Some individuals aspire to be actors throughout their lives, dedicating significant effort to achieve their ambitions. Conversely, others, such as the renowned Max Baer Jr., who became famous for his memorable portrayal of Jethro Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies, stumbled into the acting profession by chance.
Max Baer Jr. was born on December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, to boxing icon Max Baer and Mary Ellen Sullivan. From a young age, he was passionate about sports but chose not to pursue a career in boxing. Instead, he focused on golf, achieving notable success by winning the pro-am division of the Andy Williams Golf Classic in San Diego while partnered with professional golfer Charlie Sifford.
In 1971, Baer remarked to The Times, “Acting, though, is really only a hobby with me. Golf is my occupation.”
Despite his initial view of acting as a pastime, it was this very pursuit that catapulted him to fame, earning him the admiration of millions globally. The circumstances that led Baer to Hollywood are quite remarkable and resemble a cinematic narrative. One day, while riding his motorcycle to Los Angeles, he stopped at the Warner Bros. lot. An executive noticed him, approached, and remarked on his resemblance to James Garner, subsequently encouraging Baer to explore acting, which intrigued him. Shortly thereafter, he landed minor roles in television series such as 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, and Hawaiian Eye, despite having no prior acting experience.
Following an audition, Baer secured the role in The Beverly Hillbillies, a show that depicted the life of the Clampett family, a poor, rural clan from the Ozarks who relocate to affluent Beverly Hills, California, after discovering oil on their property. Baer shared with Medium, “When you play a role like Jethro, it’s for others to judge because it’s quite challenging to be subjective or objective about oneself. You simply strive to perform your best with the material provided and enhance it with your interpretation as much as possible. Ultimately, it is the audience that determines the outcome, saying, ‘Well, we liked what you did’ or…”When asked about his favorite episode, Baer expressed that he found it impossible to choose one. “I don’t really have any favorites since I portray the same character repeatedly. It’s quite challenging to determine which episodes resonate with me more than others. I mean, out of 274 episodes, which one would I select?” he shared with The Five Count on KMSU Radio.
Among the talented actors who contributed to the show’s legacy as a true Hollywood classic, Baer stands as the sole surviving cast member. The death of Buddy Ebsen, who portrayed Jed Clampett, was a significant loss for Baer. He reminisced about their final conversation, which took place after Ebsen’s wife informed him that her husband had little time left.
Baer, along with Donna Douglas, who played Elly May, hurried to the hospital to visit Ebsen one last time. “I tiptoed in,” Baer recounted to The Courier-Journal in 2008. “Buddy was lying there with his eyes closed and a catheter in place. I placed my hand on his head, and he said, ‘Jethro.’ It was such a touching moment.”
After the series concluded, Baer did not receive a flood of offers for new roles. Many people continued to see him solely as Jethro, making it difficult for him to secure other parts. However, he did make guest appearances on various shows, including Love, Fantasy Island, and Murder, She Wrote.
Subsequently, Baer shifted his focus to producing and directing. His notable films include Ode to Billie Joe and the small-town thriller Macon County Line (1974), which proved to be financially successful, earning him millions and establishing him as a prosperous businessman. In 1991, he acquired the rights to The Beverly Hillbillies name from CBS. Baer was previously married to Joanne Hill from 1966 to 1971, but after their divorce, he chose not to remarry.
Reflecting on his decision not to have children, Baer told Fore Magazine, “I never had any kids because I don’t believe I could have been the father my father was to me.”
Later in his life, Baer entered into a relationship with Chere Rhodes, a California model who was 30 years younger than him. Tragically, she passed away in an accident.
