Joe Don Baker Net Worth 2026 Career Earnings

Joe Don Baker built an estimated net worth of $2 million at the time of his death on May 7, 2025, through his legendary career as a character actor in film and television.

Born on February 12, 1936, in Groesbeck, Texas, the actor became famous for playing tough guy characters on both sides of the law.

He achieved stardom playing Sheriff Buford Pusser in the 1973 film Walking Tall, which grossed $40 million on just a $500,000 budget. Baker appeared in more than 80 acting credits during his career spanning 1963 to 2012.

He played Brad Whitaker in the 1987 James Bond film The Living Daylights, then returned to the franchise as CIA agent Jack Wade in GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). He earned a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in the 1985 BBC miniseries Edge of Darkness.

what is joe don baker net worth

Baker attended North Texas State College and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1958. He served in the United States Army before studying at the Actors Studio in New York City. He married Maria Dolores Rivero Torres on December 25, 1969, and they divorced in 1980. He died at age 89 in Los Angeles, California.

Quick Facts About Joe Don Baker

FactDetail
Full NameJoe Don Baker
Real NameJoe Don Baker (birth name)
Date of BirthFebruary 12, 1936
Place of BirthGroesbeck, Texas, USA
Net Worth (at death 2025)$2 million
Primary OccupationsActor
Career Span1963 to 2012
Notable WorksWalking Tall, James Bond films, Edge of Darkness

Who is Joe Don Baker?

Joe Don Baker was an American actor known for playing tough guy characters in westerns, crime dramas, and action films. He was born in Groesbeck, Texas to parents Edna McDonald and Doyle Charles Baker. His mother passed away when he was just 12 years old, and his aunt Anna Thompson raised him.

He played basketball and football as a linebacker and co captain at Groesbeck High School. He attended North Texas State College in Denton on a sports scholarship and became a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1958. He served two years in the United States Army before moving to New York City to study acting at the Actors Studio.

Joe Don Baker Social Media

PlatformHandleFollowersContent Focus
InstagramNot applicableN/ADied before social media era
FacebookNot applicableN/ADied before social media era
TwitterNot applicableN/ADied before social media era
LegacyFan pages existVariousTribute pages maintained by fans
read also :

Early Career and Broadway Beginnings

Joe Don Baker began his acting career on Broadway during the 1963 to 1964 season. He appeared in the production Marathon ’33 at the ANTA Theatre in New York City. He also performed in Blues for Mister Charlie in 1964, building his stage experience.

He made his television debut in a 1965 episode of Honey West. He guest starred on numerous westerns including Iron Horse (1966), Gunsmoke (1966 and 1969), and Bonanza (1968).

He appeared on shows like The Felony Squad (1967), The Outsider (1968), and Mod Squad (1969). In 1967, he had an uncredited role in the classic film Cool Hand Luke. He followed this with roles in Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969) and Wild Rovers (1971).

Walking Tall Breakthrough and Stardom

In 1973, Joe Don Baker landed his breakthrough role as Sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall. The biographical vigilante action film was directed by Phil Karlson and released in February 1973. The movie connected with audiences and became an unexpected hit across the country.

It earned $23 million at the box office, later reported as $40 million on a $500,000 budget. Influential film critic Pauline Kael praised his performance in the role. However, Baker decided not to star in the sequel despite the film’s massive success.

Later in 1973, he appeared in Charley Varrick as a mafia hitman alongside Walter Matthau. He also co starred with Robert Duvall in the crime film The Outfit. These roles solidified his reputation as a versatile character actor who could play both heroes and villains.

read also :

James Bond Franchise Appearances

Joe Don Baker joined the James Bond franchise in 1987 playing arms dealer Brad Whitaker in The Living Daylights. The film starred Timothy Dalton as James Bond and grossed $191.2 million at the worldwide box office. Baker played the villain with menace and received positive reviews for his performance.

In 1995, he returned to the franchise playing a completely different character, CIA agent Jack Wade. He appeared alongside Pierce Brosnan’s Bond in GoldenEye, which earned $356.4 million at the box office.

He reprised the Jack Wade role in 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies, which grossed $333 million worldwide. Baker became one of the few actors to play both a Bond villain and a Bond ally. His three appearances in the franchise introduced him to international audiences and cemented his status in popular culture.

read also :

Television Success and Edge of Darkness

From 1979 to 1980, Baker starred as Chief of Detectives Earl Eischied on the NBC crime drama Eischied. The series aired 13 episodes and showcased his ability to carry a television show. In 1985, he played CIA agent Darius Jedburgh in the acclaimed BBC television serial Edge of Darkness.

His performance earned him a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor, though he lost to co star Bob Peck. The miniseries received critical acclaim and remains a landmark of British television drama. In 1989, he appeared in four episodes of In the Heat of the Night, replacing Carroll O’Connor while the star underwent surgery.

In 1997, he portrayed Alabama governor Big Jim Folsom in the television film George Wallace. His performance earned him a Satellite Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.

read also :

Notable Film Roles and Later Career

Joe Don Baker appeared in numerous memorable films throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He played the Whammer in 1984’s The Natural alongside Robert Redford, portraying a baseball player modeled on Babe Ruth. In 1985, he played corrupt Police Chief Jerry Karlin in the Chevy Chase comedy Fletch.

Martin Scorsese directed him as a private detective in the 1991 thriller Cape Fear with Robert De Niro and Nick Nolte. He appeared in Reality Bites (1994) with Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke. He had roles in Congo (1995), Mars Attacks! (1996), and The Dukes of Hazzard (2005).

His final film role came in 2012 when he played King in the coming of age drama Mud. The National Board of Review named Mud one of the Top Ten Independent Films of 2013. He retired after this role, ending a nearly 50 year acting career.

read also :

Personal Life and Death

Joe Don Baker married Maria Dolores Rivero Torres on Christmas Day in 1969. The couple divorced in 1980 after more than a decade of marriage. Baker kept his personal life extremely private after the divorce and did not remarry publicly. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of North Texas in 1994.

He cited screen legends Robert Mitchum and Spencer Tracy as his acting inspirations throughout his career. On May 7, 2025, Baker died at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles, California. He was 89 years old at the time of his death.

His family released a statement saying he was a noted member of the Performing Arts Community. He was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. The cause of death was lung cancer after a period of declining health.

Joe Don Baker Net Worth: Walking Tall Star's $2 Million Fortune (2026)
read also :

Joe Don Baker Income Sources

Income SourceEstimated Amount
Film Salaries (1967 to 2012)$1 million to $1.5 million
Television Series and Movies$500,000 to $750,000
James Bond Franchise$300,000 to $500,000
Residuals and Royalties$200,000 to $300,000
Broadway and Theater Work$50,000 to $100,000

Net Worth Comparison with Character Actors

ActorNet WorthFamous RolesCareer Span
Joe Don Baker$2 millionWalking Tall, James Bond films1963 to 2012
Robert Mitchum$10 millionCape Fear, Night of the Hunter1943 to 1997
Robert Duvall$70 millionThe Godfather, Apocalypse Now1952 to present
Robert De Niro$500 millionTaxi Driver, Goodfellas1963 to present

FAQs About Joe Don Baker

Joe Don Baker’s net worth was estimated at $2 million at the time of his death in 2025.

Joe Don Baker was 89 years old when he died on May 7, 2025.

Joe Don Baker was most famous for playing Sheriff Buford Pusser in the 1973 film Walking Tall.

Yes, Joe Don Baker appeared in three James Bond films: The Living Daylights (1987), GoldenEye (1995), and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997).

Yes, Joe Don Baker married Maria Dolores Rivero Torres in 1969, and they divorced in 1980.

Joe Don Baker’s last movie was Mud in 2012, where he played the character King.

Joe Don Baker was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actor for Edge of Darkness and received other nominations throughout his career.

Joe Don Baker attended North Texas State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1958.

Joe Don Baker died from lung cancer at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles.

Yes, Joe Don Baker served in the United States Army for two years before pursuing acting.

Conclusion

Joe Don Baker’s $2 million net worth reflected his nearly 50 year career as a respected character actor. His memorable performance in Walking Tall made him a star and defined action cinema. His three James Bond films introduced him to worldwide audiences. He died on May 7, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of tough guy roles and memorable performances.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *