Joseph Proctor (May 7, 1816 – October 2, 1897) was a popular 19th-century American actor.

He was best known for playing the lead role in the melodrama Nick of the Woods.

Commencing on May 6, 1839, at the Bowery Theatre in New York, he took the lead role of Nathan Slaughter (and Jibbenainosay) in Nick of the Woods (Proctor actually played six roles in the play, which was usually an advertised feature of his performances.)

[3][4][5] Proctor performed throughout the United States and did some theater management.

He retired from the stage in the 1880s, except for occasional benefit appearances.