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Joel McHale Biography

Birth Name:Joel Edward McHale

Birth Place:Rome, Italy

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Participated in the third annual Hillside Foster Soles Project, where he auctioned a pair of his autographed shoes
  • Hosted the annual American Giving Awards in 2012, as well as the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2014
  • Earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Washington
  • After completing his master's degree, he set out for Los Angeles, where he earned small roles in programs like "CSI: Miami" and "Will & Grace․"
  • Interested in live comedy since his teenage years, he joined Unexpected Productions, an improv comedy group based in his home town of Seattle, in the mid-1990s
  • Best known as the host of the pop culture satire show "The Soup" and for playing Jeff Winger in "Community․"
  • Initially recruited to join the school's rowing team, he would opt to play tight end on the football team while attending the University of Washington

Awards

  • 2008OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Variety Performer: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2010INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2011INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011OFTA Television Award-Best Male Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
  • 2011Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2012Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2012Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2012Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: winner
  • 2012INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2012OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2012OFTA Television Award-Best Male Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
  • 2012Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2012TV Guide Award-Favorite Ensemble: winner
  • 2013OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program: nominated
  • 2015BloodGuts UK Horror Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020Jury Prize-Best Supporting Actor or Actress in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2024Astra TV Award-Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2025Astra TV Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated