Joe Don Baker, the Texas actor celebrated for his role in “Walking Tall” and appearances in three James Bond films, passed away at 89. Baker died from lung cancer on May 7, 2025, at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles, California.
Born on February 12, 1936, in Groesbeck, Texas, Baker became known as a quintessential tough guy in Hollywood. Throughout a career that spanned over four decades, he played roles on both sides of the law.
His family described him as a “beacon of kindness and generosity” with a great love for reading, nature, and animals, especially cats.
Baker’s career-defining role came in 1973 when he portrayed Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser in “Walking Tall,” a film about a former wrestler tackling corruption in his town with a wooden club. This independent film turned into an unexpected box office hit, earning around $40 million from a $500,000 budget.
In a mid-1990s interview, Baker noted that his film resonated during the Watergate era when many Americans felt powerless against political corruption. He said “Walking Tall” fulfilled a common vigilante fantasy – the wish to confront wrongdoers that most people couldn’t act on without repercussions, while his character Pusser had the authority to do so.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, Baker’s physical presence and Texas drawl made him fit for tough-guy roles. Before his breakthrough, he had already gained attention with supporting roles in Westerns on both television and film, including “Guns of the Magnificent Seven” (1969) and “Wild Rovers” (1971).
Baker first gained mainstream attention in 1972 when he played a younger, business-minded brother to an aging Arizona rodeo rider (Steve McQueen) in Sam Peckinpah’s “Junior Bonner.” He followed this with a role as a sadistic mob hitman named Molly in Don Siegel’s “Charley Varrick,” featuring Walter Matthau.
Baker achieved a unique distinction in the James Bond series, playing two characters across three films. He first appeared as the villainous arms dealer Brad Whitaker in “The Living Daylights” (1987), starring Timothy Dalton as Bond. Baker later returned as CIA agent Jack Wade in “GoldenEye” (1995) and “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), both starring Pierce Brosnan.
Throughout his career, Baker showed remarkable versatility with a broad range of roles. He played a legendary baseball player in “The Natural” (1984), a corrupt police chief in the comedy “Fletch” (1985), and a morally questionable private investigator in Martin Scorsese’s “Cape Fear” (1991).
His television work was equally noteworthy. Baker was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for his role as a CIA agent in the acclaimed BBC series “Edge of Darkness.” He also received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1997 for his role as Alabama governor Big Jim Folsom in the TV film “George Wallace.”
Baker excelled in football and basketball at Groesbeck High School and attended North Texas State College (now the University of North Texas) on a sports scholarship. He played linebacker, was co-captain of the football team, and joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1958.
After college, Baker served two years in the United States Army before moving to New York City to study at the Actors Studio, where he remained a lifetime member. He cited Robert Mitchum and Spencer Tracy as major influences.
Baker’s stage career included Broadway appearances during the 1963-64 season in “Marathon ’33” and “Blues for Mister Charlie” before he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue film and television opportunities.
Later in his career, Baker continued to be active in films such as “Reality Bites” (1994), “Mars Attacks!” (1996), “Joe Dirt” (2001), and “The Dukes of Hazzard” (2005).
Baker’s final role was in Jeff Nichols’ 2012 drama “Mud,” featuring Matthew McConaughey. He was part of the ensemble cast that received the Robert Altman Award at the Independent Spirit Awards. He retired from acting after this performance.
Baker was married to Maria Dolores Rivero-Torres from 1969 until their divorce in 1980. He had no children but is survived by extended family in Groesbeck, Texas.
A funeral service to honor Baker’s life was held on May 20, 2025, at Utter McKinley Mortuary in Mission Hills, California.
Baker’s legacy is preserved through his extensive filmography of nearly 60 films and numerous television roles, showcasing his knack for bringing depth to every character during his long career in Hollywood.
