger brother Chris. After graduating in 2004, Keyes moved to Los Angeles, where he started working as graphic designer and photographer of CD covers. Meanwhile, he studied acting with coach Stephanie Feury. He landed a recurring role on ABC Family's Three Moons Over Milford, and has guest starred on shows like CBS's Numb3rs and ABC's No Ordinary Family. In 2009, he joined the cast of the movie Ben 10: Alien Swarm, portraying Kevin Levin.