Joe Don Baker, the iconic tough guy who made audiences sit up as vigilante sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall and later left his mark on the James Bond franchise—playing both villain and ally—has passed away at the age of 89.
A football talent
Joe Don Baker was one of those rare actors who didn’t need the spotlight to steal every scene. Whether wielding a bat in Walking Tall or sparring with James Bond, he infused every role with a rugged, magnetic charm.
Spanning a career that lasted until his retirement in 2012, Baker amassed 57 film credits, proving time and again he was one of Hollywood’s most quietly reliable and compelling talents. Underrated? Absolutely. Unforgettable? Without question.
Born in 1936 in Groesbeck, Texas, Joe Don Baker began his journey as a football player at North Texas State and a proud Army serviceman before making a bold switch to acting. Relocating to New York, he joined the prestigious Actors Studio and set off on a career that would leave a lasting impact.
Two of Baker’s biggest inspirations were the rebellious Robert Mitchum—whom he later shared the screen with in Cape Fear—and the legendary Spencer Tracy. Their influence shaped Baker’s grounded, authentic approach to his craft, helping him carve out his own memorable path in Hollywood.
How Walking Tall changed things
Joe Don Baker’s breakout moment arrived in 1973 with Walking Tall, where he brought to life a relentless sheriff armed with a baseball bat and an unshakable sense of justice. The film’s bold ad campaign dared audiences: “When was the last time you stood up and applauded a movie?”
Walking Tall became an unexpected hit, winning over critics and moviegoers alike—and thrusting Baker into the Hollywood spotlight. But the impact of the film didn’t stop at the box office. Baker famously claimed that after a six-month run in Thailand, the movie inspired a grassroots uprising: “One hundred thousand students and farmers picked up sticks, pitchforks, and guns to overthrow the damn rip-off government.”
