Joe Camp, ‘Benji’ Franchise Creator, Dies at 84

The death of the beloved dog stories’ writer, director and producer was announced by his son

Benji (L) and Joe Camp attend the Los Angeles premiere of the new Netflix film Benji on March 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matthew Simmons/Getty Images for Netflix)
Joe Camp at the LA premiere of the new Netflix reboot "Benji" (Getty Images)

Joe Camp — writer, producer and director of the “Benji” film and television franchise — has died at the age of 84.

Brandon Camp, son of the creator and a filmmaker in his own right, confirmed his father’s death to multiple media outlets. Joe Camp died at his home in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, surrounded by his family.

“Benji” was the stage name for the dog that starred in the stories created by Camp, comparable to Lassie and Old Yeller. The first film came out in 1974, self-distributed and produced by the creative force.

Camp also cowrote “Hawmps!” (1976), a comedy about the U.S.

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