Joel McHale
Joel McHale | |
---|---|
Birth name | Joel Edward McHale |
Born | Rome, Italy | November 20, 1971
Medium | Film, television, stand-up |
Years active | 1993–present |
Genres | News satire, observational comedy |
Subject(s) | Celebrities, gossip, pop culture |
Spouse |
Sarah Williams (m. 1996) |
Children | 5000000 (all of which are aliens) |
Website | www |
Joel Edward McHale (born November 20, 1971)[2] is an American comedian, actor, writer, television producer, and television host. He is known for hosting The Soup and portraying Jeff Winger on the NBC comedy series Community. He voiced Elliot in the computer-animated comedy film Open Season 2,[3] and has appeared in such films as Spider-Man 2, Spy Kids: All the Time in the World, and Ted.
Early life
McHale, the second of three boys, was born 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, Illinois.[4] Of Irish and Norwegian descent,[5] he was raised Catholic in Seattle, Washington,[6] where he attended Mercer Island High School until 1991.
McHale 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.[7]
He was recruited to be on the rowing team, but later joined the football team, playing tight end for two years.[8] He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Professional Actors Training Program at the University of Washington. He is a supporter of the Seattle Seahawks.[9]
Career
Comedy
McHale was part of the Almost Live! cast, a local sketch-comedy television show produced by Seattle's KING-TV (Channel 5). From 1993 to 1997, he 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.[10]
Acting
After earning his master's degree in acting, McHale moved to Los Angeles and landed small roles in Diagnosis: Murder, 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. [citation needed]
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.[11] 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 stars in the sitcom Community,[12] which premiered in winter 2009, and continues to host The Soup.[13] McHale made an appearance on the first episode of the fifth season of Tosh.0. He played Rex in Ted (2012) and had a short guest stint on the FX show Sons of Anarchy. He played an NYPD officer in the supernatural horror film Deliver Us from Evil[14]
Host
On February 14, 2014, McHale was announced as host of the 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner, held in May.[15] Previously, he was host of the Independent Spirit Awards in 2011.
Personal life
McHale married Sarah Williams in 1996. Together, they have two sons.[16][17][18] They live in Hollywood Hills, California.[19]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Mr. Jacks | |
2004 | Wait | — | Short film |
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 (voice) | |
2009 | The Informant! | FBI Agent Robert Herndon | |
2011 | Spy Kids: All the Time in the World | Wilbur Wilson | |
2011 | What's Your Number? | Roger | |
2011 | Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope | Himself | Documentary |
2011 | The Big Year | Barry Loomis | |
2012 | Ted | Rex | |
2014 | Blended | Mark | |
2014 | Deliver Us from Evil | Butler | |
2014 | Adult Beginners | Hudson | |
2014 | A Merry Friggin' Christmas | Boyd Mitchler |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | Almost Live! | Various | Unknown episodes |
1998 | Bill Nye the Science Guy | Defendant | Episode: "Fluids" |
2000 | The Huntress | Quicky the Clown | Episode: "Springing Tiny" |
2000 | The Fugitive | Curtis | Episode: "Far from Home" |
2000 | Diagnosis: Murder | Richard | Episode: "By Reason of Insanity" |
2001 | Will & Grace | Ian | Episode: "Cheaters" |
2004–present | The Soup | Himself (host) | Also writer and executive producer |
2005 | CSI: Miami | Greg Welch | Episode: "Urban Hellraisers" |
2007 | Pushing Daisies | Harold Hundin | Episode: "Bitches" |
2007–09 | Robot Chicken | Various voices | 2 episodes |
2009–present | Community | Jeff Winger | Main cast |
2011 | 26th Independent Spirit Awards | Himself (host) | Television special |
2011 | Phineas and Ferb | Norm head prototype (voice) | Episode: "Candace Disconnected/Magic Carpet Ride" |
2012 | Sons of Anarchy | Warren | 2 episodes |
2013 | Conan | Conan O'Brien | Episode: "Occupy Conan: When Outsourcing Goes Too Far" |
2013–14 | Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja | First Ninja (voice) | 3 episodes |
2013 | 2013 VGX Awards | Himself (host) | Television special |
2014 | White House Correspondents' Dinner | Himself (host) | Television special |
2015 | Regular Show | DVD (voice) | Episode: "Format Wars II" |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Video Game High School | The President of the United States | Episode: "OMGWTFPS!?" |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | EWwy Award | Best Actor in a Comedy | Community | Nominated |
2011 | Critics' Choice Television Award | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Community | Nominated |
2011 | EWwy Award | Best Actor in a Comedy | Community | Won |
2011 | Satellite Award | Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Community | Nominated |
2012 | TV Guide Award | Favorite Ensemble | Community | Won |
2012 | Critics' Choice Television Award | Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Community | Nominated |
2012 | PAAFTJ Television Award | Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Community | Nominated |
2012 | PAAFTJ Television Award | Best Cast in a Comedy Series | Community | Won |
2012 | EWwy Award | Best Actor, Comedy | Community | Won |
2012 | Satellite Award | Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Community | Nominated |
2014 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program | The Soup | Nominated |
References
- ^ Pollak, Kevin; McHale, Joel (2010-11-15). "Kevin Pollak Chat Show" (Interview). Interviewed by Kevin Pollak.
- ^ Smith, Grady (November 25, 2011). "Monitor: Nov. 25, 2011". Entertainment Weekly (1182): 30. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- ^ Joel McHale is the voice of Elliot in Open Season 2
- ^ Mercer Island dons its autumn cloak, pnwlocalnews.com; accessed February 25, 2014.
- ^ PIERS MORGAN TONIGHT, One-on-one with Joel McHale; The Great Anjelica Huston, 15 Mar 2012
- ^ Strawberry, Saroyan (June 2008). "Joel McHale". Details. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ Curran, Dan (October 16, 2008). "An interview with the king of snark Joel McHale". onmilwaukee.com. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ Steinberg, Dan (February 14, 2005). "THECHAT: Joel McHale". The Washington Post. p. D02. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
- ^ McHale, Joel (September 29, 2011). "The Walk-On: The Community star recalls his two-year football career at the University of Washington". Grantland. ESPN Ventures. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
- ^ International Improv Festival; accessed February 25, 2014.
- ^ Joel McHale on Opie and Anthony; accessed February 25, 2014.
- ^ Fernandez, Maria Elena (2009-04-04). "NBC unveils new programs for fall". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
- ^ Weprin, Alex (2009-05-04). "E! Expects Joel McHale To Stay On 'Soup'". Retrieved 2009-05-04.
- ^ http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/08/joel_mchale_talks_community_so.html
- ^ "Joel McHale will host the White House Correspondents' Dinner". Los Angeles Times. February 14, 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
- ^ Report on McHale's marriage
- ^ The Soup. 2010-01-15. E!.
- ^ "'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for March 12". Retrieved January 15, 2010.
- ^ L.A. Times report on McHale's home in the Hollywood Hills
External links
- 1971 births
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- American infotainers
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- American male writers
- American people of Canadian descent
- American people of Irish descent
- American people of Norwegian descent
- American stand-up comedians
- American television personalities
- American television producers
- American television writers
- Italian emigrants to the United States
- Living people
- Male actors from Rome
- Male actors from Seattle, Washington
- People from King County, Washington
- Washington Huskies football players
- Writers from Seattle, Washington