Max Baer Jr., fondly remembered as Jethro Bodine from The Beverly Hillbillies, has had an interesting life after the iconic show ended. Today, Max is 84 years old, and his journey is worth revisiting.
The Beverly Hillbillies comedy series portrayed the sudden riches of the Clampett family, with Buddy Ebsen’s character, Jed Clampett, finding himself an instant millionaire and moving his family to Beverly Hills, California. Despite their newfound wealth, the Clampetts kept their rural lifestyle, much to the audience’s amusement.
Among the memorable characters was Jethro Bodine, played by Max Baer Jr. Jethro, the son of Jed’s cousin Pearl, was a wide-eyed and often bumbling character known for his humorous multiplication skills, like his famous line, “five gozinta five one time, five gozinta ten two times.”
The Beverly Hillbillies was an immediate success, becoming the fastest show to climb to the top spot in television history soon after its 1962 debut. It ran for 11 years, spanning nine seasons and 274 episodes before ending in 1971. During its run, the series received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination and four Emmy nominations in 1964.
Max Baer Jr. brought a unique touch to Jethro with his infectious grin and hearty laugh, which made viewers believe that Jethro was a real person. He perfected his southern accent by listening to Andy Griffith and Jonathan Winters’ recordings, always maintaining a genuinely comedic expression that endeared him to many.
Portraying Jethro made Max a household name in American comedy. However, life after the show presented its own set of challenges for him. This is the story of the actor behind the beloved character Jethro Bodine.
Max Baer Jr. was born on December 4, 1937, in Oakland, California, to boxing champion Max Baer and Mary Ellen Sullivan. His foray into acting came later, with a role in a 1949 theater production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears in England.
Reflecting on his career, Max once said, “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 and try to add your own touch to it. Ultimately, the audience decides whether they like what you did or not.”
Despite earning modestly from his role, never more than $800 per episode, Max was cherished by the American TV audience for making them laugh and creating memorable moments on screen.
Max’s ability to make viewers laugh—even at his own expense—brought joy to many. “You must perform well. If you can make people laugh, whether with you or at you, it’s a success,” said Baer Jr.
In 1993, a feature-length film adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies, featuring Dolly Parton, was released, but it didn’t achieve the same success as the original show. Donna Douglas, who played Elly May Clampett, praised Max’s ability to portray Jethro as endearingly naive yet likable.
Jeffrey D. Dalrymple, Max’s friend and TV historian, also commends his performance. According to Dalrymple, “Max fit in perfectly with the other cast members and was a genuinely good performer.”
Beyond acting, Max shared his father’s love for sports. He lettered in various sports in high school and even won the Sacramento Junior Open Golf Championship twice.
In 1968, Max, alongside professional golfer Charlie Sifford, won the pro-am division of the Andy Williams Golf Championship in San Diego. Despite his love for golf, acting remained Max’s second passion.
After The Beverly Hillbillies ended, Max faced the challenge of being typecast as Jethro. To diversify, he ventured into producing and directing films such as Ode to Billie Joe and Macon County Line, which surprisingly became one of the most profitable indie films of 1974.
Max eventually bought the Beverly Hillbillies trademark to develop related entertainment ventures, though some efforts were mired in legal disputes. In 2014, he sued CBS for a breach related to the show’s licensing rights.
In his personal life, Max was once married to Joanne Kathleen Hill and later had a notable relationship with model Chere Rhodes. Tragically, Chere passed away in 2008, leaving Max devastated.
Reflecting on his family’s unexpected career paths, Max once said, “We Baers never turned out the way we intended. My father wanted to be an actress but became a boxer, I wanted to be a lawyer but became an actor. My career has greatly benefited from The Beverly Hillbillies.”
Max Baer Jr. will always be remembered as the beloved Jethro Bodine who brought smiles to countless faces. His legacy continues to hold a special place in our hearts.
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