‘James Bond' actor Joe Don Baker dead at 89
Actor Joe Don Baker died at age 89 on May 7, per his obituary. The star was perhaps best known for his role as Sheriff Buford Pusser in the 1973 action/thriller 'Walking Tall.'
Baker first rose to fame in the 1972 western flick 'Junior Bonner,' playing Curly, the younger brother of Steve McQueen's character Junior Bonner, a middle-aged rodeo rider.
7 Joe Don Baker in 'Walking Tall.'
Courtesy Everett Collection
Baker also had a role in the James Bond films, first playing arms dealer Brad Whitaker in the 1987 movie 'The Living Daylights' that starred Timothy Dalton as 007.
In 1995 and 1997, the actor was back — this time as CIA agent Jack Wade in 'GoldenEye' and 'Tomorrow Never Dies,' which were led by Pierce Brosnan as Bond.
7 Joe Don Baker in 'Walking Tall.'
Courtesy Everett Collection
'Born on February 12, 1936, Joe Don was a beacon of kindness and generosity. His intellectual curiosity made him a voracious reader, inspiring a great love of nature and animals, particularly cats,' his obituary reads. 'Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.'
Baker grew up in Groesbeck, Texas, where he 'excelled in football and basketball,' per the obit.
'His athletic skills led him to secure a scholarship at North Texas State College, where he joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and graduated in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. In 1994 he received the Distinguished Alumni award from his College, now renamed University of North Texas.'
7 Joe Don Baker and Pierce Brosnan in 'Tomorrow Never Dies.'
©United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection
After joining the army, Baker moved to New York City and studied at the Actor's Studio.
'Eventually, he moved to Los Angeles, where his acting career gradually took off,' the obituary continued. 'Starting with small television parts, he eventually progressed to major acting roles as leading man and later in life as a character actor. During his long career, until his retirement in 2012 he performed in 57 movies.'
During his career, Baker won the Robert Altman Award at the Independent Spirit Awards for his role in the 2012 movie 'Mud,' which also starred Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Sam Shepard and Sarah Paulson.
7 Joe Don Baker and Pierce Brosnan in 'GoldenEye.'
©United Artists/Courtesy Everett Collection
Baker was also nominated for best actor by the British Academy of Television for his role in the 1985 movie 'Edge of Darkness,' and again for Best Supporting Actor in 1997 for the film 'George Wallace.'
According to his obituary Baker, who was married from 1969 to 1980 never had kids.
'Joe Don's 11 year marriage produced no offspring. He is survived by relations in his native Groesbeck, who will forever cherish his memory. He is mourned by a small but very close circle of friends who will miss him eternally.'
7 Joe Don Baker as Ron Lewis in the 1975 movie 'Framed.'
Silver Screen
The message concluded, 'As we say goodbye to Joe Don, we hold onto the memories and the love he shared with us. Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will always remain, a guiding light in the lives he touched. Rest in peace, Joe Don. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten.'
During a interview with The Hard Times in 2020, Baker poked fun at his James Bond costars, Brosnan, 71, and Alan Cumming, who played Boris Grishenko in the movies.
When the outlet asked who he could take in a fight, Baker joked, 'Please. I could take on both of those church boys with one hand.'
7 Joe Don Baker in 'Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke.'
CBS via Getty Images
After the official James Bond Instagram account posted about Baker's death, fans flocked to the comments section to remember the late star.
One follower said, 'Sad news. Really enjoyed in him in all of his Bond roles. 'Yo, Jimbo!' Rest in peace, Joe :(,' while a second user stated, 'Oh no! Not Jack Wade!! RIP legend.'
'Whitaker was always one of my all time favourite Bond villains despite his lack of screen time,' a third social media person expressed. 'Joe played him brilliantly! Such a fun villain!'
7 Joe Don Baker.
WireImage
Another fan quoted Baker from the films, writing, 'Let me get this straight, Jim. You shot him in the leg, you stole his car, you stole his girl. And now you want Zukovsky to set you up with a meeting with Janus. What are you gonna do, appeal to his heart?'
The original post, which was beneath a shot of Baker from the movie, read, 'We are really sad to hear of the passing of Joe Don Baker at the age of 89. The Texan actor played villain Brad Whitaker in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and CIA agent Jack Wade in GOLDENEYE and TOMORROW NEVER DIES,'
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