- 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.
- Was a history major and went on to complete the master's program in acting at the University of Washington.
- His son, Eddie, underwent open heart surgery when 2 months old. He made a full recovery.
- 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.
- Listed his five favorite films as Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), Blade Runner (1982), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Children of Men (2006) and Ikiru (1952).
- 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.
- Cousin of Audrey Brown.
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