Max Baer Jr., the American actor known for his work in movies and TV shows, continues to captivate audiences even today. As the son of renowned boxer Max Baer, he had big shoes to fill and prove his own talent. And he did not disappoint. Over the course of his three-decade career in Hollywood, Max Baer Jr. showcased his versatility in various roles. However, it was his portrayal of Jethro Bodine in the 1962 TV series The Beverly Hillbillies that truly made him a household name. Although he retired from acting at the age of 54 in 1991, Max Baer Jr. didn’t cease his entrepreneurial pursuits.
Discover the fascinating life of this iconic actor. Explore his biography, wiki, age, height, notable movies, awards, family background including parents, wife, children, and siblings. Uncover his impressive net worth and find out what he’s up to now. Dive into the world of Max Baer Jr. and be captivated by his extraordinary journey.
Table of Contents
Who is Max Baer Jr.?
Max Baer Jr., a multi-talented personality in the American entertainment industry, has made significant contributions as an actor, comedian, director, and producer. He actively worked in the film industry from 1960 to 1991, establishing his own identity separate from his famous boxer father, Max Baer.
Biography/Wiki
| Full name | Maximilian Adalbert Baer |
| Nickname | Max |
| Date of Birth | September 04, 1937 |
| Age | 85 years |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Profession | Actor, Screenwriter, Director, Producer |
| Net worth | $60 million (approx.) |
| Parents | Max Baer and Mary Ellen Sullivan |
| Siblings | A brother and a sister |
| Spouse | Joanne Kathleen Hill (m. 1966, div. 1971) |
| Best known for | Jethro Bodine in The Beverly Hillibilles |
Max Baer Jr. Early Life, Parents, Siblings, Education
Max Baer Jr., whose full name is Maximilian Adalbert Baer, was born on December 4, 1937, at East Oakland Hospital in Oakland, California. His parents are Max Baer and Mary Ellen Sullivan. Max Baer Sr. had German Jewish ancestry, while his mother had Scots-Irish heritage, resulting in a diverse ethnic background for Max Jr. In addition to his parents, Max Jr. has a younger brother named James Manny Baer and a younger sister named Maude Baer. James worked as an accountant for AK Steel, Rainbow Liquor, and Barbarian Bros. Sadly, he passed away in 2009.
Son of Boxer Max Baer
Max Baer, the father of Max Baer Jr., was a renowned and accomplished boxer in his time. He had a remarkable career in the ring and held the title of world heavyweight champion from 1934 to 1935. With an impressive record of 71 victories and only 13 losses, Max Baer Sr. dominated the boxing world from 1929 to 1941. His exceptional punching power earned him the 22nd rank among the 100 greatest punchers of all time, as recognized by Ring magazine. Additionally, Max Baer Sr.’s brother, Jacob Henry Baer, known as Buddy Baer, also pursued a career as a heavyweight boxer.
While boxing was his primary pursuit, Max Baer Sr. also ventured into acting. He appeared in several films, with some centered around the sport of boxing and others in various genres. He also made guest appearances on multiple television shows.
Sadly, Max Baer Sr. passed away on November 21, 1959, due to a heart attack. To honor his legacy, parks in Livermore, California, and Sacramento have been named after him. In 1988, he was posthumously inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. The Max Baer Heart Fund, dedicated to heart research and education in the United States, continues to operate in his name.
Now, turning our attention to Max Baer Jr., he attended Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, where he displayed athletic prowess. He excelled in sports, winning letters in four different sports and even securing the junior title at the Sacramento Open golf tournament on two occasions. Following high school, Max pursued higher education at Santa Clara University in California, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in philosophy.
Max Baer Jr. Girlfriend, Wife, Children, Personal Life
Max Baer Jr.’s personal life has seen its fair share of relationships and complexities. He married Joanne Kathleen Hill on July 30, 1966. However, their marriage ended in separation after five years in 1971, and the reason for their separation remains undisclosed. Joanne Hill is an actress with an estimated net worth of around $9 million. They did not have any children together, and neither Max nor Joanne remarried following their separation.
Subsequently, Max Baer Jr. entered into a relationship with actress Victoria Principal. Victoria is a well-known Japanese-American actress famous for her portrayal of Pamela Barnes Ewing in the television series Dallas for nine years. Max and Victoria dated for a period of time, but their relationship took a negative turn when Max Jr. allegedly slapped her. At the time, he denied the accusation, but after 35 years, in 2005, Max admitted to the incident. He claimed that Victoria was behaving inappropriately and that she deserved the slap. Furthermore, Max Baer Jr. expressed no remorse for his actions.
Additionally, Max had a long-term relationship with model Chere Rhodes. Tragically, Chere Rhodes took her own life at the age of 30, and the reasons behind her decision remain unknown. She died from a self-inflicted gunshot. The police discovered a note indicating relationship problems, but Max Baer Jr. has not publicly commented on the matter. Following this relationship, there have been no rumors or reports regarding Max Baer Jr.’s involvement with any other women.
Max Baer Movies and TV Shows
Max Baer Jr., part of an acting lineage, commenced his career at age 12 in 1949 with a Blackpool Pavilion production, officially launching in 1960. He showcased his talents across 18 television series and films, captivating audiences in 10 different shows, each with IMDb ratings of 7 or higher, within 1960 to 1962. These included Maverick, Surfside 6, Hawaiian Eye, and 77 Sunset Strip, with multiple episode appearances. His adult debut in Maverick in 1957 also offered the opportunity to work alongside renowned actors like Jack Kelly, James Garner, and Roger Moore.
In 1962, Max landed the character of Jethro Bodine in the immensely popular Beverly Hillbillies, marking his breakthrough. The comedy series, helmed by Paul Henning, had Max deliver an unforgettable portrayal of the dim-witted Jethro across 253 episodes from 1962 to 1971, a first in his career.
Transitioning into production, Max Baer Jr.’s debut was the TV movie, Two for the Money, in 1972, directed by Bernard L. Kowalski. He didn’t stop at producing; he also directed several drama films and independent films, including Macon County Line in 1974, where he also played Deputy Reed Morgan.
Post-Acting Activities
After his appearances in Murder, She Wrote as Johnny Wheeler and state trooper Boone Willoughby in 1989 and 1991 respectively, Max Baer Jr.’s acting career seemed to come to a close.
In 1985, Max Baer Jr. shifted his focus towards the gambling industry. Leveraging his iconic role as Jethro from The Beverly Hillbillies, he obtained sublicensing rights from the show’s creators. Acquiring the rights and developing ideas for this venture reportedly cost nearly US$1 million, according to his business partner. After 14 years of careful observation and planning, Max Baer Jr. introduced sixty-five Beverly Hillbillies slot machines in 1999, placing them in 10 casinos. Over the years, the business faced its fair share of ups and downs, with fluctuations in its success and profitability continuing until 2014.
Max Baer Jr. Net Worth, Awards
Max Baer Jr. has amassed significant wealth throughout his career, which spans almost four decades and includes acting, directing, producing, and business ventures in the hotel and gambling industries. His current estimated net worth is approximately $50-60 million. He has worked as a screenwriter, actor, film producer, and film director, showcasing his versatility and talent across multiple roles.
While Max Baer Jr. may not have received numerous awards, he did receive the TV Land Award for Favorite Fish Out of Water in 2004. This award recognized his portrayal of Jethro Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies, a role that remains one of his most memorable contributions to television.
Interesting Trivia on Max Baer Jr.
- Max Baer Jr. was a good friend of Frank Buddy Ebsen, the famous American actor. However, he passed away in 2003. Buddy was Max’s acting mentor too. He also appeared in the episode for Buddy Ebsen in Biography as an interviewee in 2005.
- Max is the surrogate nephew of Buddy Ebsen. In 1962, he revealed his close relationship with Ebsen.
- After the sad demise of Donna Douglas in 2015, Max Baer is the only living regular cast from The Beverly Hillibilles.
- He is the uncle of American actress, model, and exotic dancer Amy Lynn Baxter.
- Max Bear got his breakthrough character quite surprisingly. He drove his roommate for this audition and then himself auditioned for Jethro’s role.
- In Macon County Line, Max did acting, directing, and producing. Later, he told if this movie won’t be successful, he have to sell door to door.
- Max once mentioned that he does 300 to 400 crunches every day.
Body Measurements, Height, Weight, Size
Max Baer Jr., the American actor and entertainer, possesses impressive body measurements. Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) and weighing approximately 80 kilograms (176 lbs), he exudes a commanding presence. His striking black hair adds to his charismatic appearance, complemented by his captivating brown eyes. With a shoe size of 8, Max Baer Jr. not only showcases his talent in the entertainment industry but also embodies a well-proportioned physical stature. It is worth noting that Max Baer Jr. identifies as straight in terms of sexual orientation.
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Height and Weight | 6 feet 4 inches, 80 kgs |
| Shoe Size | 8 |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Is Max Baer Jr Alive?
Max Baer Jr, the talented American actor, film producer, and director, born on December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, is alive and thriving. Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, we can confirm that Max Baer Jr is still with us. He has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, captivating audiences on both the big and small screen.
Max Baer Jr is best remembered for his iconic portrayal of Jethro Bodine in the beloved TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies,” which aired from 1962 to 1971. In this role, he shared the screen with legendary actors like Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas, and Irene Ryan, gracing over 270 episodes with his undeniable talent. The critical acclaim he received and the adoration from fans worldwide are a testament to his dedication and skill.
Beyond acting, Max Baer Jr has made significant contributions as a film producer and director. His passion for storytelling and his willingness to take creative risks have resulted in the creation of timeless films that continue to resonate with audiences.
Despite his success, Max Baer Jr has chosen to lead a modest life in Los Angeles, California, away from the glare of the spotlight. His unwavering commitment to his craft and his humble nature serve as an inspiration to aspiring actors and filmmakers across the globe.
Max Baer Jr Age & Height
Born on December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, Max Baer Jr is currently 85 years old as of 2023. Standing at an impressive height of 1.93 m (6 feet 4 inches), his stature commands attention.
FAQs
Who is Max Baer Jr?
Max Baer Jr is an American actor, film producer, and director, born on December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, United States. He is best known for his role as Jethro Bodine in the TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies,” which ran from 1962 to 1971.
How old is Max Baer Jr?
Max Baer Jr was born on December 4, 1937, which makes him 85 years old as of 2023.
What is Max Baer Jr’s height?
Max Baer Jr stands tall at a height of 1.93 m (6 feet 4 inches).
Is Max Baer Jr still alive?
Yes, Max Baer Jr is still alive and living a quiet life in Los Angeles, California, United States. Despite rumors of his death, he has been proven to be hale and healthy.
What was Max Baer Jr’s most notable role?
Max Baer Jr’s most notable role was as Jethro Bodine in the TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies,” which he appeared in over 270 episodes from 1962 to 1971.