Joe Don Baker, best known for his tough-as-nails role as sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall and for playing both villain and ally in the James Bond franchise, has died of lung cancer at 89.
Born in 1936 in Groesbeck, Texas, Baker began as a football player and Army man before shifting to acting. His breakout came in 1973’s Walking Tall, launching a career that spanned over 50 films, including Cape Fear, Mars Attacks!, and Reality Bites. In the Bond universe, he uniquely portrayed both villain Brad Whitaker (The Living Daylights) and CIA agent Jack Wade (GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies).
Known for his rugged presence and quiet dependability, Baker also earned acclaim on TV, notably in Edge of Darkness, which brought him a BAFTA nod. Off-screen, he was remembered as kind, generous, and a lover of books, nature, and cats.
Baker retired after 2012’s Mud. He passed away on May 7, 2025, in Los Angeles. His legacy: gritty, grounded, unforgettable.
