Born in Owensboro but grew up in Drakesboro, Kentucky. His childhood was spent playing sports, hunting and fishing with his father. Occasionally Joel would help out on the family farm but he knew that was not where his future would lead. He always dreamed of being an actor but never thought of it seriously until college. While attending classes at Murray State University he decided that after graduation he would move to Los Angeles. So in the classic story he loaded up his jalopy car and left in the darkness of early morning. Two days later he arrived in Hollywood in July of 2001. After only seven months he landed a part in Catch Me If You Can (2002) alongside Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom Hanks and was directed by Steven Spielberg.