Max Baer Jr.

Career overview

Maximilian Adalbert “Max” Baer Jr., born December 4 1937 in Oakland, California, began his performing career as a child, appearing in a stage production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Blackpool Pavilion in England in 1949. He entered professional television work in 1960 after signing with Warner Bros., where he secured guest roles on a series of popular programs, including Maverick, Surfside 6, Hawaiian Eye, Cheyenne, The Roaring 20s, and 77 Sunset Strip. Those early appearances helped establish him as a regular presence in the Warner Bros. television roster of the early 1960s.

Baer’s most recognizable role came when he was cast as Jethro Bodine, the dim‑witted nephew of Jed Clampett, on the sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies. The character became a cultural touchstone, and Baer remained associated with the show throughout its run. Following the death of co‑star Donna Douglas in January 2015, he was noted as the last surviving member of the series’ principal cast. In addition to acting, Baer’s career later encompassed work as a screenwriter, producer, and director, though his public profile remains centered on his acting contributions, which total 26 credited roles according to the Motion Picture Database. He has not received any award nominations or wins recorded in the cited sources.