Joe Don Baker, the no-nonsense actor who shot to fame as vigilante sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall and later crossed over into the James Bond franchise as both villain and ally has died at the age of 89.
A Gritty Talent With Humble Roots
Joe Don Baker was never the loudest presence on screen — but he didn’t need to be. Whether he was cracking skulls in Walking Tall or trading barbs with James Bond, Baker had a magnetic toughness that made every performance feel authentic.
Across a career that spanned decades, culminating in his retirement in 2012, Baker amassed 57 film credits. He became one of Hollywood’s most consistent and underrated performers — never flashy, always memorable.
Born in 1936 in Groesbeck, Texas, Baker’s early life looked nothing like a future in Hollywood. He played football at North Texas State and served in the U.S. Army before taking a completely unexpected turn: acting. He moved to New York, studied at the prestigious Actors Studio, and carved out a career built on grit and skill.
Two of his greatest inspirations were Robert Mitchum — with whom he’d later share the screen in Cape Fear — and Spencer Tracy. Both men helped shape Baker’s grounded, no-nonsense style that would become his trademark.
How Walking Tall Made Joe Don Baker a Star
Joe Don Baker’s career shifted into high gear in 1973 with Walking Tall, where he played Buford Pusser — a no-nonsense, bat-wielding sheriff who stood up to corruption with brute force and relentless grit. Promoted with the bold tagline, “When was the last time you stood up and applauded a movie?”, the film became a surprise box office hit, resonating with both critics and audiences.
It wasn’t just a turning point for Baker — it was a cultural moment. He once claimed the film had global political impact:
“After it had a run in Thailand for six months, guess what? One hundred thousand students and farmers picked up sticks, pitchforks, and guns to overthrow the damn rip-off government.”
Following Walking Tall, Baker’s career flourished. He racked up roles in hard-edged films like Charley Varrick, cult favorites like Mitchell, and mainstream hits such as Cape Fear, Mars Attacks!, and Reality Bites.
From Villain to Ally in the Bond Franchise
Baker carved out a unique place in 007 history, first appearing as villainous arms dealer Brad Whitaker in 1987’s The Living Daylights — making him the first American actor to play a Bond villain.
Then, in a rare twist, he returned less than a decade later as CIA agent Jack Wade, this time aiding Pierce Brosnan’s Bond in GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997).
Television Success and Lasting Legacy
On television, Baker delivered a standout performance as CIA agent Darius Jedburgh in the BBC’s Edge of Darkness — a role that earned him a BAFTA nomination and widespread critical acclaim.
Though often cast as the tough guy, those who knew him spoke of a very different side. His obituary described him as “a beacon of kindness and generosity,” a man who loved literature, nature, and especially cats.
As Baker once quipped in 1992:
“They don’t think big guys like us are romantic or anything, you know. Or we can’t play comedy or something. You do the best you can as well as you can ’cause you want to be hired again. They like it so they hire you again.”
His final film role came in 2012’s Mud, where he shared the screen with Matthew McConaughey and earned the Robert Altman Award alongside the ensemble cast. After that, he stepped away from acting and into retirement.
Joe Don Baker was married to Maria Dolores Rivero-Torres from 1969 until their divorce in 1980. Though they had no children, he remained close with extended family in his hometown of Groesbeck, Texas.
Cause of Death
Joe Don Baker passed away from lung cancer on May 7, 2025, at the age of 89. He died at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles, according to a former brother-in-law who confirmed the news to The Washington Post.
Although he died earlier in the month, his death was not made public until May 15.
