He shot to fame as Jethro Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies, Today, he is the only surviving cast member of that great show, Take a deep breath before you see him aged 85
Max Baer Jr.: Life Beyond Jethro Bodine
For millions of viewers, Max Baer Jr. will always be Jethro Bodine, the lovable, dim-witted cousin from The Beverly Hillbillies. With his goofy grin, exaggerated country drawl, and lines like the unforgettable “five gozinta five one time,” Baer Jr. etched his place in television history. Yet while the Clampetts became household names in the 1960s, Baer’s life after the show proved far more complex. At 84, he is the last surviving member of the legendary cast, carrying both the pride and the weight of the role that defined his career.
The Rise of Jethro Bodine
When The Beverly Hillbillies premiered in 1962, it was an instant sensation. Within three weeks, it became the number-one show on American television, drawing audiences to the story of Jed Clampett, a poor mountaineer who struck oil and moved his family to the luxury of Beverly Hills—without losing their rural charm.
Jethro Bodine, the bumbling yet endearing cousin, quickly stole hearts. Baer’s exaggerated expressions, infectious laugh, and country-boy charm made him a standout across the series’ nine seasons and 274 episodes. He studied the accents of comedians like Andy Griffith and Jonathan Winters, combining careful mimicry with natural comedic timing, creating a portrayal so convincing that viewers often forgot it was acting. Yet, while the role brought fame, it also became a lifelong typecast.
A Chance Encounter in Hollywood
Born December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, Max Baer Jr. was the son of heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer and Mary Ellen Sullivan. Despite his famous lineage, he initially pursued a conventional path, earning a business administration degree from Santa Clara University in 1959.
His life changed by chance. Riding his motorcycle through Los Angeles, he stopped in a Warner Bros. parking lot, where an executive noticed his resemblance to actor James Garner. Without formal acting experience, Baer was offered a one-year contract. Guest roles followed on shows like 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, and Hawaiian Eye, but it wasn’t until an open audition for The Beverly Hillbillies that he found the role of a lifetime.
Life After the Clampetts
After the show ended in 1971, Hollywood struggled to see past Jethro Bodine. Baer appeared on series like Love, American Style, Fantasy Island, and Murder, She Wrote, but nothing matched his earlier fame.
Undeterred, he pivoted to filmmaking. In 1974, Baer produced and directed Macon County Line, a low-budget film made for $225,000 that grossed nearly $19 million domestically—one of the most profitable independent films of the decade. Its sequel, Return to Macon County, cemented Baer as more than just a TV actor.
Entrepreneurial Ambitions
In the 1990s, Baer purchased the rights to The Beverly Hillbillies, planning a casino and theme park inspired by the show. His vision included hotel rooms, animatronic characters, and themed slot machines. Legal disputes and zoning issues stalled the project for years. He later clashed with CBS in 2014 over a Des Moines barbecue chain using the name “Jethro’s BBQ,” illustrating how his iconic character continued to influence his life.
Personal Challenges
Baer married Joanne Kathleen Hill in 1966; they divorced in 1971. Later, he was involved with model Chere Rhodes until her tragic death by suicide in 2008, an event he described as one of the most traumatic moments of his life.
A Lasting Legacy
Despite the difficulties, Baer has expressed gratitude for the role that made him famous. “If I made people laugh, then I did my job,” he said. Co-star Donna Douglas, who played Elly May Clampett, praised his ability to make Jethro lovable despite his dim-witted persona, noting the cast’s close bond both on and off screen.
At 84, Baer remains a testament to perseverance. He successfully transitioned from acting to filmmaking and business, navigating both fame and personal tragedy. Though Jethro Bodine’s shadow has followed him for decades, Baer has repeatedly proven that reinvention is possible—and that life after an iconic role can still be full of achievement.
Max Baer Jr.’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and enduring charm—a reminder that even in Hollywood, it’s never too late to forge a new path.