Joe Farago
American actor and stuntman (1948–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Michael Farago (January 28, 1948 – March 23, 2025) was an American actor, stuntman, game show host, and television personality. His movie roles include The Terminator[1] and The Abyss[2] (directed by James Cameron) and The Rookie[3] (directed by Clint Eastwood). Stunt work included Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,[4] and I, the Jury.[5] Farago also costarred in Seinfeld,[6] Married... with Children,[7] and Coach.[8]
In 1985, he replaced Gene Rayburn as the host of the game show Break the Bank, having previously appeared as a celebrity guest three times during the show's first two weeks. He hosted more than 160 episodes as well as the 1990-91 HBO comedy show Night Rap with guests including Timothy Leary, Ed Koch, G. Gordon Liddy and Mel Brooks.
Farago appeared as a host for QVC as well as acting/hosting roles and voice work for dozens of radio/TV commercials including McDonald's, GT Xpress, Xpress Redi Set Go, Q Grill The True Sleeper, T-Fal cookware and The Bissell Big Green Clean Machine. He hosted 35 infomercials seen in more than 70 countries around the world, topping over 1 billion in infomercial sales.
In 2001, after the September 11 attacks, Farago became a firefighter in Idaho. When asked why he left Hollywood to become a firefighter, Joe simply responded, ‘Well, I never pulled up to a burning building and had someone say, “Thank God, an actor showed up!"[9]
As a member of a Type II incident management team, Farago deployed to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and served as a Public Information Officer on several large western wildfires. Farago taught at the Florida Fire College and as a member of the Emergency Management Institute instructor team, involved in the Master Public Information Officer course pilot programs for FEMA.[9]
With his experience as a radio news director, as well as careers in public relations and mass marketing, he was a mentor to many along his path.
Joe Farago was married to Sheri Farago, until his passing in Florida on March 23, 2025, at the age of 77.[10][9]
Filmography
Joe Farago Film resume included The Terminator (1984), The Abyss (1989), The Rookie (1990), Guilty as Charged (1991), Silent Rage (1982) and acting/stunt work in I, the Jury (1982) and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991).[11]
Farago also appeared in television series such as Seinfeld (1991), Coach (1990) and Married... with Children (1989). He anchored the comedy series Night Rap from 1990-1991 and costarred in T. J. Hooker (1985). Other television appearances include Quantum Leap (1989), L.A. Law (1991), Adam-12 (1990), Perry Mason, From the Earth to the Moon (1998) and Knots Landing.[12]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Raider Stone | ||
| 1982 | Silent Rage | Emergency Room Doctor | |
| 1982 | I, the Jury | Assistant Director | Stunts |
| 1984 | The Terminator | TV Anchorman | |
| 1989 | The Abyss | Anchorman | |
| 1990 | The Rookie | Anchorman | |
| 1991 | Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country | Excelsior crewmember | Stunts |
| 1991 | Guilty as Charged | Packing Plant Manager |
