When fans think of David Eigenberg, they picture the wisecracking, fiercely loyal firefighter Christopher Herrmann on Chicago Fire. For over a decade, he’s embodied the role of family man and veteran, a character who’s as dependable in the firehouse as he is at home. But once the cameras stop rolling, Eigenberg trades his TV firehouse for the warmth of his real-life family in Chicago—a family story filled with instant sparks, military ties, and the everyday joys (and chaos) of parenthood.
From Marines to Meet-Cute: How David Met Chrysti
Before he was part of One Chicago, David Eigenberg served in the Marines. His time in uniform unexpectedly led to his greatest role yet—husband.
In the wake of 9/11, Chrysti Eigenberg, then an Army specialist on homeland security duty in Virginia, crossed paths with the actor. For Eigenberg, it was love at first sight.
“I met her; it just hit me,” he shared in a 2021 interview. “That had never happened to me before. Meeting my wife was something I never anticipated.”
Their whirlwind romance turned into marriage in 2002. As Eigenberg put it years later: “We got married real quick—not because she was pregnant or anything—but because I knew she was the girl.”
A Chicago Homecoming—With a Twist
While many Hollywood couples plant roots in Los Angeles, David and Chrysti chose the Midwest. For Eigenberg, who grew up in Naperville, Illinois, the move back to Chicagoland was a full-circle moment.
Convincing Chrysti, however, wasn’t easy. “She got one taste of the winter here and said, ‘I’ll move anywhere with you for your job, but don’t make me move back to Chicago,’” Eigenberg laughed.
But fate had other plans. When he landed Chicago Fire in 2012, the family found themselves braving the icy Windy City winters once again. Even during a tough season—Chrysti was pregnant during one particularly brutal winter in a second-floor walk-up with two dogs—the couple persevered. Now, Chicago is where their family thrives.
Meet the Eigenberg Kids
David and Chrysti are proud parents of two:
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Louie Steven Eigenberg – Born January 19, 2009, Louie made David a first-time dad. A rare family photo once showed the little boy gazing thoughtfully at the ocean waves—his dad captioned it simply, “Super cool.”
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Myrna Belle Eigenberg – The family grew again on January 31, 2014, with the arrival of daughter Myrna. For David, the moment was life-changing. “My children are the gift that I never dreamed of happening,” he said.
Both kids have enjoyed special moments in the spotlight—most memorably when they joined their dad on the pitcher’s mound to throw the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game. Still, the Eigenbergs keep family life mostly private, focusing on everyday joys away from Hollywood’s glare.
Parallels Between Herrmann and David
It’s no coincidence that fans see glimpses of David in his character Herrmann. Both are hardworking, family-oriented, and grounded. Like Herrmann, David is also a veteran, deeply connected to his community, and navigating life with hearing loss—something Chicago Fire wove into Herrmann’s storyline in Season 12.
Yet while Herrmann has a brood of five kids on the show, Eigenberg has two—just enough to keep him busy when he hangs up the firefighter gear.
Life Beyond the Firehouse
When he’s not on set, Eigenberg’s priorities are simple: family first. He has openly admitted that he’s happiest in his off-duty role as husband and dad. Whether it’s braving Chicago winters, supporting his kids’ milestones, or sharing quiet family moments, Eigenberg thrives in his personal life as much as in his career.
As he once told West Suburban Living: “I love it here. I love the people of Chicago. It’s about working-class people—which is pretty much what I come from—and the love of being smart alecks, and hardworking, and taking care of people the best you can.”
The Bottom Line: Firehouse and Family
For fans, David Eigenberg will always be Herrmann—the firehouse’s moral compass, comic relief, and emotional core. But off-screen, he’s just as inspiring: a husband who knew instantly he’d met “the girl,” a father who cherishes every moment with his children, and a Chicagoan who returned home to raise his family in the city that shaped him.
At the end of the day, whether he’s on set or off duty, one thing is clear—family is David Eigenberg’s favorite role.
