Joe Don Baker, the Texas actor renowned for his role in “Walking Tall” and his appearances in three James Bond movies, has died at the age of 89. Baker passed away due to 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 a quintessential tough guy on screen, taking on roles on both sides of the law throughout a career spanning over four decades. His family described him as a “beacon of kindness and generosity” with an intellectual curiosity that inspired a love for reading, nature, and animals, especially cats.
In 1973, Baker’s breakthrough role came when he portrayed real-life Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser in “Walking Tall,” a film about a former wrestler tackling corruption in his small town with a wooden club. This independent film became an unexpected box office hit, grossing around $40 million on a budget of about $500,000.
During an interview in the mid-1990s, Baker explained that his film struck a chord during the Watergate era when many Americans felt powerless against political corruption. He noted that “Walking Tall” tapped into a shared vigilante fantasy—the urge to confront wrongdoers that most people couldn’t act on without repercussions. In contrast, his character Pusser had the authority to do so.
The 6-foot-2 actor’s physical appearance and distinctive Texas accent suited him to the tough-guy roles that marked his career. Prior to his breakthrough, Baker had gained attention with supporting roles in Westerns on television and in films like “Guns of the Magnificent Seven” (1969) and “Wild Rovers” (1971).
Baker first gained mainstream recognition in 1972 when he played the younger, business-minded brother of an aging 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,” alongside Walter Matthau.
Baker held a unique position in the James Bond franchise, appearing as two different characters across three films. He played the villainous arms dealer Brad Whitaker in “The Living Daylights” (1987) with Timothy Dalton as 007, and later returned as CIA agent Jack Wade in “GoldenEye” (1995) and “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), both starring Pierce Brosnan as Bond.
Throughout his career, Baker showed remarkable versatility, tackling a range of roles. He portrayed a legendary baseball player in “The Natural” (1984), a corrupt police chief in the Chevy Chase comedy “Fletch” (1985), and a morally ambiguous private investigator in Martin Scorsese’s “Cape Fear” (1991) remake.
His television work was equally notable. Baker earned a BAFTA TV Award nomination for his role as a CIA agent in the BBC series “Edge of Darkness.” He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1997 for portraying Alabama governor Big Jim Folsom in the TV film “George Wallace.”
After excelling in football and basketball at Groesbeck High School, Baker attended North Texas State College (now University of North Texas) on a sports scholarship. He played linebacker, served as co-captain of the football team, and joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1958.
After college, Baker served two years in the U.S. Army before relocating 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 appearances on Broadway during the 1963-64 season in “Marathon ’33” and “Blues for Mister Charlie” before he moved to Los Angeles to pursue film and television opportunities.
Later in his career, Baker continued to land memorable roles 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, after which he retired from acting.
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 his hometown of 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 lives on through his extensive filmography of nearly 60 movies and numerous television appearances, showcasing his ability to bring depth to every character he portrayed in his long Hollywood career.
