"Joe Camp, Writer and Director of 'Benji' Films, Passes Away at 84"
Joe Camp, the creator, director, and writer of the "Benji" films, passed away at the age of 84 at his home in Bell Buckle, Tenn. Camp, who had little Hollywood experience, raised funds to make the first "Benji" film and later formed his own distribution company to release it. The success of "Benji" led to sequels, a TV series, and a Christmas special. Camp was also an animal lover and best-selling author, known for his book "The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd." He is survived by his wife, two sons, and step-children.