Joe Don Baker

Acting

Joe Don Baker

Born February 12, 1936 · Groesbeck, Texas, USA

Died May 7, 2025 · aged 89

Joe Don Baker (February 12, 1936 - May 7, 2025) was an American film actor, perhaps best known for his roles as a Mafia hitman in Charley Varrick, real-life Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall, James Bond villain Brad Whitaker in The Living Daylights, and CIA agent Jack Wade in the James Bond films GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies.

Known For

Cape FearCape Fear · 1991
Cape Fear
7.31991
MovieDramaCrime
Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, Bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? 14 years ago, Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady's rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss.
GoldenEyeGoldenEye · 1995
GoldenEye
6.91995
MovieAdventureAction
When a powerful secret defense system is stolen, James Bond is assigned to stop a Russian crime syndicate from using it.
Mars Attacks!Mars Attacks! · 1996
Mars Attacks!
6.41996
MovieComedyFantasy
A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.
Tomorrow Never DiesTomorrow Never Dies · 1997
Tomorrow Never Dies
6.41997
MovieAdventureAction
A deranged media mogul is staging international incidents to pit the world's superpowers against each other. Now James Bond must take on this evil mastermind in an adrenaline-charged battle to end his reign of terror and prevent global pandemonium.
The Living DaylightsThe Living Daylights · 1987
The Living Daylights
6.51987
MovieActionAdventure
After a defecting Russian general reveals a plot to assassinate foreign spies, James Bond is assigned a secret mission to dispatch the new head of the KGB to prevent an escalation of tensions between the Soviet Union and the West.
Cool Hand LukeCool Hand Luke · 1967
Cool Hand Luke
7.71967
MovieDramaCrime
When petty criminal Luke Jackson is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline, who ends up admiring the new guy's unbreakable will. Luke's bravado, even in the face of repeated stints in the prison's dreaded solitary confinement cell, "the box," make him a rebel hero to his fellow convicts and a thorn in the side of the prison officers.
MudMud · 2013
Mud
7.12013
MovieDrama
Two teenage boys find a fugitive hiding out on an island in the Mississippi River and help him reunite with his lover and escape an avenging family and their armed posse.
The Dukes of HazzardThe Dukes of Hazzard · 2005
The Dukes of Hazzard
5.62005
MovieComedyAdventure
Cousins, Bo and Luke Duke, with the help of their eye-catching cousin, Daisy and moonshine-running Uncle Jesse, try and save the family farm from being destroyed by Hazzard County's corrupt commissioner, Boss Hogg. Their efforts constantly find the 'Duke Boys' eluding authorities in 'The General Lee', their 1969 orange Dodge Charger that keeps them one step ahead of the dimwitted antics of the small southern town's Sheriff, Roscoe P. Coltrane.

Movies

Cape FearCape Fear · 1991
Cape Fear
7.31991
MovieDramaCrime
Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, Bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? 14 years ago, Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady's rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss.
GoldenEyeGoldenEye · 1995
GoldenEye
6.91995
MovieAdventureAction
When a powerful secret defense system is stolen, James Bond is assigned to stop a Russian crime syndicate from using it.
Mars Attacks!Mars Attacks! · 1996
Mars Attacks!
6.41996
MovieComedyFantasy
A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.
Tomorrow Never DiesTomorrow Never Dies · 1997
Tomorrow Never Dies
6.41997
MovieAdventureAction
A deranged media mogul is staging international incidents to pit the world's superpowers against each other. Now James Bond must take on this evil mastermind in an adrenaline-charged battle to end his reign of terror and prevent global pandemonium.
The Living DaylightsThe Living Daylights · 1987
The Living Daylights
6.51987
MovieActionAdventure
After a defecting Russian general reveals a plot to assassinate foreign spies, James Bond is assigned a secret mission to dispatch the new head of the KGB to prevent an escalation of tensions between the Soviet Union and the West.
Cool Hand LukeCool Hand Luke · 1967
Cool Hand Luke
7.71967
MovieDramaCrime
When petty criminal Luke Jackson is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline, who ends up admiring the new guy's unbreakable will. Luke's bravado, even in the face of repeated stints in the prison's dreaded solitary confinement cell, "the box," make him a rebel hero to his fellow convicts and a thorn in the side of the prison officers.
MudMud · 2013
Mud
7.12013
MovieDrama
Two teenage boys find a fugitive hiding out on an island in the Mississippi River and help him reunite with his lover and escape an avenging family and their armed posse.
The Dukes of HazzardThe Dukes of Hazzard · 2005
The Dukes of Hazzard
5.62005
MovieComedyAdventure
Cousins, Bo and Luke Duke, with the help of their eye-catching cousin, Daisy and moonshine-running Uncle Jesse, try and save the family farm from being destroyed by Hazzard County's corrupt commissioner, Boss Hogg. Their efforts constantly find the 'Duke Boys' eluding authorities in 'The General Lee', their 1969 orange Dodge Charger that keeps them one step ahead of the dimwitted antics of the small southern town's Sheriff, Roscoe P. Coltrane.
The NaturalThe Natural · 1984
The Natural
6.91984
MovieDrama
An unknown middle-aged batter named Roy Hobbs with a mysterious past appears out of nowhere to take a losing 1930s baseball team to the top of the league.
Joe DirtJoe Dirt · 2001
Joe Dirt
5.62001
MovieAdventureComedy
Joe Dirt is a janitor with a mullet hairdo, acid-washed jeans and a dream to find the parents that he lost at the Grand Canyon when he was a belligerent, trailer park-raised eight-year-old. Now, blasting Van Halen in his jacked-up economy car, the irrepressibly optimistic Joe hits the road alone in search of his folks.
CongoCongo · 1995
Congo
5.61995
MovieActionAdventure
Eight people embark on an expedition into the Congo, a mysterious expanse of unexplored Africa, where human greed and the laws of nature have gone berserk.
Reality BitesReality Bites · 1994
Reality Bites
6.51994
MovieDramaRomance
A small circle of friends suffering from post-collegiate blues must confront the hard truth about life, love and the pursuit of gainful employment. As they struggle to map out survival guides for the future, the Gen-X quartet soon begins to realize that reality isn't all it's cracked up to be.
PantherPanther · 1995
Panther
6.31995
MovieDramaHistory
In this sprawling, fictionalized history of the Black Panthers, 1960s Oakland becomes a war zone as the Panthers battle for the right to exist.
Poodle SpringsPoodle Springs · 1998
Poodle Springs
5.51998
MovieTV MovieCrime
Private eye Philip Marlowe and his bride move to a desert town, where he uncovers a land scheme.
Walking TallWalking Tall · 1973
Walking Tall
6.61973
MovieActionCrime
Ex-wrestler and Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser walks tall and carries a big stick as he tussles with county-wide corruption and moonshining thugs.
SpeedtrapSpeedtrap · 1977
Speedtrap
6.31977
MovieActionCrime
After a wave of unsolved car thefts, an insurance company calls in a private investigator to solve the case. While the chief of police isn't thrilled about having an outsider come and show up his men, one of the officers is a former girlfriend who's more than willing to help him out in any way she can.
Strange WildernessStrange Wilderness · 2008
Strange Wilderness
4.92008
MovieComedyAdventure
With the ratings dropping for a wilderness-themed TV show, two animal fans go to the Andes in search of Bigfoot.
FletchFletch · 1985
Fletch
6.81985
MovieComedyCrime
When investigative reporter Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher goes undercover to write a piece on the drug trade at a local beach, he's approached by wealthy businessman Alan Stanwyk, who offers him $50,000 to murder him. With sarcastic wit and a knack for disguises, Fletch sets out to uncover Stanwyk's story.
Charley VarrickCharley Varrick · 1973
Charley Varrick
7.41973
MovieCrimeThriller
Charley Varrick robs a bank in a small town with his friends, but instead of obtaining a small amount of money, they discover they stole a very large amount of money belonging to the mob. Charley must now come up with a plan to not only evade the police but the mob as well.
JoysticksJoysticks · 1983
Joysticks
4.51983
MovieComedy
A successful businessman attempts to shut down a video arcade he believes is harmful to the mental health of children.
The Valachi PapersThe Valachi Papers · 1972
The Valachi Papers
6.51972
MovieCrimeDrama
When Joe Valachi has a price put on his head by Don Vito Genovese, he must take desperate steps to protect himself while in prison. An unsuccessful attempt to slit his throat puts him over the edge to break the sacred code of silence.
The OutfitThe Outfit · 1973
The Outfit
6.81973
MovieCrimeDrama
A two-bit criminal takes on the Mafia to avenge his brother's death. Earl Macklin is a small time criminal who is released from prison after an unsuccessful bank robbery only to discover that a pair of gunmen killed his brother.
Guns of the Magnificent SevenGuns of the Magnificent Seven · 1969
Guns of the Magnificent Seven
5.41969
MovieWestern
When Mexican revolutionary leader Quintero is left to rot in jail by the forces of President Diaz, it's up to his subordinate, Max, to bust him out. With $600 in hand, he crosses the border into America and hires Chris Adams, a mercenary of considerable skill, who uses the rest of the cash on more hired guns. After the team is rounded out by experts on close-combat fighting, explosives, and knife-throwing, they set off to free Quintero.
Criminal LawCriminal Law · 1989
Criminal Law
5.61989
MovieDramaThriller
Ben Chase is an on-the-rise Boston attorney currently defending a wealthy client in a high-profile murder case. Martin Thiel is the wealthy young man on trial for a particularly brutal murder. The verdict sets Thiel free. Within 24 hours another grizzly and all-too-familiar murder has taken place with striking similarities to the first crime. Chase inexplicably agrees to act as his defense attorney; but this time it will be to gather evidence that will put away his client for good.

TV Shows

BonanzaBonanza · 1959
Bonanza
7.51959
SeriesWestern
The High-Sierra adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their ranch while helping the surrounding community.
IronsideIronside · 1967
Ironside
6.91967
SeriesCrimeDrama
When an assassin's bullet confines him to a wheelchair for life ending his career as Chief of Detectives, Robert T. Ironside becomes a consultant to the police department. Detective Sergeant Ed Brown and policewoman Eve Whitfield join with him to crack varied and fascinating cases. Ex-con Mark Sanger is employed by the chief as home help but eventually becomes a fully fledged member of the team also. Officer Whitfield leaves after 4 years service, and is replaced by Officer Fran Belding.
Screen TwoScreen Two · 1985
Screen Two
7.11985
SeriesDrama
Series of single made-for-television dramas.
Mission: ImpossibleMission: Impossible · 1966
Mission: Impossible
7.61966
SeriesCrime
Mission: Impossible is an American television series that was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicles the missions of a team of secret government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force. In the first season, the team is led by Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill; Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, takes charge for the remaining seasons. A hallmark of the series shows Briggs or Phelps receiving his instructions on a recording that then self-destructs, followed by the theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin. The series aired on the CBS network from September 1966 to March 1973, then returned to television for two seasons on ABC, from 1988 to 1990, retaining only Graves in the cast. It later inspired a popular series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise, beginning in 1996.
The Big ValleyThe Big Valley · 1965
The Big Valley
6.21965
SeriesWesternDrama
The Big Valley is an American western television series which ran on ABC from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969. The show stars Barbara Stanwyck, as the widow of a wealthy nineteenth century California rancher. It was created by A.I. Bezzerides and Louis F. Edelman, and produced by Levy-Gardner-Laven for Four Star Television.
The F.B.I.The F.B.I. · 1965
The F.B.I.
5.61965
SeriesCrimeDrama
The F.B.I. is an American television series that was broadcast on ABC from 1965 to 1974. It was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, and the characters almost always drove Ford vehicles in the series. Alcoa was co-sponsor of Season One only.
GunsmokeGunsmoke · 1955
Gunsmoke
6.71955
SeriesWestern
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and James Arness on television.
The High ChaparralThe High Chaparral · 1967
The High Chaparral
6.81967
SeriesWesternDrama
The High Chaparral is an American Western-themed television series starring Leif Erickson and Cameron Mitchell which aired on NBC from 1967 to 1971. The series, made by Xanadu Productions in association with NBC Productions, was created by David Dortort, who had previously created the hit Bonanza for the network. The theme song was also written and conducted by Bonanza scorer David Rose, who also scored the two-hour pilot.
Felony SquadFelony Squad · 1966
Felony Squad
6.51966
SeriesCrimeDrama
Twenty-year veteran Detective Sergeant Sam Stone is paired with rookie Briggs in a large Western metropolis.
Honey WestHoney West · 1965
Honey West
7.21965
SeriesDrama
After her father's death, Honey West takes over his high-tech private-detective firm, assisted by rugged Sam Bolt--and her pet ocelot Bruce.
The Mod SquadThe Mod Squad · 1968
The Mod Squad
6.11968
SeriesDrama
The Mod Squad was the enormously successful groundbreaking "hippie" undercover cop show that ran on ABC from September 24, 1968, until August 23, 1973. It starred Michael Cole as Pete Cochren, Peggy Lipton as Julie Barnes, Clarence Williams III as Linc Hayes, and Tige Andrews as Captain Adam Greer. The executive producers of the series were Aaron Spelling and Danny Thomas. The iconic counter-culture police series earned six Emmy nominations, four Golden Globe nominations plus one win for Peggy Lipton, one Directors Guild of America award, and four Logies. In 1997 the episode "Mother of Sorrow" was ranked #95 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.
LancerLancer · 1968
Lancer
5.61968
SeriesWestern
Lancer is an American Western series that aired on CBS from September 1968, to May 1970. The series stars Andrew Duggan, James Stacy, and Wayne Maunder as a father with two half-brother sons, an arrangement similar to the more successful Bonanza on NBC.
Judd, for the DefenseJudd, for the Defense · 1967
Judd, for the Defense
7.71967
SeriesDrama
High-priced Houston lawyer Clinton Judd and his assistant Ben Caldwell take difficult cases throughout the U.S.
The OutsiderThe Outsider · 1968
The Outsider
6.01968
SeriesDrama
The Outsider was the story of David Ross, a go-it-alone private investigator who's always where the action is. Darren McGavin played Ross, a man living in an off-beat, always-dangerous world. The series aired for one season on NBC and was a precursor of sorts to The Rockford Files in that it featured a loner private detective who had previously done time in prison for a crime he didn't commit and who never quite fit into a rapidly changing environment.
Edge of DarknessEdge of Darkness · 1985
Edge of Darkness
8.11985
SeriesCrimeDrama
Environmental activist Emma Craven is murdered in front of her father, local police inspector Ronald Craven. Investigating the death leads him through a haunting revelation of the murkiness of British nuclear policy of the 1980s.
The Siege at Ruby RidgeThe Siege at Ruby Ridge · 1996
The Siege at Ruby Ridge
1996
SeriesDrama
A mini-series dramatization of the controversial 1992 attack by federal agents on the Idaho home of Randy Weaver, a white separatist. The ten-day siege, begun over a minor gun charge, resulted in the deaths of Weaver's son, wife and dog, and a U.S. Marshall. The incident caused major public outcry against the FBI and U.S. Marshals.
George WallaceGeorge Wallace · 1997
George Wallace
7.01997
SeriesDrama
The miniseries follows the history of its namesake, from the 1950s when Wallace was a circuit court judge in Barbour County, to his tenure as the most powerful governor in Alabama's history. It depicts his symbolic "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door", where Wallace attempted to block black students from entering the University of Alabama. It details his stance on racial segregation in Alabama at the time, which proved popular with his white constituents, and also depicts Wallace's rise as a presidential hopeful. This eventually leads to his attempted assassination—and his surprise victory in several states during the 1968 presidential election.
Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris DukeToo Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke · 1999
Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke
5.51999
SeriesDrama
On her deathbed, Doris Duke, the world's wealthiest woman, recalls her lavish, tumultuous years as a young socialite.
Doc ElliotDoc Elliot · 1973
Doc Elliot
7.01973
SeriesDrama
Doc Elliot is an American medical drama that aired from March 5, 1973 until May 1, 1974.
PowerPower · 1980
Power
7.01980
SeriesDrama
Loosely based on the life of Jimmy Hoffa, this traces the rise of Tommy Vanda (Joe Don Baker) from a Chicago dock worker to an influential labor leader who, like Hoffa, finds himself behind bars in a federal prison, and not long after, taken for a ride by shady men never to be seen again.
EischiedEischied · 1979
Eischied
7.01979
SeriesDramaCrime
Eischied is an American crime drama broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1979 to January 20, 1980. It was based on the starring character from the 1978 miniseries To Kill a Cop, which was based on the novel by Robert Daley.
To Kill a CopTo Kill a Cop · 1978
To Kill a Cop
8.01978
SeriesDramaCrime
Police drama concerning a maverick chief of detectives dealing with two cop killings and a spate of bank robberies. He's also fighting a back stabbing police commissioner and a revolutionary leader plotting a police massacre.