The son of former heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer, Max Baer Jr. is a classic (except probably to him) example of Hollywood typecasting. Known around the world as "Jethro Bodine" in the smash TV series The Beverly Hillbillies, Baer did not find work as an actor in Hollywood for three years after the Hillbillies went off the air. Baer finally had to put himself to work as an actor in his movie Macon County Line, which he also wrote and produced with a friend. Although it didn't let him escape his Jethro character, he did earn more than $35 million dollars in box office and (later) rental receipts. This after an initial investment of just over $100,000. Not bad for a boy with a "sixth grade education!"
Son of boxer Max Baer. Licensed the "Beverly Hillbillies" name and characters from CBS in order to establish a Casino called "Jethro's". A picture of Granny hangs over every bed with the caption: "Don't you touch her boy!" He tried to shed the public's "hillbilly" perception of him by starring as good-guy crime fighter Max Colepepper in the unsold pilot, "The Asphalt Cowboy," in the early 70s. Nephew of Buddy Baer. Uncle of Amy Lynn Baxter. Earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Santa Clara University (minored in philosophy). Auditioned for Jethro only after driving his roommate to the audition for the same part. Made a fortune producing low-budget films like "Macon County Line." Took great issue with the unsympathetic portrayal of his father in the film Cinderella Man, particularly his bragging over killing someone in the ring. Baer said his father was actually haunted by the incident and often cried about it. Writes with his left hand. One of Elvis Presley's Hollywood buddies during the 1960s. The two were often involved in impromptu football games among Elvis' friends and entourage.