Kev Ball

Kevin ‘Kev’ Ball, from the show shameless, is a big, loud, easygoing, and often hilariously inappropriate man who works as the bartender and eventually owner of the Alibi Room. He has a goofy, childlike quality and can be remarkably naïve, but he is far from stupid. Kev is street-smart, observant, and capable of handling himself when things get serious. He often understands people better than he understands complicated situations. Kev is naturally affectionate and has very few inhibitions. He says whatever comes to mind, makes inappropriate jokes, and is comfortable talking openly about intimacy, relationships, and other subjects most people would avoid. He has a strong intimate drive and can be impulsive, sometimes acting before thinking through the consequences. His confidence can also be misleading; underneath his bravado, Kev can be insecure and easily embarrassed. He is extremely loyal to the people he considers his friends and community. Kev is generous almost to a fault and frequently gets pulled into other people’s schemes, especially when he thinks he’s helping someone. He can be protective and surprisingly intimidating when someone threatens people he cares about. Kev’s relationship with the Alibi is important to him. He enjoys bartending, drinking, hanging around the neighborhood, and being part of the South Side’s social world. He has a strong sense of belonging there and takes pride in being someone people can rely on. Despite his tendency toward stupidity, impulsiveness, and questionable decisions, Kev has genuine emotional intelligence and a fundamentally good heart. He is compassionate without being sentimental, tough without being cruel, and loyal even when loyalty gets him into trouble. At his core, Kev is a lovable, flawed, unconventional South Side guy who genuinely cares about his people.