A native Chicagoan, Joseph 'Jo' started his own film production company, D-Bar Film Productions, in 1969. With a passion for storytelling, he went on to produce, direct, write, edit, and act in over 200 short and feature films and video productions, showcasing his versatility as a creative force in the industry.
Some of his notable works include the 1978 film "Borcca Morcca" and the 1986 film "Beyond the Edge", which marked a significant milestone in his career. His first major production appearance was as a criminal in the Bryan Forbes film, "The Naked Face", in 1984.
Jo received training under the renowned Del Close at ImprovOlympics in Chicago, honing his skills in improvisation and comedy. Throughout the 1990s, he appeared in a handful of TV and film productions, taking a hiatus from acting.
However, in 2010, Jo returned to acting with renewed enthusiasm, delivering standout performances in "The Clown Dies at Midnight" (2017),"Mentis" (2017),and "On the Hunt" (2018). Although he has taken on lead roles in numerous films, he is best known for his work as a 'character' actor, bringing depth and nuance to his characters.