Joel McHale

Joel McHale is an actor, comedian, writer, and television host known for his work in television comedy, pop culture commentary, and entertainment hosting. McHale earned an MFA from the Professional Actors Training Program at the University of Washington before moving to Los Angeles, where he appeared in early guest roles on shows such as "Will & Grace" and "Diagnosis: Murder." He gained national recognition as the host of "The Soup" on E!, a satirical weekly series focused on reality television and celebrity culture, which he led for more than a decade across 12 seasons.

McHale's prominence increased with his role as Jeff Winger, a suspended lawyer attending community college, on the NBC sitcom "Community." The series ran for six seasons, developed a devoted cult following, and received accolades including an Emmy and a Critics' Choice Television Award. McHale's performance contributed to the show's enduring popularity and influence in the comedy television landscape. His success on "Community" led to film roles in "The Informant!" directed by Steven Soderbergh, "Ted," "Deliver Us from Evil," and "Blended."

In addition to acting, McHale has hosted major events such as the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, the ESPY Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards, and the People's Choice Awards. He launched "The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale" on Netflix, a topical series featuring celebrity guests, sketches, and commentary on current events. McHale also co-hosts "The Darkest Timeline" podcast with Ken Jeong and authored the book "Thanks for the Money: How to Use My Life Story to Become the Best Joel McHale You Can Be."

McHale stars in and executive produces the Fox workplace comedy "Animal Control," playing Frank Shaw, a former police officer turned animal control officer. He has appeared on Hulu drama "The Bear," hosted Fox's culinary competition series "Crime Scene Kitchen," and E! reality competition "House of Villains." McHale also hosts "The 1% Club" and continues to perform stand-up comedy nationwide. He is set to reprise his role as Jeff Winger in a "Community" movie for Peacock, reuniting with the original cast.