Joseph Behar was heavyweight director in daytime drama having worked on both Days of our Lives and General Hospital and now comes word of his passing. Behar passed away on June 26th at the age of 94.

According to his obit, he died at his home in Manhattan Beach, California.

Joe spent the the bulk of his career directing Days of Our Lives and General Hospital.  He actually directed the pilot episode of General Hospital back in 1963, then came back the ABC daytime drama series 30 years later to direct it for more than 10 more years,.

Along the way, he won 5 Daytime Emmys for his work on GH, and had won six overall throughout his career. He continued directing until his retirement back in 2005.

Behar’s career started on the Ernie Kovacs Show and he also directed Let’s Make a Deal. and more.

Photo: JPI

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn and his sons, Jeffrey, Steven and Greg Behar and his grandchildren, Alex, Mallory, Niko and Lydia.

Watch an interview with Joe via the TV Academy on his career including working with Frances Reid (Ex-Alice, DAYS), the pace of directing in daytime and more below.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Joe and his family in the comment section.

The digital drama, The Bay, won big tonight at the final ceremony for this year’s 48th annual Daytime Emmys.

On Sunday, NATAS revealed the winners in the Daytime Fiction & Lifestyle Programming categories hosted by Loni Love and streamed on their OTT App and online.

Within the mixed-bag of categories were the actors very familiar to soap audience who were competing from the streaming digital dramas including The Bay and Studio City.

Former Days of our Lives star, Mike. Manning (Ex-Charlie Dale) won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Fiction Series for his performance as Caleb in The Bay.

Following his moving acceptance speech about the series shedding light on same-sex wedding and the LGBTQ community, Manning took to Twitter to add: “I didn’t expect this. I’m still in shock. Thank you everyone who had a hand in getting me here! The producers, the fans, @TheBaytheSeries team, my family, I love you all!! Thank you x1000″

Meanwhile, for his portrayal of dual roles of Peter and Adam on The Bay, Kristos Andrews picked up another Emmy for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Fiction Series.  This is his fourth win for his acting work on the digital drama series, but he has also received four more as one of the main producer of The Bay.  Andrews’ on-screen scene partner, Karrueche Tran, took home the gold for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Fiction Series for her performance as Vivian.

In the Younger Performer category, Chiara D’ Ambrosio of The Bay and the former Summer Newman of Y&R, won for her work.

For the complete list of winners from the ceremony click here.

So, what do you think of the performer winners from the digital dramas at tonight’s Daytime Emmys? Let us know in the comment section below.

I didn’t expect this. I’m still in shock. Thank you everyone who had a hand in getting me here! The producers, the fans, @TheBaytheSeries team, my family, I love you all!! Thank you x1000. #DaytimeEmmys https://t.co/THvuNSMRJA pic.twitter.com/A5R8orBdRN

— Mike Manning (@mike_manning_) July 19, 2021

After speculation that Jerry O’Connell would become the first male host to join the ladies on The Talk, today it became official.

O’Connell will join the CBS afternoon series other hosts: Sheryl Underwood, Elaine Welteroth and Amanda Kloots as a permanent host.

Jerry will will appear on the show for the remainder of the week before taking a break until the end of the month due to a previous film commitment. He’ll join The Talk full-time for its upcoming 12th season this fall.

In a video, O’Connell shared on the announcement:   “It’s real exciting.  First of all, I want to say, you ladies have been so welcoming to me. I mean, I came here as a guest months ago, and just from the moment I walked in, you’re just gracious, you’re kind, you’re fun, and it worked. And here we are. We’re going to have a lot of fun, we really are.”  At the end of today’s episode, he expressed: “I’m excited to be a part of the family.”

In a statement, The Talk’s executive producers Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews expressed, “We are beyond thrilled Jerry O’Connell is our new host. We loved his infectious enthusiasm, humor, openness and insights as a guest co-host and look forward to him now bringing those dynamic qualities to the show every day. As an accomplished actor, devoted husband and father, Jerry will bring a unique and entertaining perspective to the conversation.”

O’Connell takes over the seat that for 11 seasons belonged to Sharon Osbourne who left the series amid controversy.

Watch below how The Talk made Jerry an official member of the family with this spoof on “Rocky” to “Eye of the Tiger”.

Now that it’s a done deal, are you excited for Jerry to co-host The Talk? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

🚨NEW HOST ALERT🚨
Join us in welcoming @MrJerryOC to The Talk family 🙌 pic.twitter.com/agEbTwagJL

— The Talk (@TheTalkCBS) July 14, 2021