Joel Fluellen took some small jobs while he pursued his dream of becoming an actor. After a few appearances on the New York stage, he moved to Hollywood and landed an uncredited role in the film Cabin in the Sky. As an active member of the Screen Actors Guild, Joel fought for more meaningful parts for African-American actors. Although he had no trouble finding work, he was mostly relegated to roles of waiters or servants or taxi drivers. Every so often, Joel managed to get a more substantial part. He played the main character’s brother in The Jackie Robinson Story, a businessman in Raisin in the Sun and James Earl Jones’ coach in The Great White Hope.
Joel continued to act in films and on television into the end of the 1970s. After leaving show business, he continued his efforts for the rights of African-American actors. His actions were instrumental in securing a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for film star Dorothy Dandridge.
In February 1990, his health and vision failing, Joel shot and killed himself in his Los Angeles home. He was 82.