Joseph Stern (born September 3, 1940) is an American film, theater and television producer and actor.As an actor, he played the role of Tom Hale on the CBS soap opera Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing. He appeared in a 1977 episode of the crime drama The Feather and Father Gang.Stern is best known for producing such films and television series as Law & Order, Cagney & Lacey, Judging Amy, Dad and No Man's Land.Stern is also the founder of The Matrix Theatre Company.