Joseph Chrest (born May 26, 1963) is an American academic and actor. He has had roles in numerous films and television series including 21 Jump Street (2012) and its sequel 22 Jump Street (2014), Oldboy, The Butler (both 2013), The Perfect Date (2019), and as Ted Wheeler in Stranger Things (2016–2025).
Early life and education Chrest was born and raised in St. Albans, West Virginia, where he attended St. Albans High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Marshall University. In the late 1980s, he earned an MFA in acting from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Career Chrest is an adjunct professor at the School of Theatre in Louisiana State University's College of Music & Dramatic Arts. He teaches a film acting class. Since 1992, he is a founding member of LSU's Swine Palace.
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1993King of the HillBenThe Pelican BriefSong and Dance Man from Bar1995The UnderneathMr. Rodman1997ClockwatchersDetective1998Out of SightAndy2000Erin BrockovichTom RobinsonLushGregAuggie RoseRhinebackUncredited2002Full FrontalSex Shop Man #1The RingDoctor2003Runaway JuryOwens2004The AviatorHell's Angels Director of Photography2005The Skeleton KeyParamedic2007Ocean's ThirteenFender Roads' Manager2008The Secret Life of BeesMr. ForrestMiracle at St. AnnaMP Doyle EllisWho Do You Love?Malcolm Chisholm2009I Love You Phillip MorrisSteven's DadThe Informant!Visiting ClientThe Blind SideClemson Coach2010Welcome to the RileysJerryLouisTom AndersonRedRetirement Home DetectiveSecretariatSports BroadcasterKnuckleheadChild Services Inspector2011Drive AngryF***ing PassengerBattle Los Angeles1st Sgt. John RoyThat's What I AmMr. ClearLove, Wedding, MarriageJohnSeeking JusticeDetective RudeskiButterButter FanTexas Killing FieldsSalterJeff, Who Lives at HomePaul201221 Jump StreetDavid SchmidtBattleshipJPL ControllerThe Lucky OneDeputy MooreKilling Them SoftlyBusiness Suit AgentOn the RoadVirginia CopThe CampaignRainbowland AudienceThe Baytown OutlawsATF AgentPlaying for KeepsReferee2013The Last Exorcism Part IIPastorG.I. Joe: RetaliationChief of StaffThe Hot FlashesMillie's DadNow You See MeElkhorn Janitor AgentThe ButlerWhite UsherOldboyJohnny / Schizophrenic ManHomefrontDEA Agent #12014BarefootTrooper22 Jump StreetDavid SchmidtBlack or WhiteDaveAmerican HeistCaptain Sullivan2015FocusJewelerUncreditedAnt-ManFrankI Saw the LightOscar DavisThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2Mitchell2016Showing RootsFuzzy CanadayCold MoonCharles DarrishFree State of JonesJames EakinsLBJMcGeorge BundyUncreditedDeepwater HorizonSims2017GiftedKevin Larsen2018Assassination NationLawrenceThe Front RunnerIra Wyman2019The DirtDavid LeeThe Perfect DateHarvey Lieberman2020The LovebirdsRed Robe Man2022Where the Crawdads SingDr. Cone2023Quiz LadyMr. WaltersKillers of the Flower MoonLawyer Freeling2024Lisa FrankensteinDale SwallowsFly Me to the MoonSenator Vanning
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1993Law & OrderLt. Charles BatesEpisode: "Conduct Unbecoming"1994Family MattersOfficer CarmichaelEpisode: "Good Cop, Bad Cop"ColumboMercerEpisode: "Undercover"Cries from the HeartBrandon RichardsTelevision film1995Sweet JusticeDylanEpisode: "Bloodlines"Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. LongCarl WeissTelevision filmFallen AngelsDinoEpisode: "The Professional Man"1996The LotteryDeputy Jeff SimmonsTelevision filmNash BridgesKevin McMillanEpisode: "The Brothers McMillan"MillenniumRaymond DeesEpisode: "5-2-2-6-6-6"1997Promised LandGary McNeelyEpisode: "Downsized"1998Chicago HopeJudasEpisode: "Tantric Turkey"1999SnoopsJoel HilburnEpisode: "Singer in the Band"Hefner: UnauthorizedEd GunnTelevision film2000Touched by an AngelJoeEpisode: "Finger of God"2001Level 9Derek SantosEpisode: "Wetware"2004CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationAl MaguireEpisode: "Getting Off"DeadwoodPersimmon PhilEpisode: "Deep Water"Star Trek: EnterpriseBar PatronEpisode: "Home"3: The Dale Earnhardt StoryJake ElderTelevision film2005MediumHenry YellenEpisode: "Coded"Faith of My FathersCranerTelevision filmSurfaceRich's FriendEpisode: "Episode 5"2006ThiefArt LusterEpisode: "Everything That Rises Must Converge"2007K-VilleDet. Ray McPhersonEpisode: "Ride Along"2008Front of the ClassJim OvbeyTelevision film2010House of BonesBenjaminOne Tree HillInvestorEpisode: "We All Fall Down"2012Breakout KingsDetective Estes2 episodesTremeJames Townsend2014NashvilleEd MarshallEpisode: "I'll Keep Climbing"True DetectiveDetective Demma5 episodes2016Killing ReaganJerry ParrTelevision film2016–2025Stranger ThingsTed Wheeler23 episodes2017Sun RecordsVernon Presley7 episodes2018Mr. MercedesDetective2 episodesThe PurgeRoss Bailes3 episodes2019Looking for AlaskaWalter Halter4 episodes2020When the Streetlights Go OnMr. Chambers10 episodes2022The First LadyDr. Pursh2 episodesA Friend of the FamilyBishop Matthew Paulsen6 episodes2026High PotentialRamsey PikeEpisode: "Grounded"
Theatre Month/YearVenueTitleRoleNotesOctober 1986LSU TheatreThe Rimers of EldritchLanford WilsonMay 1987LSU TheatreThe Rose Tattoo"In a large and energetic cast, Joe Chrest and Amanda P. White bring credibility to their small (unaccented) roles."April 1988LSU TheatreFool for LoveMartinThe cast also performed at the Kennedy Center as part of the American College Theater Festival.(1989, January 25). The Baton Rouge Advocate, p. 32. Available from NewsBank: America's News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A138F0D9908AC8D5F%40EANX-14AD694211F43DCB%402447552-14ACDAECABCBBB86%4031-14ACDAECABCBBB86%40 .December 1988LSU TheatreThe Wild DuckGregers WerleAugust 2001Theatre West Virginia The Sound of MusicCaptain von TrappHe was also director of the play.May 28-July 6, 2025Mark Taper ForumHamletDetective Fortinbras/Ghost of Hamlet's father
References
External links
Stranger Things at LSU: Interview with Professor Joe Chrest, 26 October 2017.