Max Baer Jr. Age, Height, Net Worth, Wife, Kids, Career, And Where Is He Now?

Max Baer Jr., a prominent American actor renowned for his contributions to both the big and small screens, continues to enthrall audiences to this day. He had to live up to his father, Max Baer, a great boxer, while finding his own potential. He did so confidently. Over 30 years in Hollywood, Max Baer Jr. showed his flexibility in several roles. Yet, it was his portrayal of Jethro Bodine in the beloved 1962 TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies” that truly etched his name into the hearts of households across the nation. Despite retiring from acting at the age of 54 in 1991, Max Baer Jr. didn’t halt his entrepreneurial endeavors.

Embark on a journey to discover the captivating life of this iconic actor. Delve into his biography, explore his wiki, learn about his age, height, noteworthy movies, accolades, and delve into his family background, including details about his parents, wife, children, and siblings. Uncover the extent of his impressive net worth and stay updated on his current ventures. Immerse yourself in the world of Max Baer Jr. and be spellbound by his extraordinary path.

Max Baer Jr – biography, age

Max Baer Jr. was born to Max Baer and Mary Ellen Sullivan in Oakland, California, on December 4, 1937. He had a mixed heritage that included German, Jewish, and Scottish-Irish ancestry. Among his siblings, which also included James Manny Baer and Maude Baer, Max was the oldest.

Growing up, Baer Jr. was immersed in a family known for their connection to boxing. His father, Max Baer Sr., was a renowned World Heavyweight Champion with an impressive record of 63 wins and 13 losses. Additionally, his uncle Buddy Baer was not only a boxer but also ventured into acting.

Max Baer Jr. pursued his education in Sacramento at Christian Brothers High School. He excelled in sports, earning letters in four different disciplines. Golf was a particular strength, as he clinched the junior title at the Sacramento Open golf tournament twice. He later received a BA in business administration with a philosophy minor from Santa Clara University.

Baer Jr. began acting in 1960, after his uncle Buddy Baer, who had been performing since 1937. He debuted on ABC’s “Loners,” appearing in three episodes.

The same year, he featured in several other ABC television series, including “Surfside 6” as Joe Wilk, “Cheyenne” where he took on three different roles, “Hawaiian Eye” as Ali and Bill Gorham, and also “77 Sunset Strip” where he again assumed three roles. In 1961, he appeared in “Bronco” and “Sugar Foot” before making appearances in the episodes “The Sun” and “It’s a Men’s World” in 1962.

It was in that very year that he landed his most iconic role on the CBS sitcom television series, “The Beverly Hillbillies,” portraying Jethro Bodine. The show ran until 1971 and became the role Max was most closely associated with for many years. The role of Jethro wasn’t his first audition. He went to the audition with a friend and tried it himself.

Is Max Baer Jr Still Alive?

Yes, Max Baer Jr. is indeed alive and in good health. Despite rumors of his passing, he is very much alive and leading a peaceful life in Los Angeles, California. Maximilian Adalbert Baer Jr. came into the world on December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, USA. His astrological sign is Sagittarius, and he holds American citizenship. He is most famous for his portrayal of Jethro Bodine, a character he played in over 270 episodes of the beloved TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies” from 1962 to 1971, sharing the screen with actors like Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas, and Irene Ryan.

Where is Max Baer Jr now?

Max Baer has now retired from the entertainment industry at the age of 86. It was “The Beverly Hillbillies” that truly catapulted him into the realm of household names, and he was just in his twenties at the time. Beyond that iconic role, Baer Jr. also graced the screens in other notable shows like “Fantasy Island,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Matt Houston.”

Max Baer personal life

Max Baer’s lineage is deeply tied to boxing greatness, as he is the son of the renowned boxing champion Max Baer and Mary Ellen Sullivan. His family heritage is a blend of German Jewish from his paternal grandfather, and Scots-Irish from both his mother and paternal grandmother. Max has two siblings, James Manny Baer (1941–2009) and Maude Baer (born in 1943). Additionally, his uncle, Buddy Baer, was not only a distinguished boxer but also ventured into acting.

In 1966, Max Baer entered matrimony with Joanne Kathleen Hill. Unfortunately, their union came to an end, resulting in a divorce in 1971. They didn’t have any children together, and neither Max nor Joanne pursued further marriages. Nevertheless, Max experienced some intricate relationships in the years following their separation.

Is he gay?

While there may be some curiosity about the actor’s sexual orientation, there’s no evidence to suggest that he affirms such speculation, as he hasn’t publicly addressed it. He has been known to have been in relationships with women in the past and has not openly been involved with men.

Son of Boxer Max Baer

In the world of boxing, Max Baer, Max Baer Jr.’s father, had an enduring impression. He solidified his dominance from 1929 to 1941 while holding the title of world heavyweight champion from 1934 to 1935. He had a stellar record of 71 victories and just 13 losses throughout that time. Ring magazine named him 22nd on their 100 greatest punchers list due to his excellent punching. Buddy Baer, the brother of Max Baer Sr., also excelled in heavyweight.

The boxing prodigy Max Baer Sr. also acted in several films, some of which incorporated boxing. He also guest-starred on TV.

A heart attack killed Max Baer Sr. on November 21, 1959. His name is honored in Livermore and Sacramento parks. He entered the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame posthumously in 1988. His legacy lives on through the Max Baer Heart Fund, which funds US heart research and education.

Shifting our focus to Max Baer Jr., he attended Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, where he exhibited exceptional athletic abilities. His prowess extended across four different sports, culminating in his clinching of the junior title at the Sacramento Open golf tournament on two occasions. After completing high school, Max pursued higher education at Santa Clara University in California, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in philosophy.

Max Baer Jr Height

He stands at a height of 1.93 meters and weighs approximately 87 kilograms. Beyond his acting endeavors, Max also wears the hats of a director, screenwriter, and producer.

In 2015, Donna Douglas died, leaving him the only main cast member. His 1960–1991 acting career was spectacular. After investing less than $100,000, Max earned $35 million from box office and rental receipts despite being intimately identified with his Jethro Bodine persona. Quite the accomplishment for a man who joked about his “sixth-grade education”!

Max Baer net worth

An estimated $50 million is the net worth of American actor, producer, director, and screenwriter Max Baer Jr.

He put a lot of effort into making feature films, frequently working behind the scenes as a writer, producer, and director. One of his notable works is the drama “Macon County Line” (1974), where he also portrayed Deputy Reed Morgan. This film was particularly noteworthy for being the highest-grossing movie in relation to its initial investment during that period.

Max Baer Movies and TV Shows

Max Baer Jr., hailing from a lineage of actors, embarked on his acting journey at the tender age of 12 in 1949 with a production at Blackpool Pavilion. His official debut came in 1960, and over the years, he graced 18 television series and films. Notably, he left an indelible mark in 10 different shows, each garnering IMDb ratings of 7 or higher, all between 1960 and 1962. Some of these included classics like Maverick, Surfside 6, Hawaiian Eye, and 77 Sunset Strip, often making multiple appearances in episodes. His introduction to the adult acting world in Maverick in 1957 was a significant milestone, offering him the chance to work alongside luminaries such as Jack Kelly, James Garner, and Roger Moore.

However, it was in 1962 that Max Baer Jr. landed the role of Jethro Bodine in the immensely popular show “The Beverly Hillbillies,” which proved to be his breakthrough. Under the direction of Paul Henning, this comedy series saw Max deliver a memorable portrayal of the lovably dim-witted Jethro in a whopping 253 episodes from 1962 to 1971, marking a pivotal moment in his career.

Venturing into production, Max Baer Jr.’s inaugural foray was the TV movie “Two for the Money” in 1972, directed by Bernard L. Kowalski. But he didn’t stop at producing; he also took on directing roles in various drama and independent films, with the notable example being “Macon County Line” in 1974, where he not only directed but also took on the role of Deputy Reed Morgan.

Post-Acting Activities

Following his roles in “Murder, She Wrote” as Johnny Wheeler in 1989 and state trooper Boone Willoughby in 1991, it appeared that Max Baer Jr.’s acting career was winding down.

In 1985, he shifted his focus towards the gambling industry. Drawing on his iconic portrayal of Jethro from “The Beverly Hillbillies,” he secured sublicensing rights from the show’s creators. This endeavor involved a significant investment, reportedly nearing the million-dollar mark according to his business partner. After meticulously planning for 14 years, Max Baer Jr. introduced sixty-five Beverly Hillbillies slot machines in 1999, placing them in 10 different casinos. The business experienced its share of highs and lows over the years, with fluctuations in both success and profitability persisting until 2014.

FAQs about Max Baer Jr.

1. Is Max Baer Jr. still alive?

Max Baer Jr. is indeed alive and well. He is now in his mid-80s and was born on December 4th, 1937.

2. Where is Max Baer Jr. now?

Max Baer Jr. has retired from the entertainment industry. He resides in Los Angeles, California.

3. What is Max Baer Jr.’s background in acting?

Max Baer Jr. began acting in 1960 and participated in “Loners,” “Surfside 6,” “Hawaiian Eye,” and others. His most famous role was Jethro Bodine on “The Beverly Hillbillies” from 1962 to 1971.

4. Who were Max Baer Jr.’s family members?

Max Baer Jr.’s father was the renowned boxer Max Baer, and his mother was Mary Ellen Sullivan. He had two siblings, James Manny Baer and Maude Baer. His uncle, Buddy Baer, was also a notable boxer and actor.

5. Did Max Baer Jr. have any children?

Max Baer Jr. did not have any children from his marriage to Joanne Kathleen Hill, which ended in divorce in 1971.

6. What is Max Baer Jr.’s net worth?

Max Baer Jr. may be worth $50 million. His acting, producing, and directing made him rich.

7. What are some notable movies and TV shows Max Baer Jr. appeared in?

Max Baer Jr. appeared in “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Fantasy Island,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “Matt Houston.” He appears in 1974’s “Macon County Line”.

8. What is Max Baer Jr.’s height and weight?

Max Baer Jr. is 1.93 meters tall, or around 6 feet 4 inches, and weighs about 87 kilograms, or roughly 191 pounds.

Final Words

In retrospect, Max Baer Jr. emerges as a multifaceted figure who navigated the legacy of a boxing legend to carve out his own distinct path in Hollywood. From his early days at Christian Brothers High School to the iconic portrayal of Jethro Bodine in “The Beverly Hillbillies,” Baer Jr. captivated audiences across generations. Beyond the screen, his foray into the gambling industry showcased his entrepreneurial spirit.

Today, Max Baer Jr. resides in Los Angeles, a living testament to a career marked by versatility and enduring appeal. As we reflect on his journey, we’re reminded of the indelible mark he left on the entertainment world, leaving behind a legacy that continues to enchant and inspire.