Joe Maggard's life journey began in the small Appalachian coal-town of Lynch, Kentucky, where he was born. At the tender age of five, his family relocated to southeastern North Carolina, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
As a teenager, Joe's life took an unexpected turn when, at the age of 16, he dove into a local lake and suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, breaking his neck. This life-altering event led to nearly a year of hospitalization, with two metal spikes drilled into his skull and being confined to a foster-frame. Despite being paralyzed for a period, Joe eventually regained the use of his legs.
Following his recovery, Joe enlisted in the US Army, serving from 1974 to 1976 during the final days of the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he embarked on a new career path, becoming a Deputy Sheriff with the Brunswick County North Carolina Sheriff's Dept. It was during his time as a law enforcement officer that Joe discovered his passion for acting, taking to the stage at historic Thalian Hall in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Joe's critically acclaimed one-man show, Rattlesnake in a Cooler, was a testament to his talent, and he went on to appear in over 20 legitimate theater productions, including Mr. Roberts and Oklahoma. His remarkable journey took an unexpected turn when Dino De Laurentiis, a renowned film producer, came to Wilmington in the mid-1980s and built a movie studio with his future wife Martha De Laurentiis. Joe worked as Security on De Laurentiis's first feature film, Stephen King's Firestarter.
Feeling inspired, Joe left law enforcement to pursue his dream of acting in films and television. Over the next few years, he worked on numerous feature films, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry. He credits his theater background with honing his acting skills and providing him with the opportunity to practice in front of live audiences.
Joe's first speaking role came in a film directed by Mike Hodges, Black Rainbow, starring Jason Robards and Rosanna Arquette. During the mid-1990s, he was hired to double as the iconic clown Ronald McDonald in television commercials. When the original Ronald McDonald fell ill, Joe was asked to step into the role, and he eventually signed a covenant with McDonald's Worldwide.
His critically acclaimed mockumentary, Ronald, was a massive hit on the film festival circuit. Joe is now retired and enjoys a variety of hobbies, including playing music, painting, poker, and gardening.
