Joe Gayton

Joe Gayton (c. 1956/1957 – May 14, 2023)[1] was an American writer, director and producer of film and television. He co-created the television series Hell on Wheels (2011–2016) and re-wrote Wings Hauser's original screenplay for Uncommon Valor (1983); He also wrote Bulletproof (1996) and Faster (2010).[2]

Personal life and death

Gayton was married to Jen Winter and had a stepdaughter.[3] His brother is Tony Gayton.[2] He graduated from Merritt Island High School in 1974.[4]

He died on May 14, 2023, after a four-year battle with prostate cancer.[2]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Writer Producer Director
1983 Uncommon Valor Yes No No
1989 Warm Summer Rain Yes No Yes
1991 Shout Yes No No
1994 Chasers[5][6] Uncredited No No
The Cowboy Way[7] Uncredited No No
1995 Mind Ripper No No Yes
1996 Bulletproof Yes No No
1998 Sweet Jane Yes No Yes
2008 The Shepherd: Border Patrol Yes Co-Producer No
2010 Faster Yes Executive No

Television

Year Title Writer Producer Director Notes
2006 Southern Comfort Yes No No Television Film
2011-2016 Hell on Wheels Yes Executive Yes Co-Creator, executive consultant, directed episode "Purged Away with Blood".
2014 The Novice Yes Executive No Television Film

Unrealized projects

Title and Description Ref.
Airtight, co-written with Tony Gayton, a caper pic set in contemporary Florida that would’ve been directed by Neil Burger. [8]
City of Darkness, co-written with Patrick Cirillo, Two young boys bring a comic-book villain and a comic-book hero into the real world. [9]
Con Game, An action heist script about four convicts who pull off a big heist with a perfect alibi. [10]
The Dime, An adaptation of the Kathleen Kent novel of the same name that would’ve been produced by Matt Reeves. [11]
The Englander, co-written with Patrick Cirillo, story is about a refined British detective who is hot on the trail of a murder case that leads him to turn-of-the century Texas. [12]
The Furthest Place, A script co-written with David Schow that would’ve been produced by James Cameron and directed by Rupert Wainwright. [13][14]
Gunmen, About a man who loses his wife in a shootout, decides to take matters into his own hands, and takes on the NRA. Charlton Heston was slated to star. [13]
The Last Mission, co-written with Cade Courtley. Story centers on an ex-Navy SEAL commander whose daughter is taken hostage in the Philippines. When the U.S. government refuses to intervene, he summons his retired SEAL colleagues from Vietnam, now all in their late 50s and 60s, to come to her aid. [15]
Rogues, A project that Andrew Fleming was attached to direct. [16]
Thicker Than Water, a comedy about two brothers in Las Vegas, that would’ve been produced by Jim Kouf and Lynn Bigelow. [17]
Zero Hour, An adaption of the Joseph Finder novel of the same name. [18]

References

  1. ↑ Gomez, Dessi (June 2, 2023). "Joe Gayton, 'Hell on Wheels' Cocreator and 'Faster' Screenwriter, Dies at 66". TheWrap. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Andreeva, Nellie (June 2, 2023). "Joe Gayton Dies: 'Hell On Wheels' Co-Creator & 'Faster' Writer Was 66". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  3. ↑ Schonter, Allison (June 6, 2023). "Joe Gayton, 'Hell on Wheels' Co-Creator, Dead at 66". PopCulture.com. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  4. ↑ Sangalang, Jennifer (October 5, 2015). "Merritt Island grads want to film movie in Brevard". Florida Today. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  5. ↑ "MCP 'Chasers' nabs Hopper". Variety. 1993-03-02. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  6. ↑ "Short Takes". Variety. 1993-05-10. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  7. ↑ "The Cowboy Way". www.academycollection.org. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  8. ↑ "Double Burger feeds Lobell, Warner Bros". Variety. 2002-12-12. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  9. ↑ "FILM: Thrills? Millions? 'Spec' Scripts Bring Big Bids". New York Times. 1990-07-08. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  10. ↑ "Elston Gunn's Weekly Recap". www.aintitcool.com. 2000-10-13. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  11. ↑ "'The Batman' Writer-Director Matt Reeves to Produce Cop Drama From 'Hell on Wheels' Creators at Fox". Variety. 2017-10-03. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  12. ↑ "The Definitive Spec Script Deals List: 1994". www.goingintothrstory.blcklst.com. 2012-06-08. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  13. 1 2 "Movies: Whatever". The Los Angeles Times. 1999-09-05. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  14. ↑ "Fox puts lock on Lightstorm in 5-year reup". Variety. 2001-02-27. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  15. ↑ "Davis Ent. on a 'Mission'". Variety. 2004-11-16. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
  16. ↑ "TenPercenteries". Variety. 1999-12-13. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  17. ↑ "Kouf/Bigelow Expands Slate". Variety. 1991-02-10. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  18. ↑ "Schindler tapped to top Shoelace". Variety. 2000-08-18. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.