Joseph Behar was a renowned television director who worked on popular shows like Let’s Make a Deal, Days of Our Lives, and General Hospital. He won five Daytime Emmy Awards for his outstanding direction and left a lasting legacy in the industry. But how did he die and what was his life story? Here is a brief overview of Joseph Behar’s cause of death and biography.
## Early Life and Career
Joseph Behar was born on September 30, 1926, in Harlem, New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and started a newspaper for the troops in Japan. After his discharge, he took a class in television production and landed a job as a cameraman and director at WPTZ-TV in Philadelphia. There, he worked with the famous comedian Ernie Kovacs on several local programs, including a two-hour weekday morning show that preceded the Today show.
In the 1950s, Behar moved to Los Angeles and reunited with Kovacs on various network shows. He also directed episodes of the NBC daytime sci-fi show Atom Squad, the soap opera The Greatest Gift, and the travelogue series Wide Wide World. He also directed the pilot for General Hospital in 1963, which became one of the longest-running soap operas in history.
## Let’s Make a Deal and Days of Our Lives
Behar’s most notable work was on the game show Let’s Make a Deal, hosted by Monty Hall. He directed the show from 1963 to 1977, including the pilot. He was known for capturing the contestants’ reactions and creating a lively atmosphere. He once said that he was “a wiz at getting it the first time” and that he never missed a reaction.
Behar also directed the soap opera Days of Our Lives from its debut in 1965 until 1987. He was responsible for shaping the show’s style and tone, as well as introducing many iconic characters and storylines. He worked with actors like Susan Seaforth Hayes, Bill Hayes, Deidre Hall, and John Aniston. He won his first Daytime Emmy Award for directing Days of Our Lives in 1978.
## Later Years and Retirement
Behar came out of retirement in 1995 to return to General Hospital, where he stayed until 2005. He won four more Daytime Emmy Awards for his direction of the show, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of America in 2004. He retired for good at the age of 79, after directing more than 10,000 hours of television.
Behar was married twice in his life. His first wife was Joy Behar, the comedian and co-host of The View. They were married from 1965 to 1981 and had a daughter, Eve Behar Scotti. His second wife was Carolyn Behar, whom he married in 1968 and remained with until his death. He also had four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
## Joseph Behar Cause of Death
According to his wife, Behar died peacefully on June 26, 2021, at his home in Manhattan Beach, California. He was 94 years old. The cause of death was not revealed, but it was likely due to his advanced age. He was a healthy man with high immunity power, according to his family. He lived more than an average lifespan and enjoyed a fulfilling career and personal life.
Joseph Behar was a legend in the television industry and a pioneer in the genres of game shows and soap operas. He influenced generations of directors and actors with his vision and skill. He will be remembered as a talented, passionate, and generous man who loved his work and his family. He was a true master of his craft and a joy to watch.
