Joe Epperson, a digicam operator who introduced TV reveals like Full Home, and The Tonight Present to audiences, has died.
The 80-year-old died of cardiac arrest at Southwest Basic Well being Heart in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, on Saturday, June 28, in line with The Hollywood Reporter.
Epperson operated cameras on All within the Household from 1975 to 1979, The Jeffersons from 1976 to 1982, and Full Home from 1987 to 1995. He had a 15-year run on The Tonight Present, beginning originally of Jay Leno’s run as host in 1992.
He was additionally a constitution member of the Society of Digital camera Operators, a director on the group’s board, and a 1995 recipient of its lifetime achievement award.
Joe Epperson, Digital camera Operator on ‘The Tonight Present’ and ‘Full Home,’ Dies at 80 https://t.co/aPLyZBpVvl
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 29, 2025
“Joe will get the massive image,” cinematographer Steven Poster mentioned in 1995, per THR. “He doesn’t characterize himself as both a lighting director or digicam operator. He describes himself as a part of the crew with a duty to the viewers. Each director needs individuals like Joe on their crew, as a result of that is all about teamwork and collaboration.”
Epperson was born on February 9, 1945, in Camden, New Jersey, and raised in Berea, Ohio, the son of a chief engineer on the Cleveland TV station WEWS. He bought his schooling from Berea Excessive Faculty and Ohio College and did a tour of obligation with the U.S. Military from 1966 to 1969. On the skilled entrance, Epperson bought his begin at WEWS and fellow Cleveland TV station WUAB earlier than shifting to Los Angeles and dealing at KTTV.
Amongst different credit, Epperson labored on TV specials and live shows starring Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, The Chicks, Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones, and Elton John. He bought Primetime Emmy nominations for his work on a 1982 live performance particular that includes Rod Stewart, a 1983 particular with Sheena Easton, and a 2000 particular with Cher.
Epperson and his spouse, Patty, have been highschool sweethearts who met in 1959, bought collectively in 1961, and tied the knot in 1966. He’s additionally survived by his and Patty’s daughters, Amanda and Rebecca, and their grandchildren, Jaquelyn, Kirsten, Isabella, and Joseph.