| Birth Name: | Joseph Daniel Early |
| State1: | Massachusetts |
| District1: | 3rd |
| Term Start1: | January 3, 1975 |
| Term End1: | January 3, 1993 |
| Preceded1: | Harold Donohue |
| Succeeded1: | Peter I. Blute |
| Office2: | Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives |
| Term Start2: | 1963 |
| Term End2: | 1974 |
| Birth Date: | January 31, 1933 |
| Birth Place: | Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Death Place: | Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Resting Place: | Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Party: | Democrat |
| Spouse: | Marilyn Powers Early |
| Residence: | Worcester, MA |
| Alma Mater: | College of the Holy Cross (BS) |
| Profession: | teacher |
| Branch: | United States Navy |
| Serviceyears: | 1955–1957 |
Joseph Daniel Early (January 31, 1933 – November 9, 2012) was an American politician. He represented the third district of Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993.
Early was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on January 31, 1933. He attended St. John's High School, and received a B.S. degree from College of the Holy Cross, graduating in 1955. He served in United States Navy, 1955–1957. Following his time in the Navy he was employed as a high school teacher and basketball coach in Shrewsbury and Spencer.
Early served six terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1963 to 1974. He was a delegate to Massachusetts State Democratic conventions from 1964 to 1970, and was elected as a Democrat to the 94th and to the eight succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1993). He lost re-election in 1992 to Republican Peter I. Blute, in the aftermath of his implication in the House banking scandal and a nepotism scandal involving his brother George's employment in the Congressional Folding Room.[1] During his time in congress Early was regarded as one of the most "obscure" house representatives, neglecting to hold a press conference until 1990 and never hiring a press secretary.[2] He died on November 9, 2012.[3] His son, Joseph Early, Jr. today serves as the Worcester County District Attorney.