Max Baer Jr. – The Actor Behind Jethro Bodine
Max Baer Jr. is best remembered as Jethro Bodine, the lovable and dimwitted nephew of Jed Clampett, in the classic TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Born on December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, Baer Jr. had a unique path to becoming one of the most iconic television characters of the 1960s.
Baer Jr. grew up in Sacramento before moving to Santa Clara to study business management, graduating from Santa Clara University in 1959. However, his life would soon take an unexpected turn when he decided to ride his motorcycle to Los Angeles the following year. It was there, in a Warner Bros. parking lot, that Baer Jr. was mistaken for actor James Garner, which ultimately led to him pursuing an acting career.
Despite having no formal training or experience, Baer Jr. quickly signed a one-year contract and began appearing in minor roles on television shows such as “77 Sunset Strip,” “Maverick,” and “Hawaiian Eye.” His big break, however, came when he landed the role of Jethro Bodine in “The Beverly Hillbillies” after an open audition.
The Success of “The Beverly Hillbillies”
“The Beverly Hillbillies” followed the story of the Clampett family, who strike it rich with oil and move from their rural home in the Ozarks to the posh neighborhood of Beverly Hills, California. Jethro Bodine, the son of Jed’s cousin Pearl, quickly became a fan favorite with his lovable antics and excellent arithmetic skills.
The show was an instant hit, soaring to the top of the ratings within the first three weeks of its launch in 1962. According to IMDB, it was the fastest-rising show in television history. “The Beverly Hillbillies” went on to enjoy a remarkable 11-year run, with nine seasons and 274 episodes before being discontinued in 1971.
Baer Jr.’s portrayal of Jethro Bodine was a crucial part of the show’s success. He expertly captured the character’s southern drawl and perpetually idiotic expression, which made him a beloved figure among viewers. In 1964, “The Beverly Hillbillies” was even nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best TV Show Comedy and four Emmy nominations.
Baer Jr.’s Life After “The Beverly Hillbillies”
Despite the immense popularity of “The Beverly Hillbillies” and Baer Jr.’s success as Jethro Bodine, his life after the show did not go as planned. While he never made more than $800 per episode during the show’s run, Baer Jr. had a special place in the hearts of the audience.
In an interview with Medium, Baer Jr. reflected on the challenges of playing such a memorable character, stating, “It’s extremely difficult to be subjective or objective about yourself when you play a part like Jethro. You simply do the best you can with the material you’re given, and then you attempt to contribute to it [with your performance] as much as possible.”
Sadly, Baer Jr.’s subsequent acting career never quite reached the heights of his success as Jethro Bodine. He attempted to capitalize on his fame by writing, directing, and producing a film based on another “Beverly Hillbillies” character, but the project never came to fruition.
Tributes and Accolades
Despite the ups and downs of his career, Max Baer Jr. is still fondly remembered for his portrayal of Jethro Bodine. His co-star Donna Douglas, who played Elly May Clampett, praised his performance, saying, “Max was so perfect for the part of Jethro. He had that silly year-to-year grin and chuckle that just made everyone laugh.”
TV historian Tim Brooks echoed these sentiments, noting that Baer Jr. “really embodied the character” and was able to integrate seamlessly with the rest of the “Beverly Hillbillies” cast.
Baer Jr.’s Interests and Background
In addition to his acting career, Baer Jr. had a diverse range of interests and a fascinating background. He was the son of legendary boxer Max Baer, who was the heavyweight champion of the world in 1934. Baer Jr. himself was a talented athlete, playing football and basketball in college.
Despite the ups and downs of his career, Max Baer Jr. remains a beloved figure in television history, forever associated with the character of Jethro Bodine and the enduring legacy of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
