Joseph Evan "Joe" Perkins is a fictional character from the American soap opera Santa Barbara.

[4] The serial opens with Joe's release from prison, and it is established that he was accused of murdering a member of the Capwell family five years prior.

[7] Jon-Michael Reed of the Philadelphia Daily News later reported that Witherspoon's portrayal of Joe had not been living up to the writers' expectations.

"[10] Their wedding night is interrupted by the killer, who kidnaps Kelly and is revealed to be her former fiancé Peter Flint (Stephen Meadows).

Kelly's fiancé Peter Flint is jealous of their friendship and decides to do whatever he can to get rid of Joe, even going so far as planting drugs on his bike.

He is approached by a man named Dominic (Rosemary Forsyth; Judith McConnell) who helps him to prove that he did not kill Channing.

Joe's father dies in the earthquake, and Dominic reveals that she is actually Sophia Capwell, Kelly's mother who was presumed dead.

John N. Goudas of The Miami News believed the younger characters should be credited with the show's success and singled out Joe in particular.

Goudas wrote: "At the outset, Joe Perkins carries the soaper, the sneered-upon hero, the good guy who must prove himself.

"[4] On Witherspoon's departure from the soap, Jon-Michael Reed of the Philadelphia Daily News believed that the actor's intensity overwhelmed to the point that there was "no room for levity or humor" in his performance.

[8] Reed noted that Witherspoon had become a "heartthrob" during his time on the show, and stated "it's a skittish or foolish producer who chooses to rock the fan boat so soon in SB's three-month history.