Posted on 05/15/2025 10:27:02 AM PDT by fidelis
WASHINGTON — Actor Joe Don Baker, who starred as the rugged Sheriff Buford Pusser in the box office hit "Walking Tall," has died at the age of 89, his family announced.
In an obituary posted online, Baker's family remembered him as "a beacon of kindness and generosity."
"Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him," the obituary reads.
Baker first became a well-known public figure in 1972, when he starred in Sam Peckinpah's "Junior Bonner," followed by a role the next year as a mob hitman in "Charley Varrick."
But his biggest claim to fame was as the former professional wrestler turned lawman Buford Pusser in 1973's Walking Tall.
He also played in a number of James Bond flicks. First, Baker was the villainous arms dealer Brad Whitaker in 1987's "The Living Daylights," starring against Timothy Dolton as 007. He swapped sides to play CIA agent Jack Wade in 1995 and 1997 for "GoldenEye" and "Tomorrow Never Dies" alongside Pierce Brosnan.
Baker, who was born in Groesbeck, Texas, graduated from North Texas State College (now named the University of North Texas), obtaining a bachelor's degree in business administration.,
But after a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, Baker swapped careers, studying acting in New York before moving to L.A. for his acting career.
Before retiring in 2012, Baker had roles in 57 films.
He was married from 1969 to 1980, but had no children.
"He is survived by relations in his native Groesbeck, who will forever cherish his memory," his obituary reads. "He is mourned by a small but very close circle of friends who will miss him eternally."
RIP
RIP
He gave us one of the greatest MST3K spoofs ever. “ Mitchell.” RIP, Joe Don. B movie cinema is richer for your efforts.
I liked “Walking Tall”; he was great in that. I thought he was amazing in “Charley Varrick”, a movie I could watch every few months.
It borders on criminal that he was never given a shot art playing Babe Ruth — he’s the actor most resembling the Bambino.
Perhaps he now knows if there is beer on the sun.
RIP Mitchell.
Don’t forget “Final Justice”.
He was in pretty good classic MI episode “The Miracle” even though the whole plot was absurd like most.
Anyone who could co-star in some James Bond movie couldn’t be all bad.
I think the MST3K guys went a little too far in JD’s case.
I liked him as the corrupt cop in “Fletch”
One of the few to both play a villain and an ally in James Bond. Maude Adams is the other.
To be honest, I thought he died years ago.................
Charlie Varrick was another good movie.
Now that you mention it, I see the resemblance.
Joe Don Baker….not just a pretty face.
Mitchell !!!!
Rest in peace, buddy.
In Walking Tall the ambush of the sheriff and his wife had an effect on me similar to learning of the JFK assassination.
Sorry to hear. He also had a great role in Chevy Chase’ Fletch movie.
“...mourned by a small but very close circle of friends who will miss him eternally.”
People say this a lot. I always read this to mean that his survivors think they’re gonna live forever.
In Walking Tall the ambush of the sheriff and his wife had an effect on me similar to learning of the JFK assassination. Very shocking and tragic.
ping. Eischeid.
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