Credit: United International Pictures
James Bond Star Has Died
A three-time James Bond star has tragically died aged 89.
After hearing the heartbreaking news, fans have taken to social media to pay tribute.
One person writes: “He was a real good actor… A true silver screen Gem for many years… God bless him.
Another user comments: “He was in so many films!! I admit I always recognize his face. He had a fantastic career. May he rest in peace.”
“One of those rare actors who just dominated every scene he was in. RIP, SIR,” a third adds.
“I loved him in Bond,” a fourth pens. “He starred in my favourite ever film scene.”
Joe Don Baker was known for his ‘tough guy’ roles in films, establishing himself through supporting roles in Guns of the Magnificent Seven and Wild Rovers.
Baker’s breakthrough role was as the real-life Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall, which became a box-office hit.
Baker also became to first American Bond villain and one of the only few actors to return to the franchise as another character.
Not only did he star in three Bond movies, but he also made the rare switch from villain to Bond good guy.
The 89-year-old played arms dealer Brad Whitaker in The Living Daylights alongside Timothy Dalton as 007.
He then returned as CIA agent Jack Wade in the 1995 and 1997 movies GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies alongside Pierce Brosnan.
Baker was also nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor for his role as CIA agent Darius Jedburgh in the BBC miniseries Edge of Darkness.
The star also played a private detective in Martin Scorsese’s remake of Cape Fear and an alcoholic military veteran in The Cleaner on A&E.
Baker also played King in Mud, which stars Matthew McConaughey.
The actor announced his retirement from acting in 2012, after an acting career spanning nearly five decades and over 50 film titles.
Baker’s obituary reads: “Joe Don was a beacon of kindness and generosity. His intellectual curiosity made him a voracious reader, inspiring a great love of nature and animals, particularly cats.
“Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.”
The acting legend’s family announced Baker died on May 7, but the cause of death has not been disclosed.
The obituary also states: “He is survived by relations in his native Groesbeck, who will forever cherish his memory. He is mourned by a small but very close circle of friends who will miss him eternally.”
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