Joel Thomas Ashley was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Alsie Ashley and Beulah Mariah Rodgers, the daughter of Joel Thomas Rodgers and Laura Mariah Jones. He was a precocious student who attended Georgia Military Academy, Peekskill (New York) Military Academy, and graduated from Black Foxe Military Academy in Los Angeles, California, at the remarkable age of 16.
Ashley's passion for the performing arts led him to attend the University of Southern California and the American Academy of Dramatic Art, but he did not complete his studies as he landed a role in a Broadway play at the tender age of 17. This marked the beginning of his illustrious career on the Great White Way, where he went on to appear in eight Broadway productions, including two notable roles as Abraham Lincoln in "Prologue to Glory" and "War President."
Among his numerous stage credits, Ashley starred in "Sun Field" and "Catherine Was Great" alongside the legendary Mae West, and toured with esteemed actresses Kay Francis and Elisabeth Bergner. He also appeared in numerous summer stock productions, solidifying his reputation as a talented and versatile performer.
As television began to emerge as a major medium, Ashley transitioned to the small screen, appearing in live dramatic anthology series such as "Studio One" and television plays sponsored by prominent brands like Hallmark, Kraft, Philco, Lux, and US Rubber. His smooth voice also lent itself to radio soap operas and dramas, including "The Shadow," and live television drama series, such as "Captain Video."
In the 1950s, Ashley made the move to Hollywood, where he landed a role in the epic film "The Ten Commandments" as a slave driver. He went on to appear in a wide range of films, including "Tension at Table Rock," "Wild in the Streets," "Ghost Town," "Broken Star," and "The Great Locomotive Chase," many of which continue to air on cable television to this day.
Throughout his career, Ashley also made numerous guest appearances on popular television series, including "Gunsmoke," for which he won an Emmy Award, as well as "Have Gun Will Travel," "Death Valley Days," "Wagon Train," "Cisco Kid," and "The Lone Ranger." In addition to his acting credits, Ashley was an active member of the Masquer's Club, where he served as chairman of the Theatre Committee for many years and directed and acted in several productions, including "Othello" and "Inherit the Wind."
Ashley's personal life was marked by two marriages. His first wife, Margalo Francis Wilson, was the daughter of Francis Wilson, the founding president of Actor's Equity, and Edna Bruns, his former leading lady. They had two daughters together before her passing in 1960. In 1961, Ashley married Erna Maria Rade, a former resident of Leipzig, Germany, who died in 1984. He was also in a long-term relationship with Connie Egan, who passed away in 1998.
At the time of his passing, Ashley was survived by his daughter, Margalo Ashley-Farrand, J.D., and her children, Marc Alexander Bennett and Aliza Margalo Bennett, as well as the children of his deceased daughter, Laurel Mariah Ashley Petersen, Ph.D., including Joel C. Petersen, Ryan Petersen, and Ashley Sarah Petersen, and her stepsons, Matthew and Timothy Petersen.
A memorial service was held on May 13, 2000, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Hollywood, California, with donations to The Actors Fund of America requested in lieu of flowers.
