Jason Beghe
Jason Beghe is an American actor.
Beghe starred in the 1988 George A. Romero film Monkey Shines, playing a quadriplegic in a performance that was positively received. He appeared as a police officer in the film Thelma & Louise and played Demi Moore's love interest in G.I. Jane. Beghe starred opposite Moira Kelly in the television series To Have & to Hold, and has had recurring roles on Picket Fences, Melrose Place, Chicago Hope, American Dreams and Cane. Since 2014, he has starred in the NBC TV series Chicago P.D. as Hank Voight.
Beghe is a former Scientologist. He began taking Scientology courses in 1994 and later appeared in a Church of Scientology advertising campaign and in promotional videos. Beghe left Scientology in 2007 and has publicly criticized Scientology since his departure.
Early life
Beghe was born March 12, 1960, in New York City and has three siblings. He attended the Collegiate School, a private preparatory school for boys located in New York City. While there, he became best friends with John F. Kennedy, Jr. and actor David Duchovny. Kennedy and Beghe often spent time together outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in Central Park, and were monitored by Kennedy's Secret Service detail. Beghe later persuaded Duchovny to pursue work in acting.Acting career
Prior to his acting career, Beghe worked as a model in Europe. He had his feature film debut in the 1985 film Compromising Positions, starring Susan Sarandon, and in 1986 had his first recurring role on television on the HBO situation comedy series 1st & Ten. He starred alongside O. J. Simpson and Sam J. Jones in HBO's sequel to 1st & Ten titled Training Camp: The Bulls Are Back, and John Voorhees of The Seattle Times wrote: "The cast, which includes O.J. Simpson, Sam Jones and newcomer Jason Beghe, is first-rate."In 1988, he starred in the film Monkey Shines: An Experiment In Fear, directed by George A. Romero. He portrayed Allan Mann, a law student made quadriplegic when hit by a truck in the opening credits of the film. The Philadelphia Inquirer gave a positive review of Beghe's performance in Monkey Shines: "Acting only with his face and voice, Jason Beghe is terrific at conveying the mounting anger and rage of an active man made passive". David Foil of The Advocate described Beghe's performance as "remarkable simply for meeting the demands of the character".
Beghe played an ice hockey star in the Perry Mason TV film The Case of the All-Star Assassin, an NBC-TV telefeature broadcast November 19, 1989. In 1991 he played a State Trooper in the film Thelma & Louise, and was Demi Moore's love interest in the 1997 film G.I. Jane. He had recurring roles on Picket Fences and Melrose Place, and became a cast member of Chicago Hope in 1997, portraying electrician Danny Blaines opposite romantic interest Dr. Austin played by Christine Lahti. In a 1997 interview in The Boston Herald, Beghe spoke about his respect for his fellow cast members in Chicago Hope: "I think it's the best cast assembled that I've ever seen. One for one, they're incredible. And to work with Christine Lahti? I'd drop a lot of things for that. She's so good and smart and dedicated. I've become a better actor just for working with her." He commented on his character on Melrose Place, a closeted military officer who had feelings for Matt, played by Doug Savant: "I thought we should kiss, but it was too much. TV is a very specific medium, and you're naive if you think that everything is just based on artistic decisions. If it prevents them from selling some products, that's a major consideration. But I'm an actor. I'll do whatever it takes."
Beghe co-starred with Moira Kelly in the 1998 CBS television drama series To Have & to Hold, where he played police officer Sean McGrail. Mike Duffy of The Detroit Free Press wrote: "There is an affectionate romantic sizzle between the ruggedly handsome Beghe and the dark-haired, unconventionally attractive Kelly." Kinney Littlefield of The Orange County Register said that "Beghe and Kelly have charm."
Beghe appeared in acting roles on Numb3rs, , Everwood, Criminal Minds, Veronica Mars, "Jag" and Cane. Beghe portrayed exorcist Ray Purvis in the 2008 horror film One Missed Call. In 2009, Beghe had a guest-starring role on the television show Californication. He played the character novelist Richard Bates, a friend of character Hank Moody. "Bates, played by Jason Beghe, made for an interesting character and the fact that he didn't get as much screen time as some of the other characters is a shame," wrote Danny Gallagher of TV Squad. In October 2009, Beghe was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the filming of the movie The Next Three Days, directed by Paul Haggis. The film was released in 2010 and starred Elizabeth Banks, Russell Crowe, Brian Dennehy, and Olivia Wilde.
Since 2014, Beghe has starred on Chicago P.D.; the show is a spin-off of Chicago Fire, on which Beghe played a recurring role. Chicago P.D. follows the detectives of the Chicago Police Department's Intelligence Unit that combats the city's major offenses, including organized crime, drug trafficking, and high-profile murders. Beghe plays the role of Sgt. Hank Voight, a "tough cop" who heads the Intelligence Unit. On November 21, 2017, Deadline reported that Beghe was investigated for behavior that was considered overly aggressive and possibly sexual harassment while filming Chicago P.D. in 2016. Claims of inappropriate behavior were reportedly made by his former co-star, Sophia Bush. Beghe released a statement in which he acknowledged having anger problems, stated that he was working on them, admitted to engaging in aggressive behavior on set, and apologized.
Religious beliefs
Involvement in Scientology
In 1994, while taking an acting class taught by Scientologist Milton Katselas, Beghe decided to take some Scientology courses. Fellow acting student Bodhi Elfman gave him a book about Scientology. In 1999, Beghe helped promote a "What is Scientology?" exhibition as part of a Church of Scientology television advertising campaign in Great Britain. He appeared in Scientology promotional videos in 2005. Beghe estimated that he gave the Church of Scientology US$1 million over a 12-year period.In 2007, Beghe decided to leave Scientology. One of the first people he went to see after leaving Scientology was his friend David Duchovny. During the period when he was involved in Scientology, Beghe's relationship with Duchovny suffered; Duchovny was referred to as a "Suppressive Person", a term used by Scientologists for those believed to be working against the Church of Scientology.
Criticism of Scientology
Beghe began to publicly criticize the Church of Scientology in April 2008. He participated in an interview about his experiences as a Scientologist; a clip of that interview was published online by Scientology critic Mark Bunker in mid-April 2008. In the video, Beghe asserted that Scientology was "very dangerous for your spiritual, psychological, mental, emotional health and evolution". The clip ended with Beghe stating, "I don't have an agenda. I'm just trying to help. I have the luxury of having gotten into Scientology and after having been in it, been out. And that's a perspective that people who are still in and not out do not have." Marina Hyde of The Guardian has called Beghe a Scientology celebrity whistleblower.'s interview of Beghe
On April 28, 2008, Beghe posted online a letter to Church leader David Miscavige. In the letter, he requested the confidential confessional files that Scientology compiles during Auditing sessions. Beghe told The Village Voice that these confidential files are kept on actor Tom Cruise and other celebrity Scientologists.
Beghe has asserted that Scientology's practice of disconnection was still in place as of 2008. In an interview with Tony Ortega of The Village Voice, Beghe stated that the expulsion of his four-year-old son from a Scientology school was an example of disconnection. Beghe has turned down opportunities to speak about his experiences with Scientology on television; he says, "I just wanted to make sure that the story isn't about me. It's not about me. It's about helping others who are still lost in the cult, or toying with the idea of getting involved."
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On May 29, 2008, Beghe attended a protest against the Church of Scientology held outside the Scientology building on East 46th Street in New York City. In September 2008, Beghe traveled to Europe where he spoke with government officials in Hamburg, Germany, about his experiences as a Scientologist. Beghe suggested that governments put up warning signs about Scientology that are similar to warnings placed on packs of cigarettes; the next day, a member of Germany's Interior Department told him such a sign was placed outside a Church of Scientology building in Berlin.
, Germany
Beghe was a guest in May 2009 on the BBC World Service radio program , where he discussed his views on what he thought of Scientology when he first joined: "I thought that it was something that was going to deliver miracles, and that it was the most selfless group of people that were totally dedicated to helping mankind, and I wanted to be part of it." He was also critical of Scientology leadership: "I think that there are probably things of Scientology that are valuable and that can help people - my main issue is not with Scientology per se, it is with Scientology the organization - it is a corrupt I believe and probably a criminal endeavor, and that has to do with people who are in charge of Scientology mainly David Miscavige..."
In September 2010, Beghe took part in a BBC News Panorama documentary, The Secrets of Scientology, in which he spoke about his decision to leave the organization. Beghe also appeared in the 2015 HBO documentary Going Clear, based upon the book of the same name by Lawrence Wright.
Personal life
Beghe's sister, Francesca Beghe, is a singer/songwriter who released a self-titled album in 1991 with SBK Records. His great-grandfather was Charles S. Deneen, a two-term governor of Illinois and one-term U.S. Senator in the early 1900s.Beghe married Angie Janu in 2000. The couple have two children. Beghe has lived in Nichols Canyon, Los Angeles, California. In December 2017, Beghe filed for divorce, and finalized it in 2019.
Beghe and David Duchovny are close friends, and he was best man at Duchovny's wedding to actress Téa Leoni.
Beghe was in an automobile accident in 1999. He said, "I was intubated, and I kept pulling this tube out of my throat." This has left him with a voice described as "gravelly".
Filmography
Film
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1986 | Dress Gray | Hank Beaumont | TV mini-series 2 episodes |
| 1986–1987 | 1st & Ten | Tom Yinessa | First recurring role on television 23 episodes |
| 1987 | The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd | Glen | Episode: "Here's Why Henry David Thoreau Chose the Pond" |
| 1989 | Alien Nation | Dr. Jim Trenner | Episode: "Fountain of Youth" |
| 1989 | Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin | Bobby Spencer | TV Movie |
| 1989 | Christine Cromwell | Billy Peale | Episode: "Easy Come, Easy Go" |
| 1989 | Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders | Sammy Turner | TV Movie |
| 1989–1990 | Murder, She Wrote | Wayne Bennett/Steve Chambers | 2 episodes |
| 1990 | The Operation | John Kopiak | TV Movie |
| 1990 | Mancuso, FBI | Episode: "Daryl Ross & the Supremes" | |
| 1990 | Quantum Leap | Det. Sgt. Roger Skaggs | Episode: "M.I.A." |
| 1990 | Johnny Ryan | Peter Howard | TV Movie |
| 1991 | Jake and the Fatman | Dennis Morgan | 2 episodes |
| 1992 | Homefront | Paul | Episode: "Bad Connection" |
| 1992 | Intruders | Ray Brooks | 2 episodes |
| 1992–1993 | Picket Fences | A.D.A. Petrovic | 5 episodes |
| 1993 | In the Heat of the Night | Mark Meyers | Episode: "Private Sessions" |
| 1993 | L.A. Law | Detective Greg Riley | Episode: "Cold Shower" |
| 1993 | Full Eclipse | Doug Crane | TV Movie |
| 1993–1995 | Matlock | Thomas Crighton/Lt. Pat Rutledge | 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Treasure Island: The Adventure Begins | Robbie | TV Movie |
| 1994 | The X-Files | Larry Moore | Episode: "Darkness Falls" |
| 1994 | Melrose Place | Lt. Jeffrey Lindley | 8 episodes |
| 1995 | Courthouse | Russell Snow | Episode: "Order on the Court" |
| 1995 | NYPD Blue | Julian Kerbis | Episode: "One Big Happy Family" |
| 1996 | Public Morals | Boyfriend | Episode: "The Yellow Cover" |
| 1996 | Good Company | Ron Nash | 6 episodes |
| 1996 | Suddenly | Joe Mulvey | TV Movie |
| 1997 | Promised Land | Jeff | Episode: "Independence Day" |
| 1997 | George and Leo | Ron | 2 episodes |
| 1997–1998 | Chicago Hope | Danny Blaines | 4 episodes |
| 1998 | Baby Monitor: Sound of Fear | Matt | TV Movie |
| 1998 | Cab to Canada | Mike Donahue | TV Movie |
| 1998 | To Have & to Hold | Sean McGrail | 13 episodes |
| 1999–2000 | Family Law | Don | 4 episodes |
| 2000 | Runaway Virus | Daniel Rothman | TV Movie |
| 2000 | Dharma & Greg | Scott Kelley | Episode: "The Spy Who Said He Loved Me" |
| 2000 | Resurrection Blvd. | Eric Carter | 2 episodes |
| 2000 | When Andrew Came Home | Eddie | TV Movie |
| 2001 | The Beast | Bill Hanson | Episode: "The Damage Done" |
| 2001 | Kristin | Peter Medavoy | Episode: "The Rival" |
| 2001 | Three Blind Mice | Carter Simmons | TV Movie |
| 2002 | ' | Russ Bradley | Episode: "" |
| 2002 | Home Alone 4 | Peter McCallister | TV Movie |
| 2002 | Judging Amy | Tim Powell | Episode: "Lost and Found" |
| 2003 | The District | Donnelly/Officer Terry | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | The Lyon's Den | FBI Agent Vince Ryan | Episode: "Ex" |
| 2004 | Pilot Season | Henry R. Duke | Television miniseries |
| 2004 | JAG | Sgt. Maj. Thomas Elgart Ret. | Episode: "Corporate Raiders" |
| 2004 | American Dreams | Gunnery Sergeant Finch | 11 episodes |
| 2004–2005 | Everwood | John Hayes | 6 episodes |
| 2005 | The Inside | Special Agent Randall Day | Episode: "Gem" |
| 2006 | Huff | Darren Hadlick | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | ' | Jack Butler | Episode: "" |
| 2006 | Veronica Mars | Cormac Fitzpatrick | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | Criminal Minds | Sheriff Yates | Episode: "North Mammon" |
| 2007 | Numb3rs | Reid Sarasin | Episode: "Finders Keepers" |
| 2007 | Cane | Vince Grasso | 8 episodes |
| 2008 | Ghost Whisperer | Kevin Keller | Episode: "Bloodline" |
| 2008 | Eli Stone | Rick O'Malley | Episode: "The Humanitarian" |
| 2008 | Runaway | Episode: "Father Figure" | |
| 2009 | Life | John Flowers | Episode: "3 Women" |
| 2009 | Lie to Me | Captain Hoopes | Episode: "Undercover" |
| 2009–2013 | Californication | Richard Bates | 13 episodes |
| 2010 | Hawthorne | Richard Maxwell | Episode: "Hidden Truths" |
| 2010 | Tall Justice | Moretti | Short |
| 2010 | Medium | Frank Davenport | Episode: "Smoke Damage" |
| 2010–2011 | Castle | Mike Royce | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Big Tweet | Jimmy Rossi | Short |
| 2011 | Needs | Head Mobster | Short |
| 2011 | NCIS | Blake Martin | Episode: "Kill Screen" |
| 2011 | ' | Raymond Garson | Episode: " |
| 2011 | Prime Suspect | Detective Jake Keating | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2011 | Henry | Will | Short |
| 2012–present | Chicago Fire | Det./Sgt. Hank Voight | Recurring role, 20 episodes |
| 2012 | Body of Proof | Harvey Brand | Episode: "Occupational Hazards" |
| 2012 | The Finder | Col. Chuck Bradshaw | Episode: "Little Green Men" |
| 2012 | Last Resort | Wes | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Phantom | Dr. Semak | |
| 2013 | Dice City | Detective Branson | TV Movie |
| 2014 | Wild Card | Donatello | Episode: "The Pilot" |
| 2014–present | Chicago P.D. | Sergeant Hank Voight | Lead role |
| 2014–2016 | ' | Sergeant Hank Voight | Guest 3 episodes |
| 2015 | BoJack Horseman | Jogger | 2 episodes |
| 2015–present | Chicago Med | Sergeant Hank Voight | Recurring role |
| 2017 | Chicago Justice | Sergeant Hank Voight | 3 episodes |