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Joel McHale

Joel McHale

Actor, also producer · Born November 20, 1971 (54) · Rome, Lazio, Italy

Primetime Emmy nominee

Joel Edward McHale (born November 20, 1971) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, television producer, television personality, and voice artist. He is best known for hosting The Soup and for his role as Jeff Winger on Community. He is of Irish-American descent and European-Canadian descent. He voiced Elliot in Open Season 2, filling in for Ashton Kutcher. He also appeared in Spider-Man 2 in a cameo appearance as bank manager Mr. Jacks, CSI: Miami as Greg Welsh, and Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World as Wilbur.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 20, 1971 (54)
From
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
75 on MovieCove · 94 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 17% in 30 days

What are Joel McHale's films like?

Across their 42 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 21st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
36%
Bonds
26%
Society
12%
Survival
11%
Morality
10%
Ideas
3%
Power
1%
Family bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth10 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 29 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 18 · Serious 4 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 11 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 7

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 11 · Charged 7 · Intense 11

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 11 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 5

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 14

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 20 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 15 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

15 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 7 of 15 analyzed roles.

Hero
7 of 15
Ally
3 of 15
Threshold guardian
2 of 15
Shadow
2 of 15
Herald
1 of 15
Show the 15 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
21
Tense
14
Absurd
18
Warm
13
Thrilling
12
Other
31

How their films linger

Fun24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good25 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet13
  • Ambiguous12
  • Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Joel McHale's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 61 of their 75 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (20).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joel McHale's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

94 credits, 75 with a MovieCove page; 72 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Oh Season (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Hamilton Lydell

  • Stop! That! Train!(2026)

    as Male Passenger 2

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Scream 7(2026)

    as Mark Evans

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Strip Law(2026)

    Show 1 episode · as Pringus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • The 1% Club(2025)

    Show 26 episodes · Producer · as Self - Host

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Tim Travers and the Time Traveler's Paradox(2024)

    as James Bunratty

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • California King(2025)

    as Zane

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Dawgfather: The Legend of Don James (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Parachute(2023)

    as Jamie Collins

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The 1% Club(2024)

    Show Producer · as Self - Host

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • It's a Wonderful Knife(2023)

    as David Carruthers

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match(2023)

    as Johnny Cage (voice)

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Ultimate Improv Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Monologist

  • Krapopolis(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Games Commentator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Office Race(2023)

    as Spencer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Animal Control(2023)

    Show 56 episodes · Executive Producer · as Frank Shaw

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Seven Faces of Jane(2022)

    as Michael

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • I Am Phenomenal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Bill Winger

  • Celebrity Beef(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · Producer · as Self - Host

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Bear(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as David Fields

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Yellowjackets(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · as Kody

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms(2021)

    as Johnny Cage (voice)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Queenpins(2021)

    as Rick

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Crime Scene Kitchen(2021)

    Show 29 episodes · Producer · as Self - Host

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Happily(2021)

    as Tom

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Becky(2020)

    as Jeff

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Psych 2: Lassie Come Home(2020)

    as Lassiter's Father

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Community Table Read (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Jeff Winger

  • Stargirl(2020)

    Show 13 episodes · as Sylvester Pemberton · as Sylvester Pemberton / Starman

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Dummy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Agent Jason

  • Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge(2020)

    as Johnny Cage (voice)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Medical Police(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Joel McHale

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Dark Harbor(2019)

    as Greg

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Trouble(2019)

    as Norbert (voice)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Joel McHale: Live from Pyongyang(2019)

    Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • What Just Happened??!(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • The Twilight Zone(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Love, Death & Robots(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Sergeant Morris (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Rookie(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Brad Hayes

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Assassination Nation(2018)

    as Nick Mathers

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Happytime Murders(2018)

    as Agent Campbell

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Stuck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Judge Lepetri

  • Game Over, Man!(2018)

    as Joel McHale

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale(2018)

    Show 19 episodes · Production Executive · as Self - Host

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • A Futile and Stupid Gesture(2018)

    as Chevy Chase

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Joel McHale

  • Will & Grace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Phil

  • Mystery Science Theater 3000(2017)

    Show 1 episode · Writer · as Doug McClure

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Dimension 404(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Maker

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Santa Clarita Diet(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Chris

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Great Indoors(2016)

    Show 22 episodes · as Ashley Jack Gordon

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • American Housewife(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Doyle Bradford

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Milo Murphy's Law(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Victor (voice)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Six Seasons and a Finale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Thanks · as Self

  • The Human Face of Big Data(2014)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Ken(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Ross

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Difficult People(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Felix

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • A Merry Friggin' Christmas(2014)

    as Boyd Mitchler

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Black-ish(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Joel McHale

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Adult Beginners(2014)

    as Hudson

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • BoJack Horseman(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Alex (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Advanced Television Production - 5 Days, 2 Scripts, No Sleep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Thanks · as Self

  • Deliver Us from Evil(2014)

    as Butler

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Blended(2014)

    as Mark

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Rick and Morty(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Hemorrhage (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • The Mighty T (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Narrator

  • Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja(2012)

    Show 4 episodes · as First Ninja (voice)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Ted(2012)

    as Rex

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Big Year(2011)

    as Barry Loomis

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • What's Your Number?(2011)

    as Roger the Boss

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World(2011)

    as Wilbur Wilson

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Regular Show(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as DVD (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Informant!(2009)

    as Robert Herndon

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Community(2009)

    Show 110 episodes · as Jeff Winger

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Community: Webisodes(2009)

    Show as Jeff Winger

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Open Season 2(2008)

    as Elliot (Voice)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Sons of Anarchy(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Warren

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Onion Movie(2008)

    as Office Worker

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Water and Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Joel McHale

  • Pushing Daisies(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Harold Hundin

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Mini's First Time(2006)

    as Host

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Lords of Dogtown(2005)

    as TV Reporter

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Spider-Man 2(2004)

    as Mr. Jacks

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Oliver Beene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Man in Elevator

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Greg Welch

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • The Huntress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Quicky the Clown

  • Will & Grace(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Ian

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • American Messiah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Assassin

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 3 episodes · as Tad O'Malley

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Joel McHale (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Star Wars Detours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 6 episodes · as Host of Galaxy Rumors (voice)

  • The IT Crowd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Roy

  • Untitled Community Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Executive Producer · as Jeff Winger

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 90 titles, 87 of them dated from 1989 to 2026; peak year 2020.

Biggest box office

Ted (2012)

$549M worldwide

Highest rated

Community (2009)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19892026

Peak 2020 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 15 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting86 of 90: 83 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thWriting2 of 90: 0 only writing, 2 with another roleProducing3 of 90: 0 only producing, 3 with another roleOther crew3 of 90: 3 only other crew, 0 with another role

90 titles, 4 with more than one role.

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s4 · acting2000s13 · acting2010s40 · 36 acting · 5 crew2020s29 · 29 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 11% of 28 roles
041419

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

Nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2014, Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Joel McHale's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 44th percentile, the median of all 37; across their 29 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 40th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Approval · how many liked their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Reach · how many have seen their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Midcredits score across 75 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th22
  • Below 25th17

Shape of the crowd

33 of their 75 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved14
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed33

Most divisive · actor, producer

Celebrity Beef (2022)

93rd percentile spread · 36% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The X-Files (1993)

Midcredits 98th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 25 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Joel McHale's work okay for kids?

Across up to 21 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore17 titles13–96 · median 50 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity21 titles13–56 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity17 titles23–88 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs16 titles8–64 · median 27 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense15 titles11–88 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Joel McHale work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joel McHale's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Boyd Vico shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers