Joseph Barbara

Joe began writing, directing, and acting at the age of thirteen, when his first film, Double Trouble, was featured on the syndicated television show Kidsworld. Joe went on to study film and TV production at Syracuse University, where his projects were often shown as examples to other students. After college, Joe worked as a production assistant for Entertainment Tonight, and continued acting. After starring in the Off-Broadway smash Tony n' Tina's Wedding, Joe was tapped by NBC to star in the daytime drama Another World as Captain Joe Carlino - a role he turned into a cornerstone of the 35 year-old series. A year later, Joe made his Broadway debut as "Danny Zuko" in the hit revival of Grease! For the next six months, he successfully carried a heavy network TV schedule while simultaneously starring in eight shows a week in a Broadway musical. Joe co-hosted the 25th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards with Leeza Gibbons, and was a celebrity judge at the Miss America Pageant. After appearing in several Law and Order(s), independent films, and the Showtime Pilot Hate, Joe created the popular role of Ray Boccino in the wildly popular and controversial video game Grand Theft Auto IV.

In the aftermath of September 11th, Joe moved with his family into Battery Park City, and became a founding member of the neighborhood's Community Emergency Response Team, earning FEMA's Top Gun Award. He's been proud to be an active part of that community's rebuilding process.