Joe Don Baker
ActingAbout Joe Don Baker
Joe Don Baker (February 12, 1936 - May 7, 2025) was an American film actor, perhaps best known for his roles as a Mafia hitman in Charley Varrick, real-life Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall, James Bond villain Brad Whitaker in The Living Daylights, and CIA agent Jack Wade in the James Bond films GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Joe Don Baker reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Joe Don Baker's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 36% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Joe Don Baker remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Inside The Living Daylights, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Joe Don Baker Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Joe Don Baker's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Joe Don Baker.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Mud | King | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | Strange Wilderness | Bill Calhoun | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Governor Jim Applewhite | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | Joe Dirt | Don, Brandy's Dad (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Inside The Living Daylights | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Inside 'The Living Daylights' | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Poodle Springs | P.J. Parker | Flop | Similar → |
| 1997 | Tomorrow Never Dies | Wade | Average | Similar → |
| 1997 | George Wallace | Big Jim Folsom | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Mars Attacks! | Glenn Norris | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Grass Harp | Sheriff Junius Candle | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Siege at Ruby Ridge | Gerry Spence | Flop | Similar → |
| 1995 | GoldenEye | Jack Wade | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Congo | R.B. Travis | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Panther | Brimmer | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | The Underneath | Clay Hinkle | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Felony | Donovan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1994 | Ring of Steel | Man in Black | Flop | Similar → |
| 1994 | Reality Bites | Tom Pierce | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Complex of Fear | Det. Frank Farrel | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | The Distinguished Gentleman | Olaf Andersen | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Citizen Cohn | Sen. Joseph McCarthy | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Cape Fear | Claude Kersek | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | The Children | Cliffe Wheater | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Criminal Law | Detective Mesel | Average | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Killing Time | Carl Cunningham | Flop | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Living Daylights | Brad Whitaker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Abduction of Kari Swenson | Sheriff Onstad | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Fletch | Chief Jerry Karlin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | The Natural | The Whammer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | Joysticks | Joseph Rutter | Flop | Similar → |
| 1982 | Wacko | Dick Harbinger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1977 | The Pack | Jerry | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Speedtrap | Pete Novick | Average | Similar → |
| 1977 | The Shadow of Chikara | Wishbone Cutter | Flop | Similar → |
| 1977 | Checkered Flag or Crash | Walkaway Madden | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | Framed | Ron Lewis | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | Golden Needles | Dan Mason | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Outfit | Jack Cody | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Charley Varrick | Molly | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Walking Tall | Buford Pusser | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | That Certain Summer | Phil Bonner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Junior Bonner | Curly Bonner | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Valachi Papers | Irish member of Valachi gang (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | Mongo's Back in Town | Mongo Nash | Flop | Similar → |
| 1971 | Wild Rovers | Paul Buckman | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | Adam at Six A.M. | Harvey Gavin | Flop | Similar → |
| 1969 | Guns of the Magnificent Seven | Slater | Flop | Similar → |
| 1967 | Cool Hand Luke | Fixer | Super Hit | Similar → |
Joe Don Baker - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Joe Don Baker?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Joe Don Baker is "Inside The Living Daylights" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Joe Don Baker acted in?
Joe Don Baker has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Joe Don Baker?
Other notable films include "Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade", "Cool Hand Luke", and "Cape Fear".