Here is the biography of Joe Michael Terry:
Joe Michael Terry is a multi-talented individual who has worked in various capacities in the entertainment industry. Born on October 23, 1954, in Philadelphia, he is an identical twin to Artist Alan F. Terry. Joe's early life was marked by a move to Southern Florida with his mother after his parents' divorce. He attended private Catholic schools and later graduated from Deerfield Beach High School.
Joe's interest in acting began in high school, where he starred in some performances. He went on to study International Relations at Loretto Heights College in Denver, Colorado, under the guidance of U.S. Marine Colonel Francis James Kelly. However, his plans were altered when his partner, Don Laney, encouraged him to act in a one-act play, which led to a scholarship to the Debbie Reynolds School for Acting in Hollywood, California.
Joe's acting career took off, with small parts in television shows and films, including "Cannery Row" and "First Monday in October." He eventually became a regular in a failed pilot starring Cloris Leachman and began to emerge in full-length, major motion pictures.
As his acting career progressed, Joe started to get behind the camera, working as a sub-agent for a New York talent agent and later producing several TV commercials with Mickey Rooney. He then formed his own production company, LT Productions, and began working on low-budget films as an associate producer.
Joe's breakthrough came when he co-produced and co-starred in the film "I'm Going to Be Famous," which attracted interest from major studios. He went on to write and develop scripts for some major A-list talent, including Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier and director Irvin Kershner.
In 1991, Joe became the President of the British Film Company, Hammer Films, at Warner Bros., where he was responsible for developing films from the Hammer Film library. However, his tenure was cut short due to his struggles with mental health, including a diagnosis of schizo-affective disorder.
After a decade-long struggle, Joe found the right combination of drugs to manage his condition and has since been living a quiet existence in a West Hollywood condo. He has been active as an advocate for patients dying of AIDS and has volunteered at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Joe believes that depression can be a tool for self-reflection and is now focused on writing and developing film and television products that are meaningful.
Although he has stepped away from acting and producing, Joe remains hopeful that he will find a way to help people with mental illness and is open to expanding his horizons.
