Joe Gayton was a renowned figure in the world of television, best known for his role as co-creator, co-writer, and co-showrunner of the critically acclaimed American-Canadian western series Hell on Wheels, which aired on the AMC network for a successful five-season run. Set in the post-Civil War Reconstruction era of 1865, the show explored the construction of the first transcontinental railroad and the accompanying mobile tent settlement, offering a unique blend of historical drama and gripping storytelling.
Gayton's fascination with this era was evident in his own words, as he described the idea behind the show, "we thought it would be really intriguing to take what ostensibly is a Western and set it against that backdrop, just because of the great different types of characters, the greed and rapaciousness that were going on, because of all that it meant to this country and all that it meant to the Native Americans."
Gayton's screenwriting career spanned over four decades, with his first film credit coming in 1983 for the wartime action film Uncommon Valor. He then went on to work exclusively with his brother Tony Gayton, with whom he formed a formidable writing partnership. Their collaboration began with the crime drama Southern Comfort in 2006, followed by the action thrillers The Shepherd in 2008 and Faster in 2010, starring Dwayne Johnson and Billy Bob Thornton. The latter film grossed a respectable $35.6 million at the box office.
Sadly, Joe Gayton passed away on May 14, 2023, at the age of 66, after a battle with prostate cancer. His legacy lives on through his impressive body of work, including his contributions to the world of television and film.
