Max Baer Jr. portrayed Jethro Bodine, the nephew of Jed Clampett on the Beverly Hillbillies. He couldn’t find work for the first three years after Beverly Hillbillies finished its run on television in 1971.
He finally found himself an acting job by producing Macon County Line in 1974. The movie grossed over $18 million according to Box Office Mojo with a budget of $225,000.
However, the Internet Movie Database shows the movie earning $35 million with an initial investment of $100,000.
Max Baer Jr.'s father Max was the World Heavyweight champion from June, 1934 to June, 1935.
Max Baer, his father, was recently the subject of the movie Cinderella Man in which a ring opponent Frankie Campbell loses not only the match, but his life in a match with Baer.
Baer Jr. said his father cried over the death of Campbell and sent the kids of Campbell to college. The movie angered him and he was upset with Ronny Howard portraying his father that way in the movie.
It makes me wonder what other movies are not telling the truth about the characters in that movie.
This following articles tell about the movie with the second article directly referring to Baer being upset with Howard.
http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/cinderellaman.htm
Today Max Baer Jr. is a successful businessman, who is 73 and was last seen on television in a 1991 episode of Murder She Wrote.
Playing Jethro Bodine more or less ended his chance of ever being taken seriously as an actor.
loved Jethro and he is still sexy will always love the Hillbillies and i have a 12 vd collection from years ago 4 episodes on each tape still play them and LOVE them alll we still have the clampletts on tv stilll love you alll take care now ya hear
Brenda, Jethro was one of the main reasons Beverly HIllbillies was so popular.
Jr. was right to be angry at ERon GHoward. Max Baer, Sr. was a great boxer, and who loved people. He was not at all cruel or haughty.
they have started reruns of the beverly hillbillies. i watch them every night… jethro and granny made the show so popular in my eyes. enjoy watching the show
I watch this show at 7 A.M. with my 32 year old son. My son is a teacher and the show just gives us a good laugh to start our day. You are right Granny and Jethro really make the show…
Vikki, That is great that you and your son can enjoy a show, that ended 42 years ago. Beverly Hillbillies is one of those shows like Andy Griffith, that will be funny as long as it is on television.
II was the baby sitter for Max Jr, Jimmie and Maudie in 1945. I lived with the Baer family twice that year. Max Sr. and his wife Mary Ellen were very nice people, told me many stories , showed me pictures and memorable things. Many things had been destroyed in a fire some years before. Max Sr. took and autograph book for me and got autographs for me from Elizabeth Taylor to Clark Gable. I have many pleasant memories of knowing them.
Jean,
Thank you for sharing your experiences babysitting for the Baer children. Max Baer Jr. probably would have been in more movies, but once he was Jethro, guess he was typecast. The whole Baer family sounded like very nice people from your description. Thank you again for sharing.
I read somewhere that Max was going to open a casino in Vegas called the Beverlly Hillbilly’s Casino. What ever happened to that?
I did a Google search on Max Baer Jr’s attempt to open a casino and most of the stories I found were several years old. He even has a website about the casino, but it showed a drawing of the casino, so it is either in progress of being built or his plans have fell through.
My stepdad passed away July 5TH, 2012, his name was Jack Baer and his father’s name was Harrison Baer. He always told me that you were his cousin. Jack was born in Akron, OH, but his father was from PA. Is Jack your cousin? He often spoke of your Father. Just curious
Appreciate your time, thank-you.
Deb
Deb, I am sorry but I only wrote the article and don’t know Max Baer Jr. personally. Wish I could have helped. Hope you find out the answer to your question.
I remember two guys were talking about going to the
Clampetts. One of them said,” Oh no I am not going to the Clampetts. The last time I went there I ended up in the pool.” The Second guy said ” Oh Jethro>” the first guy said ” NO Granny” lol loved those people
Granny and Jethro were the ones that carried the show. All the others were there to set them up with the best lines.