Joe Bevilacqua, also known as Joe Bev, is a multifaceted individual with a career spanning various aspects of show business, including radiotheater, stage, film, and television, as a producer, director, writer, actor, and cartoonist.
At the age of 12, Bevilacqua created his first audio story, Willoughby and the Professor, using a cassette recorder his father bought him in 1971. He acted all the voices himself, showcasing his early talent.
In 1975, Daws Butler, the voice of Yogi Bear and many Hanna-Barbera and Jay Ward cartoon characters, became Joe Bev's personal mentor after hearing a 120-minute cassette of Bev's Willoughby improvisations.
Since 1980, Bevilacqua has produced numerous award-winning radio programs for National Public Radio, Sirius XM Radio, and others.
In 2012, Bevilacqua signed an exclusive distribution deal with Blackstone Audio, releasing hundreds of hours of audio documentaries, comedies, dramas, autobiographies, and more.
Not content to stay behind the microphone, Bevilacqua has acted in several upcoming feature films, including "The Green Blade Rises," "The Fly Room," "Cold in July," and "Hits."
Joe Bev is known for his impressive vocal range, able to do hundreds of voices, dialects, and impressions. For the film "The Fly Room," he not only portrayed the on-screen character of Uncle Dwight but also acted as vocal coach to the cast during the entire shoot and wrote, produced, and voiced audio soundbeds in the style of old-time radio.
On stage, Bevilacqua has played various roles, including Martin Dysart in "Equus," and has toured as Bud Abbott to Bob Greenberg's Lou Costello in "A Tribute to Bud & Lou." He will also portray Jimmy Durante in the October 2013 production of "Coney Island Criminals."
Bevilacqua has authored several books, including "Daws Butler Characters Actor" and "Uncle Dunkle and Donnie."
He received the 2013 Kean University Distinguished Alumni Award and has won several awards for his documentaries and radio programs, including the New York Festivals Award and the National Federation of Community Broadcasters Award.
Joe Bev produces and hosts four podcasts per week: "The Jazz-O-Rama Hour," "Cartoon Carnival," "The Comedy-O-Rama Hour," and "The Joe Bev Experience." Sound Stages Radio also airs two unique Joe Bev Audio Theater shows per week.
