Jason Beghe Looks Back at His Shirtless ’80s Modeling Days — And Even Voight Would Blush
Before Jason Beghe became the gravel-voiced, morally ambiguous police sergeant Hank Voight on Chicago P.D., before he made a name for himself as one of TV’s toughest antiheroes, and long before his voice became his most recognizable trait, he was a different kind of icon — the kind gracing shirtless ads and magazine pages in the 1980s. With chiseled cheekbones, rugged charm, and a physique that made casting agents stop in their tracks, Beghe was a rising star in the modeling world. And now, decades later, the actor is finally reacting to those vintage modeling photos with a reaction that perfectly balances humility and humor: “Wow.” In a recent exclusive interview, Beghe was shown a few of the shirtless ads from his modeling days, and his stunned expression said it all. Looking at his younger self posing in Calvin Klein-style shots with tousled hair and a confident smirk, the now-seasoned actor let out a laugh that was unmistakably self-aware.
“That guy had no idea what was coming,” he quipped, reflecting on the youthful version of himself that once walked runways and starred in print campaigns across fashion capitals. The photos from the ‘80s show a Jason Beghe that most fans of Chicago P.D. wouldn’t recognize — not just physically, but in terms of vibe. There’s no stern glower, no bulletproof vest, no hardened detective aura. Instead, the photos capture the kind of clean-cut, sculpted coolness you’d expect from the pages of GQ or a Ralph Lauren fragrance ad. It’s the kind of image you’d never associate with the world-weary, intense character of Voight. And yet, it’s all part of Beghe’s fascinating evolution.
Reflecting on those early years, Beghe shared that modeling was never really the goal — it was a way to make money and explore the creative world while figuring out his path. “I was in New York, trying to figure out acting, and people kept saying I should try modeling,” he said. “So I did a few things here and there. It wasn’t who I was, but it helped open doors.” Those doors led to early acting gigs and friendships that would define his career. One of his closest friends from that era? David Duchovny, who was also a model and aspiring actor at the time. The two bonded over their shared artistic ambitions and eventually found themselves on parallel paths in Hollywood.
His signature raspy voice, often mistaken as a deliberate acting choice, actually came as the result of a near-fatal car accident in the late 1990s that damaged his vocal cords. That voice would become a defining feature of his character on Chicago P.D., giving Voight an instantly recognizable edge. It’s hard to imagine Voight sounding any other way. That same voice, though, sounds almost tender when Beghe talks about his early years. There’s no embarrassment about the shirtless photos, no distancing himself from his past. If anything, there’s a quiet pride in having lived so many lives. From fashion model to TV tough guy, Beghe’s journey is one of reinvention and resilience.
Fans who know him only as Voight may be surprised to learn how multi-dimensional his background is. But that’s what makes his story so compelling — he’s not just playing a character; he’s lived through transformation, conflict, and the challenges of the spotlight. Asked if Voight would have anything to say about those shirtless ads, Beghe laughed again and said, “Voight would probably burn the pictures and then interrogate the photographer.” That quick wit and self-deprecating charm make it clear that while Beghe can play intense, he doesn’t take himself too seriously.
In fact, he credits the lighter moments in his life — like these old modeling memories — for helping him stay grounded in a career that’s often about extremes. Today, Jason Beghe is admired not only for his acting but also for the sense of honesty he brings to every role and every interview. He doesn’t pretend to be perfect. He owns his past, his mistakes, his transformations. The shirtless photos are a time capsule, yes, but they’re also a testament to a man who isn’t afraid to evolve. And perhaps that’s the real reason fans love him — not just for Voight’s grit, but for Jason’s authenticity. So while the world may know him now as the leader of Chicago P.D.’s Intelligence Unit, for those who knew him back when — or for fans just discovering his modeling past — it’s a delightful surprise to see the softer, younger version of the actor. And if those ‘80s photos make people smile or say “Wow,” just like Beghe did, then maybe they’ve done their job. After all, every tough guy has a story, and in Jason Beghe’s case, that story started with a shirtless ad, a camera flash, and a confidence that hasn’t aged a day.
