Joe Don Baker carved out a distinctive career in Hollywood, often portraying tough, no-nonsense characters on both sides of the law.
His imposing presence and Southern drawl made him a memorable figure in a wide range of films.
Here are some highlights from his filmography:
- Walking Tall (1973): Baker achieved stardom with his portrayal of real-life Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser, who famously fought against corruption and crime in his town. The film’s raw action and Baker’s intense performance made it a cult classic.
- Mitchell (1975): Baker stars as the titular character, a hard-boiled, unorthodox police detective. This film has gained notoriety for its being featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
- The Natural (1984): In this acclaimed baseball drama, Baker plays “The Whammer,” a Babe Ruth-like figure who faces off against Robert Redford’s Roy Hobbs early in the classic film.
- Fletch (1985): Baker takes on a supporting role as Chief Jerry Karlin, the chief of the Los Angeles police department being investigated by Chevy Chase‘s titular character, Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher.
- The Living Daylights (1987): Baker appears in the James Bond film as the villainous arms dealer Brad Whitaker, adding his signature intensity to the Bond universe. Timothy Dalton starred as 007.
- Cape Fear (1991): In Martin Scorsese’s thriller, Baker plays Claude Kersek, a private detective hired by Nick Nolte’s character. Robert DeNiro, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis also starred in the film.
- The Distinguished Gentleman (1992): Baker plays a supporting role as Olaf Andersen, a political donor in the box office hit that starred Eddie Murphy.
- Congo (1995): Baker portrays R.B. Travis, a character involved in the expedition into the Congo jungle. Laura Linney, Dylan Walsh, Ernie Hudson and Tim Curry co-starred in the film based on the novel by Michael Crichton.
- GoldenEye (1995): Baker makes his first appearance as CIA agent Jack Wade in the James Bond series, in Pierce Brosnan’s debut as 007.
- Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): Baker returns as CIA agent Jack Wade, assisting James Bond in his mission. Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Teri Hatcher and Michelle Yeoh co-starred.
- Mud (2012) Baker’s film feature film role was in this “coming of age” drama starring Matthew McConaughey, Sam Shepherd and Reese Withersppon.
Joe Don Baker in The Natural (Photo/Tri-Star Pictures)
Legacy of Joe Don Baker
Baker left a lasting mark on Hollywood with his portrayals of tough, often Southern, characters. From his iconic role as Sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall to his appearances in James Bond films, Baker brought intensity and grit to both heroic and villainous roles, solidifying his place as a respected character actor in a wide range of films.
Baker passed away at the age of 89 on May 7, 2025.
