Award-Winning “James Bond” Actor Joe Don Baker Dead At 89

Actor Joe Don Baker, who appeared in dozens of movies during a decades-long career, has died. Best known for his role as vigilante Sheriff Buford Pusser in the 1973 film Walking Tall, Joe Don served in the armed forces for two years before starting his acting career.

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 “Joe Don was a beacon of kindness and generosity. His intellectual curiosity made him a voracious reader, inspiring a great love of nature and animals, particularly cats,” his obituary says. “Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.”

Family shared in his obituary that Joe Don played football and baseball at Groesbeck High School in Groesbeck, Texas. His athletic abilities earned him a scholarship to North Texas State College where he graduated in 1958. He served in the Army and moved to New York City.

According to Deadline, Joe Don Baker stood 6’2 and his broad frame led to a career as a tough guy on screen. The actor starred in Charley Varrick and three James Bond films. He won the Robert Altman Award for his role in Mud and a nomination for the miniseries George Wallace. He earned a Best Actor nomination from the British Academy of Television for his work in Edge of Darkness.

“Joe Don’s 11 year marriage produced no offspring. He is survived by relations in his native Groesbeck, who will forever cherish his memory. He is mourned by a small but very close circle of friends who will miss him eternally,” his obituary reads.” As we say goodbye to Joe Don, we hold onto the memories and the love he shared with us. Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will always remain, a guiding light in the lives he touched. Rest in peace, Joe Don. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten.”

Joe Don Baker was 89. The family did not release his cause of death.

This story’s featured image is by Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Images.