The Sweet Nickname Jason Beghe Answers to — and Why Voight Would Absolutely Cringe

Jason Beghe may play the gravel-voiced, no-nonsense Sergeant Hank Voight on Chicago P.D., but off-screen, the actor has a surprisingly soft side — complete with an endearing nickname that would make his tough-as-nails character wince.

In a recent interview, Beghe revealed that those closest to him don’t call him “Jason” or even “Jay.” Instead, friends and family affectionately refer to him as “J-Bear” — a nickname that stands in stark contrast to the fierce and often intimidating Voight.

“Yeah, some of my friends call me J-Bear,” Beghe said with a laugh. “It started years ago, and it just stuck. I guess it’s because they know me as more of a teddy bear than a tough guy.”

It’s a humorous revelation for fans who are used to seeing Beghe as the gruff leader of the Intelligence Unit, a man known for bending the rules, dishing out growled one-liners, and never backing down from a fight. The idea of Voight answering to “J-Bear” is almost unthinkable — which is exactly what makes the nickname so delightful.

Fans were quick to embrace the tidbit, flooding social media with comments like, “We love our J-Bear!” and “Voight could never — but Jason totally could.” The contrast between the actor’s real-life warmth and his hard-edged character only makes viewers appreciate Beghe’s talent even more.

Whether he’s solving crimes on-screen or sharing laughs off-screen, Jason Beghe proves that you can be both a fierce leader and a lovable softie — depending on who’s asking.