Joel McHale's Real Name: Joel McHale
Joel McHale → Joel McHale
Quick answer: The actor and comedian is known professionally as Joel McHale. TV Insider dates his birth to November 20, 1971, in Rome, Italy. The University of Washington School of Drama and University of Washington Magazine independently describe him as born in Rome and later raised in the Seattle area, with the magazine specifying Mercer Island.
Real name and early life
Independent publishers identify him under the professional name Joel McHale. TV Guide lists a longer birth name, Joel Edward McHale, and gives the birthplace as Rome, Italy, but does not give a date; that longer form is not independently confirmed here by a second independent publisher, so this page titles him under the public name. TV Insider dates the birth to November 20, 1971, in Rome. University of Washington Magazine, in a September 1, 2010, profile, independently calls him Rome-born and Mercer Island-raised, and says he earned a history degree in 1995 and a master's from the School of Drama in 2000, after playing tight end on the Huskies scout team. The School of Drama biography independently says he was born in Rome, raised in Seattle, Washington, was a history major, and received a Master of Fine Arts from the actor training program.
Career highlights
TV Insider says his work hosting The Soup (E!, 2004–2015) led to the starring role of Jeff Winger on the NBC sitcom Community, and lists later film credits including The Informant! (2009) and Ted (2012). University of Washington Magazine independently names Community and The Soup as the two hit television shows associated with him in 2010, and mentions the films What's Your Number? and The Big Year. The School of Drama biography independently cites The Soup, Community, a role on the Fox revival of The X-Files, and films including Ted, The Informant!, and Deliver Us From Evil. That page also records that he hosted the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in 2014 and the ESPYS in 2015; TV Guide independently notes the 2014 dinner.
Name notes for searchers
People looking up Joel McHale are looking for the same actor and comedian known for The Soup and Community. A longer form appears in one listing consulted here, without a second independent confirmation used in the title.
FAQ
What is Joel McHale's real name?
He is known professionally as Joel McHale. TV Guide lists the birth name Joel Edward McHale; that longer form is not independently confirmed here by a second independent publisher.
When and where was he born?
TV Insider dates the birth to November 20, 1971, in Rome, Italy. The University of Washington School of Drama and University of Washington Magazine independently say he was born in Rome and later raised in the Seattle area, with the magazine naming Mercer Island.
Where did he go to college?
The University of Washington, according to the School of Drama and University of Washington Magazine, which record a history degree in 1995 and a graduate acting degree in 2000.
What television work is he best known for?
Hosting The Soup and starring as Jeff Winger on Community, according to TV Insider, the School of Drama, and University of Washington Magazine.