Hollywood Star Joe Don Baker Dies at 89

Joe Don Baker, the tall, tough Texas actor known for playing fearless lawmen and dangerous villains, has died at the age of 89. His family confirmed he passed away on May 7, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Baker made a name for himself in the 1970s with his powerful screen presence. His breakthrough came in 1972’s Junior Bonner alongside Steve McQueen, and he quickly followed that with a chilling role as a hitman in Charley Varrick (1973).

But it was his iconic role in Walking Tall (1973) that made him a legend. He played Buford Pusser, a real-life sheriff who fought crime in Tennessee using nothing but a big stick and a fearless attitude. The film struck a chord with audiences who were fed up with crime and corruption. Baker once said the role hit a “vigilante nerve” with viewers during the turbulent Watergate era.

“Buford was able to do what people wanted to but couldn’t — stand up to the bad guys,” he said in a 1990s interview.

Walking Tall was a huge hit, earning $40 million on a budget of just $500,000 — a massive success for its time. It became one of Baker’s most well-known roles, and he even reunited with the same director, Phil Karlson, for another vigilante film, Framed (1975).

From Villain to Bond Ally

In the world of James Bond, Baker showed his range. He played a villain, Brad Whitaker, in The Living Daylights (1987), then returned as the friendly CIA agent Jack Wade in GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), alongside Pierce Brosnan.

From Texas Football to Broadway

Born on February 12, 1936, in Groesbeck, Texas, Baker grew up in a small town. His mother passed away when he was just 12, and he was raised by his aunt. He played football in high school and admired sports star Doak Walker.

After college and serving in the U.S. Army, Baker moved to New York and joined The Actors Studio, where his acting journey began. He appeared on Broadway before heading to Hollywood.

A Career Built on Grit

Over the years, Baker starred in many hit films and TV shows. His credits include:

• Cool Hand Luke (1967)

• The Outfit (1973) with Robert Duvall

• Edge of Darkness (1985) — a BBC miniseries that earned him a BAFTA nomination

• Fletch (1985) — as a crooked cop

• The Natural (1984) — as a Babe Ruth-style slugger

• Cape Fear (1991), Reality Bites (1994), Mars Attacks! (1996), Joe Dirt (2001), and Mud (2012)

He also starred in the short-lived NBC series Eischied (1978–79), where he played a Southern sheriff turned New York detective. In 1989, he briefly replaced Carroll O’Connor as police chief on In the Heat of the Night while O’Connor recovered from heart surgery.

Remembering Joe Don Baker

Baker was married to Maria Dolores Rivero-Torres from 1969 until they divorced in 1980. Though he kept his personal life mostly private, he remained proud of his Texas roots. He is survived by his extended family in Groesbeck.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday in Mission Hills, California, to honor his life and career.