Joel Fluellen started his journey in the world of acting by appearing in a variety of films. Among his early works were roles in White Pongo (1945), the crime drama Force of Evil (1948), which starred John Garfield, and His Kind of Woman (1951), where he shared the screen with Robert Mitchum. Joel continued to build his film presence with appearances in Perils of the Jungle (1953), Jungle Gents (1954), alongside Leo Gorcey, and the prison drama Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954), featuring Neville Brand.

Throughout the 1950s, Fluellen remained active in the film industry. He took part in the comedic Oh, Men! Oh, Women! (1957), starring Dan Dailey, the sci-fi horror Monster From Green Hell (1958) with Jim Davis, and the war thriller Run Silent, Run Deep (1958). Another significant role came his way in Sidney Poitier’s dramatic adaptation Porgy and Bess (1959).

As time went on, Joel Fluellen continued to pursue his passion for acting, taking on memorable roles in The Great White Hope (1970), the crime film Thomasine & Bushrod (1974) with Max Julien, and the survival drama Man Friday (1975). He also appeared in the adventure film Casey’s Shadow (1978), starring Walter Matthau, and in the comedy Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979), sharing the screen with William Katt. Later on, Fluellen was also seen in Freedom Road (1979–1980), a television miniseries that added yet another chapter to his long and varied career.

Joel Fluellen passed away in February 1990 at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the craft of acting.