Joel McHale Overview
Joel McHale was an American comedian, actor, producer, host, and writer. He was born in Rome, Italy, to American parents, Laurie and Jack McHale, on November 20, 1971, while his father served as the Dean of Students at the Loyola University Rome Center. He and his family were raised in Seattle, Washington, until he became a much popular comedian in the contemporary entertainment scene.
Started His Career
Joel McHale initially guest-starred in a number of TV programs, such as Bill Nye the Science Guy, The Huntress, Diagnosis: Murder, and Will & Grace. In 2004, he was given the opportunity to host E!’s The Soup. Soon after this, he did the movies Spider-Man 2 in 2004 and Mini's First Time in 2006.
Became TV Personality
From 2009 to 2015, Joel McHale played Jeff Winger on the sitcom Community. During this time, he also got featured in the films Spy Kids: All the Time in the World, The Big Year, Ted, Deliver Us from Evil, and A Merry Friggin Christmas. In 2014, he served as the host at the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner. In 2015, he hosted the ESPY Awards event. The following year, he got featured as an occasional co-host in ABC’s morning show Live! with Kelly. In the year 2017, he hosted the 43rd People's Choice Awards as well as the 2017 Webby Awards.
Not only that, McHale also voiced the character of First Ninja in Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja from 2013 to 2015. Then in 2016, he was cast as Jack Gordon in The Great Indoors. The following year, he appeared in an episode of Dimension 404 and Mystery Science Theater 3000. In 2018, he started his own talk show on Netflix, titled The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale. It combines celebrity guests, pre-taped video clips, and sketches in half-hour episodes that focus on pop culture and news from across the globe.
Stand-Up Comedy Career
As a comedian, Joel McHale was a member of the local sketch-comedy TV titled Almost Live! produced by Seattle's KING-TV. From 1993 to 1997, he was a part of the improv comedy group at Unexpected Productions. In 2014, he served as a host at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner conducted in Washington D.C. In addition, he has also hosted numerous award functions and events till date.
Personal Life
There was not much to discuss about Joel McHale’s personal life. After he finished his studies at Mercer Island High School and later received his bachelor's degree from University of Washington. A keen football lover from his college years, he had played for the Washington Huskies football team for two years. He then completed his Master of Fine Arts program from the UW’s Actor’s Training Program. Coming to his love life, he married Sarah Williams in 1996. As of now, the couple has two sons. Currently, Joel McHale resides with his family in Hollywood Hills, California.