Joe Napolitano, ‘Quantum Leap,’ ‘X-Files’ Director Dies at 67
Variety
By Lamarco McClendon
July 26, 2016
Joe Napolitano, the TV director known for his work on “Quantum Leap” and “The X-Files,” passed away on July 23 in Los Angeles after losing his battle with cancer. He was 67.
Napolitano’s career in directing and producing spanned over thirty-four years and his television credits numbered over forty episodes of prime time dramas, including “Picket Fences,” “Northern Exposure,” “E.R.” and “Boston Public.”
He directed 12 episodes of “Quantum Leap” between 1990 and 1992, four episodes of “JAG” between 1995 and 1997 and two episodes of “The X-Files” series in 1993 and 1994.
In addition to television, Joe served as first assistant director on such classic Hollywood films as “Scarface,” “Parenthood,” “Throw Momma From the Train,” “The Fisher King,” “The Untouchables,” “Body Double,” “Blow Out,” and “The Pope of Greenwich Village.”
During this time, he worked with such directors as Brian Hutton, Danny DeVito, Stuart Rosenberg, Donald P. Bellisario, Ron Howard, Howard Zieff, Terry Gilliam, Antoine Fuqua, and on multiple projects directed by Brian De Palma.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and two children, Michael and Grace.
NAPOLITANO, Joe (Joseph Ralph Napolitano)
Born: 11/22/1948, New York City, New York, U.S.A.
Died: 7/23/2016, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Joe Napolitano’s western – director:
The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. (TV) - 1993