According to actor Jason Beghe, a severe 1999 auto accident left him clinically dead for a brief period, fracturing his neck, back, and all ribs while collapsing both lungs, which ultimately altered his vocal cords through prolonged intubation and shaped his signature raspy delivery on Chicago P.D.
The 1999 Accident and Medical Aftermath
Before the 1999 crash, Jason Beghe possessed a deep voice, but it lacked the rough texture that now defines his portrayal of Intelligence Unit chief Hank Voight. According to interviews given by the actor, the collision broke his neck and back in multiple places, fractured every rib, and severely damaged both lungs. These injuries led to a three-and-a-half-week coma during which Beghe relied on life-support machines. He recalled that his heart stopped briefly, leaving him technically dead for a short period before he recovered.
How Intubation Altered Jason Beghe’s Voice for Chicago P.D.
The distinct vocal transformation resulted primarily from emergency intubation procedures. As Beghe recounted, whenever he regained a degree of consciousness during his coma, he attempted to pull the breathing tube from his throat, inadvertently damaging his vocal cords. This trauma deepened his already low register into a permanent, gravelly rasp. While initially presenting an inconvenient hurdle for various acting roles, the damaged voice became a defining asset when he debuted as Hank Voight in 2012 on Chicago Fire, before securing his own spinoff series Chicago P.D. in 2014.
Did you know? Hank Voight’s vehicle choices have evolved alongside his character arc, transitioning from an older 2003 Dodge Durango in early seasons to a matte-black 2015 Cadillac Escalade, a 2018 Dodge Durango SRT, and eventually a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit in season 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Jason Beghe’s accident happen?
According to the actor’s interviews, the severe car crash occurred in 1999.
How did the accident change his voice?
Medical intubation and the actor’s attempts to remove the breathing tube while emerging from a coma caused lasting damage to his vocal cords.
Where can viewers watch current episodes of Chicago P.D.?
Episodes air on television networks like Italia 1 and remain available for streaming via Mediaset Infinity.
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