Established himself on radio beginning in May 1940 with "Pepper Young's Family", and later including "Mr. District Attorney," "March of Time" and "Gangbusters". He was inducted into the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters Diamond Circle on May 17, 1985. He also did numerous Italian-language broadcasts.
Has two sons: David (from his first marriage) and Christopher (from his second).
In 1949 he married second wife Margaret Draper, also an actress, whom he met while both were playing parts on the "Pepper Young's Family" radio show. They had one son, Christopher, and divorced in 1956. Joe then relocated to California to pursue TV and films.
Joe became known as a skilled character actor who could work convincing with many dialect characters and was a perennially suave heavy.
Of humble beginnings, he was born in Buffalo to Italian immigrant parents. His father, Pasquale DeSantis, was a tailor and his mother, Maria Paoli, worked in a paper flower factory.
Studied sculpture and drama at New York University, his first performances were in Italian.
Was an active member of the Players' Club in New York, and the Masquers' Club in Los Angeles.
While playing a role with Frank Sinatra, an idol of his, on the made-for-TV movie Contract on Cherry Street (1977) (TV), Sinatra remarked to Joe that he "should have played the Godfather." Joe cherished this comment to the end of his days.