One Chicago Podcast: David Eigenberg (Christopher Herrmann on Chicago Fire)

Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Brian Lucci
Guest: David Eigenberg

Episode Overview

This episode of the One Chicago Podcast features David Eigenberg, who has played the beloved Christopher Herrmann on Chicago Fire for thirteen years. Host Brian Lucci, a former Chicago cop and producer, sits down with David for a deep and candid conversation. Together, they dive into David's journey from Sex and the City to the firehouse, the real-life inspirations behind Herrmann, the physical and emotional realities of shooting the series, and the vibrant, often hilarious camaraderie among cast and crew. Lighthearted banter, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and heartfelt reflections on public service define this entertaining and insightful episode.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Landing Herrmann: From Washed-Up to Heart of the Show

• [05:28] David opens up about his career lull after Sex and the City. Feeling "dead in the water," he returned to contractor work before landing the audition for Chicago Fire.
  • Quote (David Eigenberg, 05:28):
    “I was dead. And then I bumped into a guy that I knew, and he said, what's going on with you? I said, I'm dead. I'm over. I washed up… And then I was on the phone, and I nodded, and my wife was like, did you get it? ...And I said, OK, thank you. Yeah, close the deal. Whatever they offer me, whatever they're giving me, don't change it. Take it before they take it back.”
• The producers first imagined Herrmann as a “larger than life” Little John type—David’s audition defied that, yet immediately captured the showrunners, who called him “the heart” of Chicago Fire.
• [07:14] David’s initial nerves:
  • Quote (David Eigenberg, 07:14):
    "So I've never been happy because I never know. Your head's on the block. Every day you walk into work..."

Making Herrmann Real: Personal Experience and Character Depth

• [07:29] David connected with the role from the start through real-life friendships with firefighters and construction buddies who had experienced trauma, including 9/11.
• He reflects on how much of his own personality—namely, a passionate “rage” rooted in love—seeps into Herrmann.
  • Quote (David Eigenberg, 08:16):
    "Sometimes they write the anger. I'm kind of an angry guy... It comes from a deep passion of love for people, that the hatred grows out of wanting the world to be a better place."
• Herrmann is easier for David than Steve from Sex and the City; he identifies with the “rage, you know, the fireman.”
• Marine Corps background and blue-collar upbringing add authenticity.

The Heart versus the Hustle: Herrmann’s Many Schemes

• [12:41] Brian asks why Herrmann always chases side businesses (limo service, bartending at Molly’s, etc.)
  • David explains it stems from Herrmann being a “bad listener” who struggles to see his own limitations, inspired by the lovable TV character Ralph Kramden.
  • Quote (David Eigenberg, 12:51):
    “He doesn't really... can't read the writing on the wall, so he doesn't know what his limitations are.”
• The crossover scenes often find Herrmann behind the bar at Molly’s—an in-joke on set.

Defining Herrmann: Signature Emotional Moments

• [14:17] Asked for a defining moment, David highlights an episode where Herrmann’s wife battles lung cancer and he tries to comfort his son while privately breaking down.
  • Quote (David Eigenberg, 14:43):
    “He gets a call from his son...and he just responds to him and says 'everything’s gonna be okay.' And he's lying to the kid because he doesn't know. But he's trying to make the best of a horrible situation and being there for his family..."
• He relates this back to the nature of first responders—being there for others at their worst moments.

Behind the Scenes and the Physical Toll

• [16:04] Discussion of the intense, one-shot “My Lucky Day” episode with Herrmann and Cruz trapped in an elevator.
  • David’s theater roots made him savor it:
    • Quote (David Eigenberg, 16:22):
      “We did a 23 minute long take...Because one thing led into another and led into another, and it was a lot of fun.”
• [17:58] The show’s physicality is real. David notes he’s dealt with a snapped Achilles, hernia, and back surgery—all while wearing 65-70 pounds of gear.
  • The on-set stunt team operates as a tight, long-term squad covering Herrmann.

Authenticity and Firefighter Culture

• [19:07] Technical Advisor Steve Chickarodis (“Chick”)—a retired fire chief—keeps things accurate, even disagreeing on set.
  • Quote (David Eigenberg, 19:24):
    “He’s really smart. We argue about stuff...and then he just trashes me and buries me...but I never want to be wrong.”
• Cast train annually at the Illinois Fire Service Institute with real firefighters, valuing the mutual respect and camaraderie.
  • David emphasizes how much he appreciates and admires real first responders.
    • Quote (David Eigenberg, 20:48):
      “First responders don’t get thanked enough in my experience...The 99.9% deserve [focus]. You always focus on the bad...I'm tired of that. Let's focus on the 99.”

The Changing Nature of Service

• [22:08] Reflects somberly on declining interest in public service jobs, urging a return to “service-minded” values.
  • Quote (David Eigenberg, 22:08):
    “We need to get back to a service minded society taking care of each other...The service element has been taking a beating for some reason...But there's just a bit of focus and there'll be a realignment and it'll come back around.”

On Set Antics and Camaraderie

• [29:37] David gives a revealing, comic glimpse into the cast’s actual dynamic—lots of horseplay, “physically aggressive” bonding, and low-grade humor, especially in bunker gear.
• Miranda’s (likely Miranda Rae Mayo) initiation by wrestling David to the ground is told with pride and laughter.

Looking Back and Forward: Herrmann’s Arc and Hopes

• [30:25] Season 13 saw Herrmann try out for chief; David appreciates portraying someone who isn’t always winning or ascending, but just “gets on with it”—resilient, like real firefighters.
  • “Sometimes it’s about just getting on with it when that’s what firefighters and PD are about.”
• [31:44] Brian asks about hopes for Season 14:
  • David trusts the writers but loves Herrmann’s complexity, getting to be “mean, soft, gentle... a cornucopia of things.”
• Favorite and hardest scenes? Loves common room scenes; dreads long monologues.

Rapid Fire (and Playful) Q&A

• Who from another Wolf show would he bring to Chicago Fire?
  • Maggie Lockwood ("Marlene") from Chicago Med—“I love charge nurses. They’re mean. I actually love it.”
• Funniest moment? Accidentally setting off a horn while filming—“I think I called you an idiot...”
• Who would he marry on the show? Violet.
• Who would he fight his last fire with? Mouch—because he’s hilarious.
• Who would he blast with a firehose? Taylor—he’d love it.
  • “He’s a game. Take the beating.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Landing Herrmann:
  “Within seconds, they knew that that was our guy...they found their heart of their show.” – Brian Lucci [04:56]
• Personal connection:
  “I get firefighters because they've been my friends...I get that.” – David Eigenberg [07:29]
• Herrmann’s Motivations:
  “My father was from the Bronx. He was a Jewish Ralph Kramden… that’s kind of an inspiration in a lot of ways…” – David Eigenberg [12:51]
• Defining Scene:
  “You’re seeing people on the worst day of their lives in the real realm, and gotta be a voice of sanity, a moment of humanity for those people...I get young actors, they kind of don’t have a gravity about them yet. And I go, ah, they gotta live.” – David Eigenberg [14:43]
• Physical toll:
  “I snapped my Achilles this year right after I had a hernia operation. And then before that, I had back surgery a couple of years ago.” – David Eigenberg [17:58]
• On laughs and camaraderie:
  “We are physically aggressive with each other, male and female. Not all the time, but we roll around… get in bunker gear. You want to wrestle?” – David Eigenberg [29:37]

Stunt Team Segment ([39:04])

Featuring Rick LeFever Sr. & Jr., Stunt Coordinators

• Rick Sr. and Jr. detail spectacular stunts: full underwater scenes, multi-floor explosions, and full-body burns.
• [39:36] On a daunting water tank sequence:
  “We had the whole cast underwater. All were actually underwater in a tank with a sunken boat, which was a very big challenge. And all the actors nailed it.”
• [40:48] On full burns for Chicago Med:
  “He was fully engulfed in flames, head to toe...runs into a counter. Then he was tackled by me. So that was one I was really proud that we set up.”

Notable, Light-hearted Banter

• [10:41 & 10:55] Recurring jokes about David’s dad stealing money (“He’s dead. He’s passed. I love him dearly. So they can’t get him anymore.”)
• [13:39] Herrmann as “the best paid bartender in all of Chicago.”
• [35:13] David’s Bronx/Naperville connection with Joe Minoso.
• [36:58] “If it was a nipple, you were on it. That's for sure.” (On fire engine mishaps)

Conclusion

This episode is a heartfelt, humorous, and revealing look into the Chicago Fire family—on screen and off. David Eigenberg’s affection for the character of Herrmann is matched only by his gratitude for the real firefighters and public servants who inspire the show. Between war stories, physical struggles, and plenty of horsing around, you get a full portrait of both David and Herrmann: passionate, flawed, funny, and always trying to do right by others.

For More Behind the Scenes:
Follow @OneChicago on Instagram and check out the series on YouTube and NBC.

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