Joe Higgins was a renowned American character actor, most notably recognized for his portrayal of a sheriff in various commercials and public service announcements throughout his illustrious career.
As a child actor, Higgins began his profession at the tender age of nine, and his passion for the craft only grew stronger as he progressed. During his university days at the University of Dayton in Ohio, he concurrently honed his skills in radio broadcasting, laying the groundwork for his future success.
Higgins' transition to television was seamless, with recurring roles on esteemed series such as "The Rifleman" in 1958 and "Arrest and Trial" in 1963. However, it was his 1969 automobile commercial as a gravel-voiced sheriff that catapulted him to stardom, garnering widespread popularity and cementing his status as a household name.
The iconic sheriff character became an integral part of Higgins' repertoire, with the actor reprising the role in numerous commercials, print ads, and public appearances, earning him two prestigious CLIO awards for commercial actors.
Beyond his impressive acting career, Higgins also pursued higher education, earning a Ph.D. in Aviation Education from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Tragically, his life was cut short in 1998, and a memorial service was held at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills. In accordance with his wishes, his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean off the channel Islands north of Los Angeles by his loving children, Brian and Valerie.
