Age, Biography, and Wiki
Joe Don Baker was born on February 12, 1936, and passed away at the age of 89. He was an American actor celebrated for his robust filmography, including roles in crime dramas and action films like "Walking Tall" and appearances in the James Bond franchise. His career spanned over four decades, with notable performances on both screen and stage.
| Occupation | Stage Actor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 12 February 1936 |
| Age | 89 Years |
| Birth Place | Groesbeck, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 7 May, 2025 |
| Died Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Height, Weight & Measurements
Unfortunately, detailed information about Joe Don Baker's height, weight, and measurements is not widely available in public sources.
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Dating & Relationship Status
Joe Don Baker was married to Maria Dolores Rivero-Torres from December 25, 1969, until their divorce in 1980. There is no public record of him having children.
He was raised by his aunt Anna Thompson after the death of his mother when he was 12. He played basketball and football (as linebacker and co-captain) at Groesbeck High School, and attended North Texas State College in Denton on a sports scholarship, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1958.
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| Husband | Marlo Baker (m. 1969-1980) |
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Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2025, Joe Don Baker's net worth was estimated to be around $2 million, primarily derived from his extensive work in film and television, including lead and supporting roles, recurring TV appearances, and royalties from long-running projects. Some sources have reported his net worth to be slightly higher, around $3 million, but the consensus is generally closer to $2 million.
Career, Business, and Investments
Joe Don Baker's acting career was marked by versatility and a strong screen presence. He appeared in over 80 films and television shows, including notable roles in "Walking Tall," "Framed," "The Natural," "Fletch," "Cape Fear," "Reality Bites," "Congo," "Mars Attacks," "The Dukes of Hazzard," and "Mud." He also had a significant presence in the James Bond series, playing different characters in "The Living Daylights," "GoldenEye," and "Tomorrow Never Dies". Additionally, he performed in Broadway productions early in his career.
While not among the highest-paid Hollywood stars, Baker maintained a steady income through consistent work across decades. His investments and business ventures outside of acting are not widely documented.
During the 1963–64 Broadway season, he appeared on stage in Marathon '33 at the ANTA Theatre in New York City. His career had its roots in television, though he did appear in several movies, including an uncredited part in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke. He appeared in many television series, graduating to featured guest roles in such series as The Big Valley (in which he played a Harvard-educated Native American with a penchant for fighting) and Mod Squad (where he appeared as an illiterate vending machine robber). He was the title character in the 1971 TV movie Mongo's Back in Town, starring Telly Savalas.
Standing at 6'2" tall (189 cm), Baker's physical prowess and stereotypical Texas drawl would prove perfect in Westerns, both on film and television. While working regularly on television on shows such as Bonanza and Gunsmoke, he appeared in supporting roles in such films Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969) and Blake Edwards' Wild Rovers, but his film career did not quicken until he scored the role of Steve McQueen's younger brother in Sam Peckinpah's Junior Bonner, a film about a contemporary rodeo cowboy, which was released in late 1972.
Social Network
Joe Don Baker did not have a significant presence on social media platforms, keeping a relatively private life, especially in his later years.
On April 10, 1978, the two-part television program To Kill a Cop premiered. In it Baker was paired with Louis Gossett Jr. as a police detective, Eischied, which led to a TV series with the same character the following year. Baker co-starred with Karen Black in the miniseries Power (1980), a scarcely-disguised story of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa.
Education
There is limited information available about Joe Don Baker's educational background. However, his entry into acting was marked by early performances in theater and film.
Joe Don Baker's legacy as a dependable and versatile actor continues to be celebrated by fans and peers alike, with his contributions to the entertainment industry remaining a testament to his enduring impact.
After serving in the United States Army for two years, Baker moved to New York City to study at the Actors Studio, of which he was a life member. He cited Robert Mitchum (with whom he would work in Cape Fear) and Spencer Tracy as his inspirations.
