Max Baer Jr. became an American comedic acting icon as soon as the world saw him star on the popular 60s comedy sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies.” In fact, scoring a role on the show earned Baer Jr. his first big break. He played the goofy, less-than-smart country character of Jethro Bodine, the son of Pearl Bodine and the nephew of Jed Clampett.
One of his most famous comedic moments on the show was when he showcased his unique mathematics skills when multiplying, which resulted in a funny catchphrase that caught on among fans.
“The Beverly Hillbillies” became an instant hit when it aired in 1962. Baer Jr.’s portrayal of the often-seen ear-to-ear grinning character of Jethro became a fan favorite among viewers of the show, who couldn’t stop laughing whenever he came onto their screens.
Although the sitcom gained incredible popularity at the time, Baer Jr. reveals his confusion as to how and why the show was high in demand:
“Who knows why the show is No. 1? The critics have been against it, [and] nobody likes it, but the people… [However], I give all the credit to Paul Henning, who writes the scripts and has done the producing.”
Ironically enough, though Baer Jr. went on to feature in, direct, and produce additional productions outside of “The Beverly Hillbillies,” fans worldwide had already come to only associate him with the character of Jethro for the remainder of his acting career.
Despite his inability to understand why the sitcom came with such an incredible following, Baer Jr. has never been a stranger to the limelight, coming from a family where his father, Max Baer, was a famous boxer who also went on to star in movies.
While looking back on his fantastic run as an actor in “The Beverly Hillbillies,” Baer Jr. fondly recall the relationships he shared with his cast mates. Speaking about the unfortunate passing of his co-star Donna Douglas in 2015, Baer Jr. said:
“I’m the last man standing. All the actors, producers – everyone on the show is gone.”
How Max Baer Jr.’s Love Life Looked After “The Beverly Hillbillies”
Baer Jr.’s personal life has seen a series of romantic relationships following his first and only marriage. In 1966, Baer Jr. tied the knot with singer, actress, and dancer Joanne Kathleen.
However, the couple’s relationship ended in divorce in 1971. After his divorce, the “A Time for Killing” star was back in the dating pool. Victoria Principal and the late Sharon Tate were two women he dated previously.
After dating around, Baer Jr. met Californian model Chere Rhodes when he was 70, and she was 30. The two became an item and dated for some time until tragedy ensued.
January 2008 was a devastating year for Baer Jr. because Rhodes suffered a gunfire blow to the chest while she was in Carson City, Nevada. After the police conducted an investigation, her death was considered a suicide.
Today, Baer Jr. lives an entirely different life, living completely at his house in Northern Nevada, which boasts a stunning view of Lake Tahoe.
According to the records of the investigation, as reported by TMZ, Rhodes’ wound was self-inflicted. After discovering Rhodes unconscious in one of the bedrooms where they had been staying, Baer Jr. called 911 at 1:15 p.m. on a Thursday. Apparently, there was a point in time when Rhodes gained consciousness and informed the authorities that she attempted to kill herself.
Her claim was confirmed further after the police discovered a handwritten suicide note at the location of the incident. She was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno and was placed on life-support. However, due to her critical condition failing to improve, as per request from her family, Rhodes was taken off life-support and passed away the following Sunday.
Max Baer Has Seen Some Tough Times but Now Lives Peacefully at 85 Years Old
Baer Jr. may have lived the life once he scored a part in “The Beverly Hillbillies,” but it was not always sailing smoothly for the actor. Before the sitcom, Baer Jr. was, quite literally, a starving artist: he was unemployed, broke, and hungry.
Having to live hand to mouth, he admitted in an interview with The Record, that it came to a point when he only had one quart of milk left, and he had to stretch it over four days. He also said he had been months behind on rent, went through weight loss issues due to stress, and developed extremely low morale. He had no car, no clothes, and even had to resort to selling the little that he did have in order to survive.
Today, Baer Jr. lives an entirely different life, living completely at his house in Northern Nevada, which boasts a stunning view of Lake Tahoe. A couple of months ago, Baer Jr. sat down with Las Vegas Real Estate at his lake home to discuss his other property in Las Vegas. The house where the interview was conducted has been in Baer Jr.’s ownership since 1975.
