Recent recipient of an MFA in Screenwriting from University of Riverside, Palm Desert. Inspirations include mentor Joshua Malkin, program director Tod Goldberg and his teachers including Mickey Birnbaum and Jill Essbaum. Graduating from Villanova University, he went to New York City and cast in A Midsummer Night's Dream under the direction of Roundabout Theatre's founder Gene Feist. Soon thereafter he worked as a series regular on the Fox show Beetleborgs where he met directors John Putch, Gabe Torres, Bob Hughes, Doug Campbell, Worth Keeter and Jeff Burr. Soon after he worked on Tycus with Dennis Hopper. He worked on the NBC show ER, as well as the TNT show Southland.

He co wrote/directed the micro budget film 818. Having seen it on the big screen, he was inspired by Anthony Giacchino and James Hanlon to go back to school to learn something about writing. He is grateful for his cohorts. Joe Hackett has learned so much from the Lifetime movies has done directed by Doug Campbell..

Joe met his wife doing a Robert Anderson one act at Playhouse West in North Hollywood. Joe Hackett is very happy to be the Dad incredible children.