---
name: "Chi McBride"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/chi-mcbride"
fi1m_id: "chi-mcbride"
imdb_id: "nm0564277"
tmdb_id: 8687
wikidata_id: "Q471128"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "23 September 1961"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 62
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-05T03:26:37.350387+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Chi McBride

## Identity

Chi McBride

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/chi-mcbride
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** chi-mcbride
- **IMDb ID:** nm0564277
- **TMDB ID:** 8687
- **Wikidata ID:** Q471128
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi_McBride, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q471128, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564277/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8687

Actor. Born 23 September 1961 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 23 September 1961, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- **Active:** 2000–present
- **Also known as:** Chi, Kenneth McBride 
- **Frequently works with:** [Bryan Wynbrandt](https://film.one/person/bryan-wynbrandt.md), [Maja Vrvilo](https://film.one/person/maja-vrvilo.md), [Paul A. Edwards](https://film.one/person/paul-a-edwards.md), [Steven Lilien](https://film.one/person/steven-lilien.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 62, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 63 (4), 2010s 65 (1), 2020s 56 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 62 to 58 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Crime 4, Drama 4, Action 2, Action & Adventure 1, Comedy 1, Mystery 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $804m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi_McBride, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q471128, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0564277/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8687

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*I, Robot*](https://film.one/film/i-robot.md) (66), [*Hawaii Five-0*](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md) (65), [*The Terminal*](https://film.one/film/the-terminal.md) (63)
- **Netflix:** [*I Will Find You*](https://film.one/tv/i-will-find-you.md) (56)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Chi McBride

> Chi McBride is an ensemble actor we welcome: dry, authoritative and capable of making a stock role feel human. *Pushing Daisies* gives those qualities something more interesting to do than simply keep everyone in line.

Chi McBride does not ask us to find Emerson Cod adorable. In *Pushing Daisies* (2007), his dry delivery gives us a welcome pause from the sweetness, without suggesting that the fantasy is beneath him. We felt relieved by that lack of insistence: we could enjoy the absurdity without being prodded to admire its charm. McBride takes the material seriously enough to let it be funny. It is an approach we trust, especially in a programme that can exhaust us by being so insistently endearing.

The recurring job titles tell us how he tends to be used. His first major starring television role was Principal Steven Harper in *Boston Public* (2000); *I, Robot* (2004) cast him as Lieutenant John Bergin. After *Pushing Daisies* came *Human Target* (2010–2011), then Captain Lou Grover in *Hawaii Five-0*, which he joined in 2013. This is a career built largely around the ensemble, with McBride often providing the steady partner or senior figure. We can see the appeal, though another person in charge is not in itself a reason to watch.

Cod is a private investigator with questionable morals, and that gives McBride more to work with than simple seniority. Alongside Lee Pace and Anna Friel, he helps make the impossible romance of *Pushing Daisies* matter without making the programme still sweeter. Kristin Chenoweth’s Olive Snook is funny because she accepts the silliness without embarrassment; McBride’s drier delivery is equally assured. Both allow the absurdity to stand without repeatedly pointing it out. His humour belongs in this company, even when he seems the least inclined to indulge it.

The caution is that steadiness can become an excuse to ask too little of an actor. We welcome McBride’s authority, but would rather it came with Cod’s wry humour and doubtful morals than another set of instructions for the other characters. Start with *Pushing Daisies*, accepting that even he cannot make every sweet moment bearable.

## Biography

Chi McBride is an American actor. Born Kenneth McBride on 23 September 1961 in Chicago, Illinois, he began his career in music before turning to acting in the early 1990s.

He is best known for playing Emerson Cod in the series *Pushing Daisies* (2007–2009). Other television roles include Steven Harper in *Boston Public* (2000–2004), Edward Vogler in *House* (2005), and Lou Grover in *Hawaii Five-0* (2013–2020). Film credits include *The Frighteners* (1996), *Gone in Sixty Seconds* (2000), *The Terminal* (2004) and *I, Robot* (2004).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *I Will Find You* (2026), Fi1m 56, as Max Williams — [page](https://film.one/tv/i-will-find-you.md)
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), Fi1m 65, as Lou Grover — [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Pushing Daisies* (2007), Fi1m 82, as Emerson Cod — [page](https://film.one/tv/pushing-daisies.md)
- *I, Robot* (2004), Fi1m 66, as Lt. John Bergin — [page](https://film.one/film/i-robot.md)
- *The Terminal* (2004), Fi1m 63, as Mulroy — [page](https://film.one/film/the-terminal.md)
- *Gone in Sixty Seconds* (2000), Fi1m 40, as Donny Astricky — [page](https://film.one/film/gone-in-sixty-seconds.md)

## Complete filmography (70)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *I Will Find You* (2026), series, as Max Williams — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/tv/i-will-find-you.md)
- *Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head* (2022), series, as Judge (voice), Smart Judge (voice), Cop (voice)
- *Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe* (2022), as Metcalf / Judge (voice)
- *Better Call Saul Presents: Slippin' Jimmy* (2022), series, as Father Karras (voice)
- *How We Roll* (2022), series, as Archie
- *Fancy Nancy* (2018), series, as Mailman Gus (voice)
- *The Fury Files* (2017), series, as Nick Fury (voice)
- *This Is Us* (2016), series, as Paul DuBois — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/this-is-us.md)
- *Home Sweet Hell* (2015), as Chief Malcom Brown
- *Draft Day* (2014), as Walt Gordon
- *LEGO MARVEL Super Heroes: Maximum Overload* (2013), series, as Nick Fury / Red Skull (voice)
- *Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel* (2013), as Nick Fury (voice)
- *Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.* (2013), series, as Nick Fury (voice)
- *Pawn Shop Chronicles* (2013), as Johnson
- *Marvel's Avengers* (2013), series, as Nick Fury (voice)
- *Golden Boy* (2013), series, as Detective Don Owen
- *Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man* (2012), series, as Nick Fury (voice)
- *The Family Tree* (2011), as Simon Krebs
- *Suits* (2011), series, as Terrence Wolf
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Lou Grover · Writer — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Human Target* (2010), series, as Winston
- *Still Waiting...* (2009), as Bishop
- *Who Do You Love* (2008), as Willie Dixon
- *American Son* (2008), as Eddie
- *First Sunday* (2008), as Pastor Arthur Mitchell
- *Pushing Daisies* (2007), series, as Emerson Cod — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/pushing-daisies.md)
- *The Brothers Solomon* (2007), as James
- *Phineas and Ferb* (2007), series, as Nick Fury (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/phineas-and-ferb.md)
- *Let's Go to Prison* (2006), as Barry
- *The Nine* (2006), series, as Malcolm Jones
- *Ultimate Avengers 2* (2006), as Chief Elder (voice)
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Craig
- *Annapolis* (2006), as McNally
- *Waiting...* (2005), as Bishop
- *Roll Bounce* (2005), as Curtis Smith
- *Killer Instinct* (2005), series, as Matt Cavanaugh
- *How I Met Your Mother* (2005), series, as Rod — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/how-i-met-your-mother.md)
- *House* (2004), series, as Edward Vogler — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Steven Harper — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *I, Robot* (2004), as Lt. John Bergin — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/i-robot.md)
- *The Terminal* (2004), as Mulroy — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-terminal.md)
- *Cradle 2 the Grave* (2003), as "Jump" Chambers
- *Paid in Full* (2002), as Pip
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Mayor Ray Nicholson
- *Undercover Brother* (2002), as The Chief
- *Narc* (2002), as Cpt. Mitchell Cheevers
- *Boston Public* (2000), series, as Steven Harper
- *The Kid* (2000), as Kenny
- *Gone in Sixty Seconds* (2000), as Donny Astricky — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/gone-in-sixty-seconds.md)
- *God, the Devil and Bob* (2000), series, as Mike (voice)
- *Max Steel* (2000), series, as Jefferson Smith (voice)
- *Muhammad Ali: King of the World* (2000), as Drew 'Bundini' Brown
- *Magicians* (2000), as Tom
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Thomas Ahern
- *The Parkers* (1999), series, Actor
- *The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer* (1998), series, as Desmond Pfeiffer
- *Mercury Rising* (1998), as Tommy B. Jordan
- *Hoodlum* (1997), as Illinois Gordon
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Steven Harper
- *The Frighteners* (1996), as Cyrus
- *The Great White Hype* (1996), as Rowdy Spectator (uncredited)
- *Nash Bridges* (1996), series, as Luscious Mancriff
- *Sliders* (1995), series, as Mule Packer
- *Cosmic Slop* (1994), as T-Bone (segment 'Tang')
- *The John Larroquette Show* (1993), series, as Heavy Gene
- *What's Love Got to Do with It* (1993), as Fross
- *The Distinguished Gentleman* (1992), as Homer
- *Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation* (1992), as Malcolm Pennington III
- *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* (1990), series, as Ed Barker
- *Married... with Children* (1987), series, as Dexter

## Gallery

- ![Chi McBride](https://film.one/media/person/102016/gallery-38d40557296b.jpg) Chi McBride — Kristin Dos Santos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Chi_McBride_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Chi McBride at a San Diego Comic-Con panel for Human Target in July 2010.](https://film.one/media/person/102016/gallery-e162f33ae7e6.jpg) Chi McBride at a San Diego Comic-Con panel for Human Target in July 2010. — Cameron Yee at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ygx/, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/ChiMcBrideSDCCJuly10.jpg/1280px-ChiMcBrideSDCCJuly10.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Actor Chi McBride and screenwriter Bryan Fuller - "Pushing Daisies" 25th Annual Paley Television Festival - ArcLight Cinemas, Los Angeles. (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/102016/gallery-af1a668eac83.jpg) Actor Chi McBride and screenwriter Bryan Fuller - "Pushing Daisies" 25th Annual Paley Television Festival - ArcLight Cinemas, Los Angeles. (2009) — Kristin Dos Santos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Chi_McBride_and_Bryan_Fuller.jpg/1280px-Chi_McBride_and_Bryan_Fuller.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![U.S. Air Force Col. Johnny Roscoe, second from left, the commander of the 15th Wing (WG), and Chief Master Sgt. Leslie Bramlett, center, the command chief for t (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/102016/gallery-5803a29a50d0.jpg) U.S. Air Force Col. Johnny Roscoe, second from left, the commander of the 15th Wing (WG), and Chief Master Sgt. Leslie Bramlett, center, the command chief for t (2013) — Tech. Sgt. Jerome Tayborn, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Hickam_Airmen_highlighted_on_%27Hawaii_Five-0%27_episode.jpg/1280px-Hickam_Airmen_highlighted_on_%27Hawaii_Five-0%27_episode.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Chi McBride](https://film.one/media/person/102016/gallery-d8fff51c2143.jpg) Chi McBride — Image via TMDB
- ![Chi McBride](https://film.one/media/person/102016/gallery-f2e9297cf8ce.jpg) Chi McBride — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/chi-mcbride