The Beverly Hillbillies, a comedy program that told the story of the Clampett family, with Buddy Ebsen’s character Jed Clampett finding himself rapidly accumulating wealth. He then decided to relocate to Beverly Hills, California, after becoming a millionaire overnight. The main plot point? The family continued to live in a hillbilly manner.
One of the most beloved characters from the show was Jethro Bodine, played by Max Baer Jr. With his silly grin, infectious laugh, and a convincing portrayal of the country bumpkin, Max became a true American comedy legend. Listening to Andy Griffith and Jonathan Winters records to practice his rural accent, Max was able to bring Jethro to life in a way that made fans laugh.
But what became of Max Baer Jr. after the show? Born on December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, Max Baer Jr. seemed destined for greatness, with his father being the renowned boxer Max Baer. However, his path took a different turn, and he found himself pursuing a career in acting rather than boxing.
Max’s breakthrough came when he was cast as Jethro Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies after a public audition. His portrayal was so spot-on that he earned $1000 for the pilot episode and $500 for each subsequent show. Max reflected on his role, saying, “When you play a role like Jethro, it’s for other people to judge because it’s pretty hard to be subjective or objective about yourself.”
After the show ended, Max took a step back from the entertainment industry. He has been leading a quiet life in Tahoe for the past few years, and not much is known about his activities or his state of health. However, in a recent interview on the YouTube page for Las Vegas Real Estate, Max appeared in good physical and mental health.
Max Baer Jr., now 85 years old, was interviewed in his Tahoe home, and judging from the images, he is doing remarkably well. Although he has left the limelight, he will always hold a special place in our hearts as the actor who made us laugh in pretty much every single episode of The Beverly Hillbillies.
So, no matter what happened before or after the show, Max Baer Jr. will be remembered as a great actor who brought us joy. Let us share his story with friends and family and keep his legacy alive.
