'walking Tall' And 'james Bond' Actor Joe Don Baker Dead At 89

Joe Don Baker, nan character known for starring successful "Walking Tall" and 3 James Bond movies, has died. He was 89. 

Baker died connected May 7, according to an obituary shared by his family connected Tuesday. No origin of decease was announced. 

"Joe Don was a beacon of kindness and generosity," nan obituary read. "His intelligence curiosity made him a voracious reader, inspiring a awesome emotion of quality and animals, peculiarly cats. Throughout his life, Joe Don touched galore lives pinch his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible people connected everyone fortunate capable to cognize him."

"Walking Tall" prima Joe Don Baker has died astatine nan property of 89. (Everett Collection)

Born connected Feb. 12, 1936, Baker spent his early years successful Groesbeck, Texas, and attended North Texas State College. After graduating pinch a grade successful business administration, he served successful nan U.S. Army for 2 years earlier moving to New York to prosecute an acting career.  

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According to his obituary, Baker studied astatine nan Actors Studio and launched his profession successful theatre earlier moving to Los Angeles. He made his onscreen debut successful a 1965 section of nan crime play "Honey West" and his first foray into movie was an quality successful 1967’s "Cool Hand Luke."

Baker went connected to look successful dozens of TV shows and movies complete his astir five-decade career. He is champion known for his starring domiciled arsenic Sheriff Buford Pusser successful nan deed 1973 crime thriller "Walking Tall." He besides appeared arsenic a characteristic character successful 3 different James Bond movies, including 1987’s "The Living Daylights" starring Thomas Dalton, 1995’s "GoldenEye" and 1997’s "Tomorrow Never Dies" other Pierce Brosnan. 

Baker is pictured pinch Pierce Brosnan successful 1997's "Goldeneye." (United Artists/Everett Collection)

The character had different notable roles successful "Mitchell," "Charlie Varrick" "The Natural," "Fletch," "Mars Attacks!," "Reality Bites" and Martin Scorsese’s "Cape Fear" remake. 

On nan mini screen, Baker starred arsenic nan titular NYPD detective connected nan crime thriller bid "Eischeid" and made appearances connected shows including "Gunsmoke," "Lancer," "Edge of Darkness," "Mission: Impossible" and "In nan Heat of nan Night." 

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Baker appeared successful dozens of movies and TV shows complete his astir five-decade career. (CBS via)

Baker earned a BAFTA information for champion character for his capacity successful nan British miniseries "Edge of Darkness." The character made his last on-screen quality successful 2012's "Mud," starring Matthew McConaughey, earlier retiring that year. 

According to his obituary, Baker was joined for 11 years but did not person children. His obituary noted that nan character is "survived by relations successful his autochthonal Groesbeck, who will everlastingly cherish his memory. He is mourned by a mini but very adjacent circle of friends who will miss him eternally."

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The character retired successful 2012.  (Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via)

A ceremonial work for Baker will beryllium held adjacent Tuesday successful Mission Hills, California. 

"As we opportunity goodbye to Joe Don, we clasp onto nan memories and nan emotion he shared pinch us. Though he whitethorn nary longer beryllium pinch america successful body, his tone will ever remain, a guiding ray successful nan lives he touched. Rest successful peace, Joe Don," his obituary concluded. "You will beryllium dearly missed but ne'er forgotten."

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