You know that voice. It sounds like someone gargling gravel and cigarette ash, right? If you’ve spent any time watching NBC on a Wednesday night, you’ve seen Jason Beghe. He’s the guy who plays Hank Voight on Chicago P.D., the gravel-voiced sergeant who looks like he’s always two seconds away from throwing someone into a "cage."
But here’s the thing. Most people think Beghe just appeared out of thin air to play a gritty cop in the Midwest. Honestly, his actual filmography is a total trip. We’re talking about a guy who went from being a male model to starring in a George A. Romero horror movie about a killer monkey, to becoming the face of one of the most successful TV franchises in history.
Let's break down the jason beghe movies and tv shows that actually define his career, because it's a lot more than just wearing a leather jacket in Chicago.
The Role That Almost Killed Him (Literally)
Before we get into the list, we have to talk about that voice. It’s not a gimmick. In 1999, Beghe was in a horrific car accident. It was bad. He actually died for a short time and was in a coma for weeks. When he was intubated, he kept pulling the tubes out of his throat while he was unconscious. That shredded his vocal cords.
He survived, obviously. But he came out the other side with that iconic, rasping growl. It changed his career. Before the accident, he was often cast as the "handsome guy" or the romantic interest. After? He became the ultimate tough guy.
Monkey Shines (1988)
This was his big break. It’s a George A. Romero flick (the Night of the Living Dead guy). Beghe plays Allan Mann, a quadriplegic athlete who gets a service monkey named Ella. Sounds cute? It isn’t. The monkey starts telepathically linking with him and murdering people. It’s a weird, intense performance that showed he could carry a movie.
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G.I. Jane (1997)
Remember Demi Moore shaving her head? Beghe was right there. He played Royce, the love interest. It’s one of the last times you see him in a major "pretty boy" role before the accident changed his physical presence.
The Transformation: Gritty TV and Procedurals
After the accident, the industry started seeing him differently. He started popping up in everything. Seriously, look at his 2000s credits. It’s like a "best of" list of TV dramas.
- CSI: NY
- Criminal Minds
- Veronica Mars (He was Cormac Fitzpatrick, a total creep.)
- Californication (He played Richard Bates, a hilarious, messy professor.)
The Californication role is a sleeper hit. He was actually close friends with David Duchovny in real life—they went to school together—and their chemistry on screen is undeniable. It’s a rare chance to see Beghe do comedy, or at least a very dark version of it.
The Legend of Hank Voight
In 2012, Jason Beghe showed up on Chicago Fire as a dirty cop. He was supposed to be a villain. He tried to have Matt Casey killed! But fans loved the intensity. Dick Wolf (the mastermind behind Law & Order) saw something there.
That’s how Chicago P.D. was born.
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Why Voight Works
Usually, the lead of a cop show is a "good guy." Voight is... not. He’s morally gray. He breaks rules. He’s the guy who does the wrong things for the "right" reasons. As of early 2026, Beghe has played this character for over 13 seasons across multiple shows.
If you want the full "Voight Experience," you have to watch the crossovers. He’s been in:
- Chicago Fire (Where it all started)
- Law & Order: SVU (His face-offs with Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson are legendary)
- Chicago Med
- Chicago Justice (A short-lived but interesting spin-off)
The Deep Cuts You Probably Missed
If you’re a true completionist looking for jason beghe movies and tv shows, you can't ignore the random stuff.
Home Alone 4 (2002)
Yes, this exists. No, it is not as good as the first two. Beghe plays Peter McCallister (Kevin’s dad). It’s a TV movie, and it’s a bit of a shock to see Sergeant Voight dealing with slapstick burglars.
X-Men: First Class (2011)
He has a small role as a Navy XO. It’s a "blink and you’ll miss it" moment, but it shows how directors love his presence for authoritative roles.
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The Next Three Days (2010)
A solid thriller starring Russell Crowe. Beghe plays Detective Quinn. Again, he’s playing a cop. At this point, Hollywood realized that if you need a detective who looks like he’s seen too much, you call Jason Beghe.
What to Watch Right Now
If you're just getting into his work, don't just start with Chicago P.D. season one. Try this instead:
- For the Acting: Watch Monkey Shines. It’s a masterclass in acting with just your face and voice (back when it was still "normal").
- For the Comedy: Check out his arc on Californication. It’s wild.
- For the Intensity: The Chicago Fire episodes where he’s the antagonist. It’s interesting to see him before he was the "hero" of his own show.
Basically, the guy is a survivor. He literally cheated death and turned a career-ending injury into a trademark. That's why he's still on our screens in 2026 while so many other 90s actors have faded away.
Next Steps for You
If you want to see the evolution for yourself, track down a clip of him in Thelma & Louise (he’s the state trooper) and compare it to a recent episode of Chicago P.D.. The difference is jarring, but the talent is the same. Start with Season 1, Episode 1 of Chicago P.D. to see the birth of the "Intelligence Unit" era.