Went to the University of Washington as an undergrad from 1991-1995. Got
his bachelor's degree in history and was a tight end for the Husky
football team.
His son, Eddie, underwent open heart surgery when 2 months old. He made a full recovery.
Was a history major and went on to complete the master's program in acting at the University of Washington.
His father's profession moved the family around several times. Joel was born in Rome before his family moved to Washington State, then they lived in Haddonfield, New Jersey for 2 years before moving back to a Seattle suburb.
His wife gave birth to their second child, Isaac McHale, on March 12, 2008.
Die-hard Seattle Seahawks fan.
His wife gave birth to their first son, Edward Roy McHale, in 2005. They call him Eddie.
His father is of Irish descent. His maternal grandfather was of half Norwegian and half Finnish ancestry, and his maternal grandmother was of English and Norwegian descent.
Joel is a member of Theta Chi Fraternity from the Alpha Rho chapter at the University of Washington.