Has two sons, Joe III and Brandon. Both are filmmakers.
Had almost no Hollywood experience when he raised about $500,000 to make Benji, a story about a stray mixed breed who helps rescue two youngsters from kidnappers. The film grossed nearly $40 million ($250 million in today's dollars).
His first paying job was with the McCann Erickson advertising agency in Texas.
Graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1961with a degree in advertising and marketing.