As the youngest (he was only 17 years old in 1859), and at 5'11", the shortest Cartwright, Little Joe sometimes seemed like he had a lot to prove. Joe was also the most mischievous and fun-loving of the four Cartwrights. A master at getting others to take part in crazy schemes, especially his brother Hoss, Little Joe added a youthful appeal to the Ponderosa that would otherwise have been lacking.
Unlike his father and older brothers, Joe frequently let his emotions get the better of him. Impulsive and quick-tempered, Little Joe had his share of both fistfights and sudden romances. Not as ruggedly handsome as his older brother Adam, Joe could nonetheless rely on his seemingly innocent good looks, curly brown hair and green eyes – and of course his charismatic self-assurance – when it came to charming the ladies. The only son to marry, in true Cartwright fashion, Little Joe’s wife died shortly afterwards.