Acting and music have been in Joe’s blood since childhood. Onstage performances started at age 7, and continued through High School. Theater productions and garage bands fueled his constant creative energy, and laid the tracks for what would become a lifetime of expression.

As a singer-songwriter during the 80’s and 90’s, Joe performed music with his bands at venues all over the world. He enjoyed a publishing deal with Virgin Music America, as well as a record deal with Capitol Records in Hollywood.

Music led to Musical-theater, and that ignited his acting fire! In 1995. Joe was nominated for the Los Angeles Masque Award for Best Actor in a Comedy for his portrayal of Vito Antonucci in“P.S. Your Cat is Dead” at the Kentwood Theater.

As a character actor Joe has the ability to find himself in any role he takes, and then to bring that character to life in a way that inspires and impacts the viewer.

Although notorious for playing tough guys, Joe has a gentle nature that comes through in his portrayals of men from all walks of life. “Raw, real, gritty, and intense”are a few adjectives applied to Joe’s work; as well as “hilarious, quick, and possessing incredible comedic timing”.

“You can have the leading man, I’ll take the great character every time!”
-  Joe Altieri