Joe Don Baker
Joe Don Baker (February 12, 1936 – August 4, 2023) was an American actor.
Joe Don Baker | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 12, 1936 |
| Died | August 4, 2023 (aged 87) Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | actor |
Career
He began his career as a guest on TV series Honey West (1965), Judd for the Defense (1967), and Bonanza (1968) among other. Her first major role was in the western movie, Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969), starring with George Kennedy
Baker is known for starring in emblematic action movie in the '70s as Walking Tall (1973), which plays the incorruptible sheriff Buford Pusser of Tennessee, the movie was one of the most violent in the '70s and launched Baker star in action movies.
His second movie Charley Varrick (1973), was directed by Don Siegel. Here he plays a hired killer who should be responsible for eliminating Charley Varrick played by Walter Matthau
In the 1980 Baker appeared on television and movies as The Natural (1984), Final Justice (1985), The Abduction of Kari Swenson, TV (1987), and the TV series In the Heat of the Night (1989) as Chief Tom Dugan.
In 1992 he starred as Claude Kersek in charge of guarding Sam Bowden; Nick Nolte, in Cape Fear (1991), with Robert De Niro and directed by Martin Scorsese.
He also worked in the James Bond movies The Living Daylights (1987), GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997).
One of his last jobs was at The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), Baker as Governor Jim Applewhite.
1967 episode Judd For the Defense. Character: Meryl Varney
Death
Baker died on August 4, 2023 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee from pneumonia-related problems, aged 87.[1]
| Year | Tíle | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Guns of the Magnificent Seven | Slater | |
| 1970 | Adam at Six A.M. | Harvey Gavin | |
| 1971 | Wild Rovers | Paul Buckman | |
| 1972 | Junior Bonner | Curly Bonner | |
| 1972 | Welcome Home, Soldier Boys | Danny | |
| 1973 | Walking Tall | Buford Pusser | |
| 1973 | Charley Varrick | Molly | |
| 1973 | The Outfit | Cody | |
| 1974 | Golden Needles | Dan | |
| 1975 | Framed | Ron Lewis | |
| 1975 | Mitchell | Mitchell | |
| 1977 | Checkered Flag or Crash | Walkaway Madden | |
| 1977 | The Shadow of Chikara | Wishbone Cutter | |
| 1977 | The Pack | Jerry | |
| 1977 | Speedtrap | Pete Novick | |
| 1982 | Wacko | Dick Harbinger | |
| 1983 | Joysticks | Joseph Rutter | |
| 1984 | The Natural | The Whammer | |
| 1985 | Final Justice | Sheriff Thomas Jefferson | |
| 1985 | Fletch | Chief Jerry Karlin | |
| 1986 | Getting Even | King R. Kenderson | |
| 1987 | The Living Daylights | Brad Whitaker | |
| 1987 | The Killing Time | Carl Cunningham | |
| 1987 | Leonard Part 6 | Nick Snyderburn | |
| 1988 | Criminal Law | Det. Mesel | |
| 1990 | The Children | Cliffe Wheater | |
| 1991 | Cape Fear | Claude Kersek | |
| 1992 | The Distinguished Gentleman | Olaf Andersen | |
| 1994 | Reality Bites | Tom Pierce | |
| 1994 | Ring of Steel | Man in Black | |
| 1995 | Felony | Donovan | |
| 1995 | Underneath | Clay Hinkle | |
| 1995 | Panther | Brimmer | |
| 1995 | Congo | R.B. Travis | |
| 1995 | The Grass Harp | Sheriff Junius Candle | |
| 1995 | GoldenEye | Jack Wade | |
| 1996 | Mars Attacks! | Richie's Dad | |
| 1997 | Tomorrow Never Dies | Jack Wade | |
| 2001 | Vegas, City of Dreams | Dylan Garrett | |
| 2001 | Joe Dirt | Don, Brandy's Dad | (uncredited) |
| 2003 | The Commission | Rep. Hale Boggs | |
| 2005 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Governor Jim Applewhite | |
| 2008 | Strange Wilderness | Bill Calhoun |
References
- Joe Don Baker on IMDb
- Joe Don Baker at Allmovie
- Joe Don Baker fansite (Defunct prior to 1/10)
- Joe Don Baker Tribute (Defunct prior to 1/10)