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Joe Don Baker, Star of Walking Tall, Dies at 89

Joe Don Baker, the actor who became a 1970s icon for his fierce role as Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall (1973), has died at 89.

His portrayal of the real-life lawman who used a wooden club to fight crime earned critical praise and box office success,

launching him into tough-guy stardom. Baker’s raw intensity made him a favorite for gritty roles throughout the

’70s and ’80s in films like Mitchell and Charley Varrick, as well as in three James Bond movies where he played CIA agent Jack Wade.

Born in Groesbeck, Texas, in 1936, Baker overcame early personal hardship and served in the U.S. Army before studying at New York’s

Actors Studio. He developed a signature mix of brute force and emotional depth, bringing complex characters to life.

Though he later stepped out of the spotlight, Baker remained respected in the industry for his professionalism and powerful

screen presence. His Walking Tall role remains one of the most iconic depictions of vigilante justice in film history.

He is survived by extended family and friends, who remember both his commanding performances and the quiet strength he carried off-screen.