Joe Frank, a multifaceted individual, was born in Strasbourg, Alsace, on the eve of the Second World War to a prosperous family. His father, who had traveled to America to re-establish his successful shoemanufacturing business, sent for his wife and infant son in 1939, thus escaping Europe and the Holocaust.
Frank's father was ill and passed away soon after making the new business a success, leaving Frank a child. The family relocated to New York, where Frank grew up on Long Island. He attended Hofstra University and the Writers Workshop of the University of Iowa, and later taught English at a private high school in Manhattan.
As his interest in radio developed, Frank began producing and starring in radio programs of surreal humor at WBAI, the Pacifica Radio Station in New York, in the late 1970s. This led to his first work for National Public Radio, initially as the weekend anchor for "All Things Considered" and later producing radio plays that showcased his gift for dark, absurdist humor and intensely personal narrative.
By the mid-1980s, Frank had his own radio show at the public radio station in Los Angeles, KCRW, where he produced weekly radio monologues and plays that attracted a loyal following and numerous awards for outstanding achievements in broadcasting. Toward the end of his time at KCRW, his work became increasingly personal and confessional, often dealing with events in his life and those of his collaborators.
Frank's relationship with KCRW ended in 2002, but his archived programs continue to air on national public radio and on his website, which occasionally features originally-produced material. Known for his deep, sonorous voice, Frank occasionally does narration work in film and on television. He has had supporting roles in several movies and has authored and acted in teleplays, such as several episodes of the "Inside Out" series.
Frank's live readings of his stories continue to draw large audiences, showcasing his unique ability to captivate listeners with his distinctive voice and storytelling style.
