Max Baer
Biography
Max Baer was an actor born in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 11, 1909, and he passed away on November 21, 1959, at the age of fifty. Known for his acting work with twenty known credits, he is the father of actor Max Baer Jr., who played Jethro Bodine on the television series The Beverly Hillbillies. In real life, Max Baer Sr. was boxing's heavyweight champion of the world from June 14, 1934, when he knocked out Primo Carnera, until June 13, 1935, when he lost the title to Jimmy Braddock. Cinephiles may remember him from film roles including Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's Africa Screams and Budd Schulberg's boxing expose The Harder They Fall.
Career overview
Max Baer was an actor and boxer who accumulated twenty known credits in the acting category according to data from The Movie Database. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 11, 1909, he built a life and career that extended from sports into film and television. In addition to his athletic background, he appeared in numerous bit roles in films, such as the 1949 comedy Africa Screams starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, and a near-autobiographical turn in the boxing expose The Harder They Fall, which was written by Budd Schulberg.
Beyond his own acting career, Baer is also recognized as the father of actor Max Baer Jr., who portrayed the character Jethro Bodine on the classic television series The Beverly Hillbillies beginning in 1962. Max Baer Sr. himself gained widespread historical renown as boxing's heavyweight champion of the world for a period of 364 days. He held the title from the time he knocked out Primo Carnera on June 14, 1934, until he lost it to Jimmy Braddock on June 13, 1935. His reign as a champion and his subsequent film appearances later inspired references in media, including the 2005 film Cinderella Man. Max Baer passed away on November 21, 1959, at the age of fifty.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
20 titles- Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Tender Hearted Tiger: Max Baer (1964)
- Once Upon a Horse... (1958) as Ben
- Utah Blaine (1957) as Gus Ortmann
- Playhouse 90 (1956) as Mike
- The Harder They Fall (1956) as Buddy Brannen
- Requiem for a Heavyweight (1956) as Mike
- The Abbott and Costello Show (1952) as Killer King
- Skipalong Rosenbloom (1951) as Butcher Baer
- The Champs Step Out (1951) as Max
- Riding High (1950) as Bertie (uncredited)
- Bride for Sale (1949) as Litka
- Africa Screams (1949) as Grappler McCoy
- Buckskin Frontier (1943) as Tiny
- Ladies' Day (1943) as Hippo Jones
- The Navy Comes Through (1942) as Coxswain G. Berringer
- The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942) as Professor Samson
- Fisticuffs (1938) as Himself
- Over She Goes (1937) as Silas Morner
- The Prizefighter and the Lady (1933) as Steve Morgan
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Max Baer best known for?
Max Baer is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Playhouse 90 (1956), The Harder They Fall (1956), Doc Hollywood (1991), Riding High (1950).
When and where was Max Baer born?
Max Baer was born on February 11, 1909 in Omaha - Nebraska - USA. They passed away on November 21, 1959.
How many credits does Max Baer have?
Max Baer has accumulated over 20 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1933 to 1983.
What is Max Baer's background in cinema and television?
Max Baer was an actor born in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 11, 1909, and he passed away on November 21, 1959, at the age of fifty. Known for his acting work with twenty known credits, he is the father of actor Max Baer Jr., who played Jethro Bodine on the television series The Beverly Hillbillies. In real life, Max Bae...
Max Baer by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Playhouse 90 (1956) as Mike — aged about 47
- The Harder They Fall (1956) as Buddy Brannen — aged about 47
- The Abbott and Costello Show (1952) as Killer King — aged about 43
- Riding High (1950) as Bertie (uncredited) — aged about 41
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