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Joe Don Baker, tough-guy actor from Walking Tall and Bond films, dies aged 89

The prolific performer played varied roles – from arms dealer to baseball star – and made the rare switch from Bond villain to Bond good guy

Tough-guy actor Joe Don Baker, a prolific performer in movies as varied as GoldenEye, Cape Fear and Mud, as well as the BBC TV series Edge of Darkness, has died aged 89. He also appeared in numerous TV series, including the pilot episode of a western show called Lancer in 1968, the making of which was fictionalised by Quentin Tarantino in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton in Baker’s role. Photograph: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesBaker had more lead roles in the late 70s, but remained better known as a reliable supporting actor in the following decade, appearing in baseball drama The Natural (as “the Whammer”, modelled on Babe Ruth), Chevy Chase detective comedy Fletch and thriller Getting Even.

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