James Bond veteran and “Walking Tall” star Joe Don Baker passes away at age 89.

At the age of 89, Joe Don Baker, the tough on-screen persona who personified the justice and grit of American film in the 1970s, passed away. A legacy of toughness, talent, and quiet charisma, Baker is best known for his iconic portrayal of the no-nonsense sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall and for his uncommon dual role as both an ally and a villain in the James Bond universe.

Baker died of lung cancer at a Los Angeles assisted living facility on May 7, 2025. His passing wasn’t made public until May 15, when a former brother-in-law confirmed it to The Washington Post.

From Hollywood Screens to Texas Fields
Baker was born in Groesbeck, Texas, in 1936, and his early years were very different from the glamorous world of Hollywood. Before his destiny took a harsh turn toward acting, he served in the Army and played football at North Texas State. After relocating to New York, he joined the esteemed Actors Studio and established a career based on unwavering authenticity and quiet intensity.

Actors Spencer Tracy and Robert Mitchum, who were adept at saying everything without saying much, were two of his greatest influences. Baker would later co-star with Mitchum in Cape Fear, which was a fitting choice.

“Walking Tall” and the Star’s Birth
When Baker portrayed the bat-swinging, justice-seeking sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall in 1973, he made his breakthrough and became an unlikely folk hero. The film, which was marketed with the bold slogan, “When was the last time you stood up and applauded a movie?” became a sleeper hit and received positive reviews from both critics and viewers.

Baker claims that the film generated more than just ticket sales:

“You know what happened after it ran for six months in Thailand? Pitchforks, sticks, and firearms were used by 100,000 farmers and students to topple the fucking rip-off government.

He said once.

The Gritty Everyman of Hollywood
Baker established himself as one of the most reliable tough guys in film over the ensuing forty years. Among his more than 50 film credits are those from Charley Varrick, Mitchell, Reality Bites, Mars Attacks!, and Cape Fear.

His performances had weight, texture, and unexpected heart, but he never played the heavy as a stereotype. He costarred with Matthew McConaughey in his final significant motion picture role, Mud (2012), for which he received a Robert Altman Award.

An Uncommon Bond Double Agent
Baker became the first American actor to play a villain in a Bond film in 1987 when he played arms dealer Brad Whitaker in The Living Daylights. However, in a unique turn of events for the series, he later made a comeback to the 007 universe as CIA agent Jack Wade in Tomorrow Never Dies and GoldenEye.

His versatility and presence made him one of the few actors in the Bond universe to play both villainous and heroic roles.

Behind the Grit: A Hint of Grace
People who knew Baker recall a gentle, introspective man who loved books, cats, and the outdoors despite his tough exterior.

“They don’t believe that we big guys are romantic or anything.”

That was in 1992.

The reason you do your best work is because you want to be hired again. They rehire you because they like it.

Baker made a significant contribution to television as well, most notably as CIA agent Darius Jedburgh in the critically acclaimed British miniseries Edge of Darkness, for which he received both international praise and a BAFTA nomination.

Individual Life and Legacy
From 1969 until 1980, Baker was wed to Maria Dolores Rivero-Torres. He kept in touch with family in Texas, despite the fact that they were childless.

Gritty, grounded, and unforgettable, Joe Don Baker stayed true to himself throughout a career that ranged from Cold War thrillers to Southern justice tales. He gave audiences unforgettable performances, whether he was trading lines with James Bond or using a baseball bat to battle corrupt politicians.

Peace be with you, Joe Don. And I appreciate the stories.