Joe Don Baker, the actor known for starring in ‘Walking Tall’ and three James Bond movies, has died at the age of 89. His family announced his passing on Tuesday, sharing an obituary that paid tribute to his kindness, intellectual curiosity, and deep love for nature and animals. No cause of death was provided, though his legacy as a beloved figure in entertainment remains.
Born on February 12, 1936, in Groesbeck, Texas, Baker had a varied early life that included studying business administration at North Texas State College before serving in the U.S. Army. He later moved to New York, where he began his acting career. Baker trained at the Actors Studio and made his debut in a 1965 episode of the crime drama ‘Honey West,’ before transitioning to film with his appearance in 1967’s ‘Cool Hand Luke.’
Throughout his nearly five-decade career, Baker appeared in dozens of television shows and films, with ‘Walking Tall’ becoming one of his most iconic roles. He also appeared in three James Bond movies, including ‘The Living Daylights’ (1987), ‘GoldenEye’ (1995), and ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ (1997), with Pierce Brosnan. His other film roles included ‘Mitchell,’ ‘Charlie Varrick,’ ‘The Natural,’ ‘Fletch,’ ‘Mars Attacks!,’ ‘Reality Bites,’ and Martin Scorsese’s ‘Cape Fear’ remake. On television, he starred in the crime thriller series ‘Eischeid’ and appeared in shows like ‘Gunsmoke,’ ‘Lancer,’ ‘Edge of Darkness,’ ‘Mission: Impossible,’ and ‘In the Heat of the Night.’
Baker earned a BAFTA nomination for his performance in the British miniseries ‘Edge of Darkness.’ His final film appearance was in 2012’s ‘Mud’, starring Matthew McConaughey, before retiring that same year. The actor was married for 11 years but did not have children. His obituary noted that he is survived by his relatives in Groesbeck and a close circle of friends who will miss him dearly. A funeral service will be held in Mission Hills, California, next Tuesday, where his family and friends will honor his memory.