Remembering Joseph “Joe” Dea: A Pioneer in Visual Arts and Television

Joseph “Joe” Dea, a visionary music video director, reality TV director, and four-time Emmy winner, passed away on Sunday at the age of 71 after battling glioblastoma in Alameda, California.

Dea’s passion for merging painting and cinematic techniques was sparked during his time at the University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School. He was an early adopter of cutting-edge visual technology and his video art captivated audiences at prestigious venues such as the Whitney Museum, The Kitchen, and Global Village in New York. Dea later joined The Optic Nerve, a video collective in San Francisco, where he continued to push the boundaries of visual storytelling.

As a founding member of Videowest, Dea played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of comedy, music videos, and alternative news production. His creative contributions to shows like USA’s “TakeOFF,” ABC’s “Backstage Pass,” and MTV’s music news left a lasting impact on the industry.

Dea’s talent for conceptualizing and directing music videos led to the creation of over 30 iconic videos, five of which are featured in Rolling Stone Magazine’s All-Time Top 100 Videos. Notable works like Greg Kihn’s “Jeopardy” and Krokus’ “Screaming in the Night” solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. His Emmy-winning video for Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, “Two Triple Cheese, Side Order of Fries,” earned a place in Rolling Stone Magazine’s Music Video Hall of Fame and the Museum of Modern Art.

In the late 1980s, Dea made the move to Los Angeles, where he directed a diverse range of TV episodes across various genres. From documentary to reality TV, live music to animation, his work showcased his versatility and creativity. His credits on network specials for NBC and Fox, as well as his role as senior director on TLC’s “A Wedding Story,” further solidified his status as a respected figure in the television industry.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dea also made appearances on-screen, co-hosting the History Channel’s “What Went Down” and appearing on “The Young and the Restless.” His work was celebrated at the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art and the Museum of Neon Art, highlighting his impact on the visual arts community.

Joseph “Joe” Dea is survived by his wife Melissa Force, stepdaughter Tamara Miller, stepson Dylan Miller, six step-grandchildren, and sisters Elaine Dea and Maureen Dea. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the UCSF Foundation in memory of Joseph C. Dea (7001220).