Max Baer Jr Biography, Net Worth, Personal Life

Maximilian Adelbert Baer Jr. was born on December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, to Mary Sullivan and former world heavyweight champion boxer Max Baer.

Early Life

He was born into a family of mixed ethnicity, as his father was of Irish, Scottish, and German origin and also had Jewish roots.

Max Baer Jr. has two siblings named James and Maude.

Education

Max Baer Jr attended Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento and was a talented athlete during his time there.

He even won the junior title at the Sacramento Open golf tournament twice and teamed up with Charlie Sifford to win the pro-am tournament at the 1968 Andy Williams – San Diego Open.

After high school, Baer joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Gunter Air Force Base in Alabama.

During his time there, he worked as a medical technician. Later, he pursued higher education and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Santa Clara University, where he also minored in philosophy.

Career

Max Baer, a renowned American actor, began his acting career on television with guest roles on various shows.

He made his debut in the entertainment industry with a performance in ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears‘ at the Blackpool Pavilion in England in 1949.

In 1960, Baer started his professional acting journey at Warner Bros, where he appeared in several episodes of popular shows such as “Maverick,” “Surfside 6,” “Cheyenne,” “Hawaiian Eye,” “77 Sunset Strip,” “Bronco,” and “Sugarfoot,” among others.

However, Baer is best known for his unforgettable portrayal of the dim-witted ‘Jethro Bodine‘ on the iconic television series ‘The Beverly Hillbillies.’

The comedy series, created by Paul Henning, featured Max Baer in 253 episodes from 1962 to 1971, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Apart from his television career, Baer also appeared in several movies, including ‘Love American Style,’ ‘Vacation Playhouse,’ and ‘Time for Killing.’

He even made his directorial debut with the movie ‘Macon County Line’ and later wrote, produced, and directed ‘The Wild McCullohs’ in 1975.

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In his later years, Max Baer ventured into the real-estate and casino industries, with a vision to build a ‘Beverly Hillbillies’ empire.

He aspires to create ‘Jethro’s Beverly Hills Mansion’ and casinos inspired by the legendary TV show.

Baer has reportedly signed a deal with the channel authorities to acquire the rights to use the names and other details of the show, making his dream a reality.

Net Worth

Max Baer Jr’s net worth is estimated to be a staggering $50 million in 2024, a testament to his success in the entertainment industry.

Wife

Max Baer Jr was married to Joanne Kathleen Hill on July 30, 1966, before their separation in 1971.

After tying the knot with Joanne Kathleen Hill, their marriage unfortunately ended in separation after five years in 1971.

The reason for their separation remains undisclosed, and the marriage ended with no children.

Apart from this, his other relationships also didn’t end well.

He was in a relationship with Victoria Principal, but it didn’t work out and years later, his girlfriend Chere Rhodes committed suicide at his home.

Children

Max has no children.

Is Max Baer jr still alive?

Yes, As of 2024, He is still alive.