Joe Don Baker, the prolific character actor who appeared in Seventies classics like Strolling Tall and Junior Bonner and a trio of James Bond films, has died on the age of 89.
The actor’s Could 7 loss of life was revealed in a Legacy.com obituary (by way of the Hollywood Reporter) that was posted by his “small however very shut circle of pals who will miss him eternally.” No explanation for loss of life was offered.
The Groesbeck, Texas-born Baker was a school athlete earlier than becoming a member of the U.S. Military, after which he moved to New York and studied on the Actor’s Studio. Baker’s profession started with bit components in films and tv (together with an uncredited position in Cool Hand Luke) earlier than touchdown a supporting position alongside Steve McQueen within the 1972 Western Junior Bonner.
The next yr, Baker starred on the other aspect of the regulation in two of his most noteworthy roles: As real-life wrestler-turned-sheriff Buford Pusser in Strolling Tall and a sadistic mob hitman out to get Walter Matthau within the neo-noir Charley Varrick.
Usually enjoying tough-talking lawmen or villains, the next decade noticed Baker seem in movies like 1984’s The Pure, 1985’s Fletch, and 1988’s Legal Legislation.
Baker additionally notably appeared in three James Bond movies, albeit as two totally different characters on each side of the regulation: After first portraying the villainous arms vendor Brad Whitaker within the Timothy Dalton-starring The Dwelling Daylights in 1987, the actor returned to the 007 universe in each 1995’s GoldenEye and 1997’s Tomorrow By no means Dies as Pierce Brosnan’s CIA affiliate Jack Wade.
The actor would later go on to seem in movies like Martin Scorsese’s 1991 remake of Cape Worry, Congo, Mars Assaults!, Joe Dust, Actuality Bites (enjoying the daddy of Winona Ryder’s character), and The Dukes of Hazzard. Baker’s final big-screen position was within the 2012 movie Mud, the place he performed the daddy of Matthew McConaughey’s titular character. Baker retired from appearing following that position, his Legacy obituary famous.
“As we are saying goodbye to Joe Don, we maintain onto the recollections and the love he shared with us,” his pals wrote. “Although he could not be with us in physique, his spirit will at all times stay, a guiding gentle within the lives he touched. Relaxation in peace, Joe Don. You’ll be dearly missed however by no means forgotten.”
