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Sky News AU
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Dearly missed but never forgotten':James Bond actor Joe Don Baker, who appeared in three 007 films, has died aged 89
Hollywood legend Joe Don Baker has died aged 89, his family has confirmed. The Texas-born star passed away on May 7 in Southern California, where he had lived in recent years. His cause of death has not been disclosed. Baker's acting career spanned nearly five decades, beginning in 1965 with an appearance on the television series Honey West. He shot to prominence in the early 1970s, playing Steve McQueen's younger brother in Junior Bonner (1972), before landing the lead in the hit crime drama Walking Tall (1973). Based on a true story, Walking Tall followed a Southern sheriff who took on organised crime with nothing but a wooden club and sheer determination- a role that cemented Baker's place as a Hollywood "tough guy". But it was his work in the James Bond franchise that made him a familiar face to international audiences. Baker first appeared in The Living Daylights (1987) as a rogue Soviet general opposite Timothy Dalton's Bond. He later returned to the franchise in a very different role- as CIA operative Jack Wade- in GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), both alongside Pierce Brosnan. Beyond Bond, Baker enjoyed a prolific career in television, starring in the crime drama Eischied and earned a BAFTA nomination for his performance in the acclaimed British mini-series Edge of Darkness. His final film role was a small but poignant part in the 2012 drama Mud, starring Matthew McConaughey. Born on February 12, 1936, in Groesbeck, Texas, Baker played football at North Texas State College before serving two years in the Army. He later moved to New York City to study at the prestigious Actors Studio. Reflecting on his early days of acting, Baker once credited his ability to listen as the key to being accepted into the Studio. "I did a scene with a girl, and she did most of the talking, so I listened," he recalled in a 1986 video interview. "Come to find out, that's what you're supposed to do when you act- listen." He was married to Maria Dolores Rivero-Torres for 11 years, and while he did not have children, he is survived by relatives in his hometown of Groesbeck. "As we say goodbye to Joe Don, we hold onto the memories and the love he shared with us," his family said in a statement. "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."
New York Post
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘James Bond' actor Joe Don Baker dead at 89
Hollywood has lost one of their own. 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,'
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Joe Don Baker dies at 89 after decades as action star, known for Walking Tall and James Bond films
Joe Don Baker, the Texas-born actor best known for his rugged performances in Walking Tall and several James Bond films, has died at the age of 89. His family announced that he passed away on May 7. Baker rose to fame in the early 1970s, first gaining attention for his role alongside Steve McQueen in Junior Bonner (1972) and as a menacing mob hitman in Charley Varrick (1973). However, it was his portrayal of real-life sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall (1973) that cemented his place in cinema history. As Pusser, Baker depicted a relentless lawman who fought crime with a wooden club, resonating with audiences during the politically turbulent Watergate era. The film, made on a modest budget, became an unexpected box office success, grossing around $40 million — the equivalent of over $600 million today. Director Phil Karlson attributed its popularity to audiences' desire for a strong, moral figure to root for. Baker also made notable appearances in the James Bond franchise, playing the villainous arms dealer Brad Whitaker in The Living Daylights (1987), and later returning as CIA agent Jack Wade in GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). He was also recognized for his role as CIA agent Darius Jedburgh in the acclaimed BBC miniseries Edge of Darkness (1985), which earned him a BAFTA nomination. Born on February 12, 1936, in Groesbeck, Texas, Baker studied business before pursuing acting. He trained at The Actors Studio in New York and appeared in Broadway productions before transitioning to film and television. Over his career, he starred in The Outfit (1973), The Natural (1984), Cape Fear (1991), Mars Attacks! (1996), and Mud (2012), among others. He also led the NBC series Eischied and made appearances in In the Heat of the Night and Fletch. Baker was married to Maria Dolores Rivero-Torres from 1969 until their divorce in 1980. He is survived by family members in Groesbeck, Texas. A funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday in Mission Hills, California.
