Template:Infobox comedian Joel Edward McHale (born November 20, 1971) is an American comedian, actor, writer, television producer, television personality, and voice artist. He is best known for hosting The Soup and for his role as Jeff Winger on the NBC comedy series Community.
McHale's role as a voice actor includes Elliot in Open Season 2, filling in for Ashton Kutcher.[1] He also appeared in Spider-Man 2 in a brief appearance as bank manager Mr. Jacks, CSI: Miami as Greg Welsh, and Spy Kids: All the Time in the World as Wilbur Wilson.
Early life[]
McHale, the middle of three brothers, was born on November 20, 1971, in Rome, Italy, where his father worked as Dean of Students at Loyola University Rome Center. His mother, Laurie, is from Vancouver, British Columbia, and his father, Jack, is from Chicago.[2] He has Irish and Norwegian ancestry.[3] He grew up in the Seattle area, graduating from Mercer Island High School in 1991. He also participated at Youth Theatre Northwest.
He received a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Washington in 1995. While at the University of Washington, McHale briefly belonged to the Theta Chi Fraternity.[4] He was recruited to be on the rowing team, but later walked onto the football team, playing tight end for two years.[5][6] McHale received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Professional Actors Training Program at the University of Washington.
Career[]
Comedy[]
McHale was part of the Almost Live! cast, a local sketch-comedy TV show produced by Seattle's KING-TV (Channel 5). From 1993 until 1997, McHale was a member of the improv comedy group at Unexpected Productions, participating in Theatersports! at the Market Theater located in Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle.[7]
Acting[]
After earning his master's degree in acting, McHale moved to Los Angeles and landed small roles in Oliver Beene, CSI: Miami, and Will & Grace. He played a TV reporter in the biopic Lords of Dogtown. He guest-starred as a cast member on the NBC improv comedy show Thank God You're Here during the pilot episode and had a guest role on an episode of Pushing Daisies. McHale also appeared in Spider-Man 2 in a small role as Mr. Jacks, a bank manager.
In 2004, McHale began hosting The Soup, a satirical weekly television show on the "E!" television network. Throughout the show, he takes the audience through the oddities and ridiculous happenings of the week in television. He frequently appears as a co-host on Loveline. He has also had a long association with Circle X Theatre, where he has done several plays. McHale was a weekly guest on The Adam Carolla Show and Mickey and Amelia, and occasional guest on the Opie and Anthony Show.[8] He has been a judge on Iron Chef America. He was involved in the American version of the British TV show The IT Crowd. McHale made a guest appearance on the finale of Last Comic Standing sixth season, when he recapped the show's events in his typical format of jokes made popular on The Soup. He occasionally appeared on Countdown with Keith Olbermann in a humor sequence closing the show.
McHale played FBI Agent Robert Herndon in The Informant! (2009), alongside Matt Damon.
McHale at the Paley Center's 6th annual celebrity golf classic in Westlake Village, California, June 8, 2009.
He currently stars in Community,[9] which premiered in winter 2009. He also continues to host The Soup.[10] McHale made an appearance on the first episode of the fifth season of Tosh.0.
Voice acting[]
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2011) |
McHale provided the voice of Elliot in Open Season 2 after Ashton Kutcher declined to reprise his role. He also voiced an alternate head for Norm the robot in an episode of Phineas and Ferb.
Personal life[]
McHale married Sarah Williams in 1996.[11] They have two sons: Edward Roy, "Eddie" (born 2005)[12] and Isaac Hayden (born 2008).[13] McHale and Williams live in the Hollywood Hills.[14]
Filmography[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Wait | Short film | |
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Mr. Jacks | |
| 2005 | Lords of Dogtown | TV Reporter | |
| 2005 | Game Time | Johnson | Short film |
| 2006 | Mini's First Time | Host | |
| 2008 | The Onion Movie | Office Worker | Uncredited |
| 2008 | Open Season 2 | Elliot | Direct-to-video Voice only Replacing Ashton Kutcher |
| 2009 | The Informant! | FBI Agent Robert Herndon | |
| 2011 | What's Your Number? | Roger | |
| 2011 | Spy Kids: All the Time in the World | Wilbur Wilson | |
| 2011 | The Big Year | Barry Loomis | |
| 2012 | Ted | Rex |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–1997 | Almost Live! | Various | |
| 1998 | Bill Nye the Science Guy | Defendant | Episode - "Fluids" |
| 2001 | Will & Grace | Ian | Episode - "Cheaters" |
| 2004–present | The Soup | Himself – Host | |
| 2005 | The Huntress | Quicky the Clown | Episode - "Springing Tiny" |
| 2006 | The Fugitive | Curtis | Episode - "Far from Home" |
| 2000 | Diagnosis: Murder | Richard | Episode - "By Reason of Insanity" |
| 2007 | The IT Crowd | Roy | Failed Pilot |
| 2007 | Pushing Daisies | Harold Hundin | Episode - "Bitches" |
| 2008 | Robot Chicken | Various | Voice only |
| 2008 | CSI: Miami | Greg Welch | Episode - "Urban Hellraisers" |
| 2009–present | Community | Jeff Winger | Main Role; Nominated - Satellite Awards Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical (2011)[15] Nominated - Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actor In A Comedy Series (2011)(2012) |
| 2010 | Giants of Radio | Doug Deerfield | TV Movie |
| 2011 | Phineas and Ferb | Additional Voices | |
| 2012 | Sons of Anarchy | Warren |
References[]
- ↑ Joel McHale is the Voice of Elliot in Open Season 2
- ↑ Mercer Island dons its autumn cloak - Mercer Island Reporter
- ↑ http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1203/15/pmt.01.html
- ↑ Curran, Dan (16 October 2008). "An interview with the king of snark Joel McHale". OnMilwaukee.com. http://onmilwaukee.com/ent/articles/joelmchale.html. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ Steinberg, Dan (14 February 2005). "THECHAT: Joel McHale". The Washington Post: p. D02. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22047-2005Feb13.html?sub%3Dnew?=AR%20THECHAT. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ McHale, Joel (29 September 2011). "The Walk-On: The Community star recalls his two-year football career at the University of Washington". Grantland. ESPN Ventures. http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7035000/the-walk-on. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ↑ International Improv Festival
- ↑ Joel McHale on Opie and Anthony
- ↑ Fernandez, Maria Elena (2009-04-04). "NBC unveils new programs for fall". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/05/nbc-unveils-new-programs-for-next-fall-.html. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
- ↑ Weprin, Alex (2009-05-04). "E! Expects Joel McHale To Stay On 'Soup'". http://www.broadcastingcable.com/blog/BC_Beat/12945-E_Expects_Joel_McHale_To_Stay_On_Soup_.php. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
- ↑ Report on McHale's marriage
- ↑ "". The Soup. E!. 2010-01-15.
- ↑ "'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for March 12". http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23611984/. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
- ↑ L.A. Times report on McHale's home in the Hollywood Hills
- ↑ [ Joel McHale- Awards: IMDB]
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joel McHale. |
- Official website
- Joel McHale at the Internet Movie Database
- Joel McHale on Twitter
- E! Online Biography
Template:Talk Soup hosts
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