Toughness wins for Baker

Press, 29 March 1980, Page 13

Toughness wins for Baker

Joe Don Baker, one of TV’s, tough men, has been playing in "Power” from TVi, and appears in the “Eischied” series on Tuesdays.

A few lines in a school play during his senior year at college set Baker off on the path to becoming an actor.

He went on to do other school plays and larger roles before graduating and enlisting in the Army. While in the Army he studied drama at Washington University; after being released from service, Baker struggled for three years at odd Jobs before he was accepted as a member of Actors Studio.

His first ' Broadway break was a small part in June Havocs’s play’ ‘‘Marathon 33.” His next play, which won him critical approval was James Balwin’s “Blues for Mr Charlie.” •

Baker went on to try his luck in Hollywood and was soon landing roles in “Gunsmoke.” “Bonanza.” “Mod Squad,” “The Big Valley,” “Mission Impossible” and “Lancer.”

His movie debut was a small role in “Cool Hand Luke."

Baker has since starred

in numerous feature films and is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the legendary Tennessee

sheriff. Buford Pusser, in the box office hit “Walking Tall.” A more recent movie

familiar to viewers is “To Kill A Cop,” the pilot for the currently running “Eischied” series.