Who plays tough and resilient detective Hank Voight on ‘Chicago P.D.’?

Like the comforting patterns found in Hallmark holiday films and slasher flicks where the final girl survives, procedural dramas have a familiar structure. Even if you’ve never seen *Chicago P.D.*, you can likely picture the hard-nosed detectives grappling with their complex personal lives. However, this would overlook well-crafted characters like Hank Voight.

Voight made his debut in *Chicago Fire*, where he buried his emotions under a mountain of work. He is portrayed by Jason Beghe, who has a long acting career that began in the 1980s. While you might remember him most for playing Voight since the character’s inception, he also had roles in projects like *Home Alone 4* and appeared in various procedurals like *Law & Order: SVU* and *NCIS*.

Beghe’s journey to becoming Voight began long before he landed the role in 2012, the year *Chicago Fire* premiered. His notable role as Richard Bates in *Californication* marked a significant point in his career. However, it was playing Voight that truly changed his life. He revealed that he faced a lawsuit from the Church of Scientology, which he described as a dangerous cult. His ex-wife suggested they needed financial stability, prompting him to focus on his career, leading to his role as Voight.

While fans of *Chicago P.D.* are often eager to hear Beghe’s thoughts on Voight’s latest storylines or his gardening hobby, his past with Scientology adds a unique layer to his story. After leaving the organization in 2007, Beghe has openly criticized it, calling it dangerous. However, he has also faced controversy, particularly regarding an investigation into his behavior that led co-star Sophia Bush to leave the show. Beghe expressed remorse for his past actions, acknowledging his struggles with anger.

Having portrayed Voight for over a decade, Beghe has developed a connection to the character. He described Voight as someone who continually evolves, reflecting on his own life experiences to inform the role. Given the long history of the character, it would be surprising to see Beghe depart, as Voight will likely continue to solve cases for as long as *Chicago P.D.* is on the air.