'Anchorman' Actor David Koechner Arrested After Failed Field Sobriety Test In Ohio

Actor David Koechner was arrested on DUI charges for the second time in six months after failing a field sobriety test in Ohio, according to bodycam footage.

Koechner, who is best known for his portrayal as Ron Burgundy's (Will Ferrell) sidekick Champ Kind in the Anchorman films, was pulled up by Ohio state troopers on June 4 for 'lane violations' while driving.

The 59-year-old actor, who has also been on The Office and The Goldbergs, is accused of refusing to undergo a breathalyzer test.

One of the troopers may be heard describing Koechner's look on bodycam footage provided to the public.

'Alcohol… glossy eyes. I could smell the alcohol when I walked up to the car,' one of the officers could be heard saying.

According to a police officer already on the scene, Koechner was in West Virginia for a comic-con appearance.

'Oh God, You can smell it from here,' said the officer as he arrived at Koechner's car. 

Koechner said he was driving to West Virginia from the Cincinnati airport and remembered making particular stops before getting pulled over.

When asked how much he'd consumed, he simply replied, 'One.'

When the police asked what he meant by one, Koechner said, "one beer."

After that, he was asked to leave the car and answer a series of questions. He said he didn't wear contact lenses, wasn't on any drugs, and hadn't had any previous head injuries.

The only time he said yes was when asked if he was in relatively good health.

The trooper then used the tip of a pen to administer Koechner's field sobriety test.

He was then instructed to return to the police car, where he was placed 'under arrest for operating a vehicle while impaired.'

In Ohio, a DUI is referred to as OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired). He risks three to six months in prison, a $1,000 fine, and 500 hours of community service, as well as a drivers' intervention program if convicted.

According to Fox News, he has a hearing on July 8.

According to TMZ, Koechner was arrested six months ago in Simi Valley, California, at around 3 p.m. on New Year's Eve after police were summoned to deal with an 'erratic driver.'

So far, Koechner has been silent about his arrest. It appears that this is the actor's first DUI in California.

In 1995, Koechner and a few of his Second City colleagues, Nancy Walls and Adam McKay, joined the cast of Saturday Night Live.

While he only lasted one season on SNL, he would go on to star alongside McKay and fellow SNL castmate Will Ferrell in the 2004 hit comedy Anchorman as sports reporter Champ Kind, which helped to enhance his career.

Bill Lewis, played by Koechner, has a recurring role on ABC's The Goldbergs.

In 2020, he divorced Leigh Koechner, his wife of more than 20 years.

Although no reason for the divorce was given, the couple has five children: Charlie, Sargent, Audrey, Margot, and Eve.