‘GoldenEye’ Actor Joe Don Baker Dead at 89: He Was ‘A Beacon of Kindness and Generosity’

Actor Joe Don Baker has died at age 89. His family confirmed the news in an obituary posted on Legacy on Tuesday, May 13.

The obituary described Baker as “a beacon of kindness and generosity.” His family said that he died on May 7.

“His intellectual curiosity made him a voracious reader, inspiring a great love of nature and animals, particularly cats,” the obituary said. “Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.”

Baker’s early years were spent in Groesbeck, Texas. After graduating college in 1958 and a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, he went on to study at the Actor’s Studio in New York City. It was there that he “gained valuable acting experience performing in the lively NY Theater scene.”

He earned more than 80 acting credits throughout his career, including several appearances in the James Bond film series. In The Living Daylights, which starred Timothy Dalton, Baker portrayed Brad Whitaker. He returned to the James Bond series in GoldenEye and Tomorrow Never Dies as CIA agent Jack Wade in 1995 and 1997, respectively.

“Eventually, he moved to Los Angeles, where his acting career gradually took off,” the obituary said, explaining that he started “with small television parts” and “eventually progressed to major acting roles as leading man and later in life as a character actor.”

Baker appeared in several Westerns, including Guns of the Magnificent Seven, Wild Rovers and Walking Tall. His most recent acting appearance came in 2012’s Mud.

“His film acting accolades include winning the Robert Altman Award for his role on Mud and nominations for the for the miniseries George Wallace,” the obituary said. “He performed in numerous television productions, including a starring role in the popular series Eischied and an outstanding performance on the acclaimed British television production of Edge of Darkness, which earned him a Best Actor nomination from the British Academy of Television.”

Baker had been married for 11 years to Marlo Baker from 1969 to 1980. They did not have any children during their marriage, the obituary said.

“He is survived by relations in his native Groesbeck, who will forever cherish his memory,” the obituary said. “He is mourned by a small but very close circle of friends who will miss him eternally.”

“As we say goodbye to Joe Don, we hold onto the memories and the love he shared with us,” his loved ones wrote. “Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will always remain, a guiding light in the lives he touched. Rest in peace, Joe Don. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten.”

A funeral service will be held for the actor on May 20, 2025. The obituary said, “To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.”