Joel McHale Joel Edward McHale ( born November 20 , 1971 ) is an American 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 the NBC comedy series " Community " . McHale ' s role as a voice actor includes Elliot in " Open Season 2 " , filling in for Ashton Kutcher . He also appeared in " Spider - Man 2 " in a brief appearance as bank manager Mr . Jacks , " " as Greg Welsh , and " " as Wilbur Wilson . Early life . McHale , the middle of three brothers , was born on November 20 , 1971 , in Rome , Italy , where his father worked as Dean of Students at Loyola University Rome Center . His mother , Laurie , is from Vancouver , British Columbia , and his father , Jack , is from Chicago . He has Irish and Norwegian ancestry . He grew up in the Seattle area , graduating from Mercer Island High School in 1991 . He also participated at Youth Theatre Northwest . He received a bachelor ' s degree in History from the University of Washington in 1995 . While at the University of Washington , McHale briefly belonged to the Theta Chi Fraternity . He was recruited to be on the rowing team , but later walked onto the football team , playing tight end for two years . McHale received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Professional Actors Training Program at the University of Washington . Career . Comedy . McHale was part of the " Almost Live ! " cast , a local sketch - comedy TV show produced by Seattle ' s KING - TV ( Channel 5 ) . From 1993 until 1997 , McHale was a member of the improv comedy group at Unexpected Productions , participating in Theatersports ! at the Market Theater located in Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle . Acting . After earning his master ' s degree in acting , McHale moved to Los Angeles and landed small roles in " Oliver Beene " , " " , and " Will & Grace " . He played a TV reporter in the biopic " Lords of Dogtown " . He guest - starred as a cast member on the NBC improv comedy show " Thank God You ' re Here " during the pilot episode and had a guest role on an episode of " Pushing Daisies " . McHale also appeared in " Spider - Man 2 " in a small role as Mr . Jacks , a bank manager . In 2004 , McHale began hosting " The Soup " , a satirical weekly television show on the " E ! " television network . Throughout the show , he takes the audience through the oddities and ridiculous happenings of the week in television . He frequently appears as a co - host on " Loveline " . He has also had a long association with Circle X Theatre , where he has done several plays . McHale was a weekly guest on " The Adam Carolla Show " and " Mickey and Amelia " , and occasional guest on the " Opie and Anthony Show " . He has been a judge on " Iron Chef America " . He was involved in the American version of the British TV show " The IT Crowd " . McHale made a guest appearance on the finale of " Last Comic Standing " sixth season , when he recapped the show ' s events in his typical format of jokes made popular on " The Soup " . He occasionally appeared on " Countdown with Keith Olbermann " in a humor sequence closing the show . McHale played FBI Agent Robert Herndon in " The Informant ! " ( 2009 ) , alongside Matt Damon . He currently stars in " Community " , which premiered in winter 2009 . He also continues to host " The Soup " . McHale made an appearance on the first episode of the fifth season of Tosh . 0 . Voice acting . McHale provided the voice of Elliot in " Open Season 2 " after Ashton Kutcher declined to reprise his role . He also voiced an alternate head for Norm the robot in an episode of " Phineas and Ferb " . Personal life . McHale married Sarah Williams in 1996 . They have two sons : Edward Roy , " Eddie " ( born 2005 ) and Isaac Hayden ( born 2008 ) . McHale and Williams live in the Hollywood Hills .