Joel McHale
Joel Edward McHale (born November 20, 1971) is an Italian-American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, writer, voice artist, and comedian. He is best known as the host of Talk Soup and as Jeff Winger in Community. He has acted in movies including Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World as Wilbur Wilson, Open Season 2 as the voice of Elliot (taking Ashton Kutcher's place), and Ted as Rex.
| Joel McHale | |
|---|---|
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| Birth name | Joel Edward McHale |
| Born | November 20, 1971 Rome, Italy |
| Medium | Movie, television, stand-up |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Genres | News satire, sarcasm, observational comedy |
| Subject(s) | Celebrities, gossip, pop culture |
| Spouse | Sarah Williams (1996–present) |
| Notable works and roles | Host of The Soup Jeff Winger on Community |
| Website | http://www.joelmchaleonline.com/ |
Early life
McHale, the middle of the three brothers, was born Joel Edward McHale in Rome, Italy on November 20, 1971. His mother, Laurie, is from Vancouver, British Columbia, and his father, Jack, is from Chicago.[1] McHale and his brothers were born in Rome, where their father worked for an American university. He grew up in the Seattle area, graduating from Mercer Island High School in 1991. Also he 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[2] belonged to the Theta Chi Fraternity. He was recruited to be on the rowing team, but later walked onto the football team, playing tight end for two years.[3][4] McHale received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Professional Actors Training Program at the University of Washington.
Career
Stand-up 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 Fish Market in downtown Seattle.[5]
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.[6] 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 usually appeared in Countdown with Keith Olbermann in a humor sequence closing the show.
McHale played FBI Agent Robert Herndon in The Informant! (2009), alongside Matt Damon.
He currently stars in Community,[7] which premiered in fall 2009. He also continues to host The Soup.[8]
Voice acting
McHale voiced the mule Elliot in Open Season 2 (the direct-to-video sequel to Open Season) since Ashton Kutcher didn't come back; but in Open Season 3, McHale didn't return himself and got replaced by Matthew W. Taylor, who was replaced by Will Townsend in Open Season: Scared Silly.
Personal life
McHale married Sarah Williams in 1996.[9] They have two sons: Edward Roy, "Eddie" (born 2005)[10] and Isaac Hayden (born 2008).[11] McHale and Williams live in the Hollywood Hills.[12]
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Mr. Jacks | |
| 2005 | Lords of Dogtown | TV Reporter | |
| 2005 | Game Time | Johnson | |
| 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? | Paul Tyler | |
| 2011 | Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World | Wilbur | |
| 2011 | The Big Year | Skeeter Yablans | |
| 2012 | Ted | Rex | Filming |
Television work
| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1993–1997 | Almost Live! | ||
| 1998 | Bill Nye the Science Guy | ||
| 2001 | Will & Grace | Ian | |
| 2004–present | The Soup | Himself – Host | |
| 2005 | The Huntress | ||
| 2006 | The Fugitive | ||
| 2006 | Diagnosis: Murder | ||
| 2007 | The IT Crowd | Roy | Failed Pilot |
| 2008 | Robot Chicken | Various | Voice only |
| 2008 | CSI: Miami | Greg Welch | |
| 2009 | Pushing Daisies | Harold Hundin | |
| 2009–2015 | Community | Jeff Winger | |
| 2010 | Giants of Radio | ||
| 2011 | Phineas and Ferb | Additional Voices | |
Joel McHale Media
McHale at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con
References
- ↑ "Mercer Island dons its autumn cloak - Mercer Island Reporter". Archived from the original on 2011-01-31. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ↑ Dan Curran (October 8, 2008). [1] OnMilwaukee. Accessed 2011-12-26.
- ↑ Dan Steinberg (February 14, 2005). THECHAT Washington Post. Accessed 2009-03-01.
- ↑ Joel McHale (September 29, 2009). [2] "Grantland". Accessed 2011-09-30
- ↑ "International Improv Festival". Archived from the original on 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ↑ "Joel McHale on Opie and Anthony". Archived from the original on 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ↑ 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'". Retrieved 2009-05-04.
- ↑ "Report on McHale's marriage". Archived from the original on 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ↑ "". The Soup. E!. 2010-01-15.
- ↑ "'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for March 12". Retrieved January 15, 2010.
- ↑ Keeps, David A. (15 August 2009). "'Flipping Out's' Ryan Brown settles down in Los Feliz" – via LA Times.