Biography

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 (1962), 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 (1974), 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!"

Director

Hometown U.S.A.(1979)

Ode to Billy Joe(1976)

The Wild McCullochs(1975)

Writer

The Wild McCullochs(1975)

Macon County Line(1974)

Actor

Donna's Best Scenes(2025)as Archival footage

Murder, She Wrote(1984)as Johnny Wheeler, St. Trooper Boone Willoughby

Matt Houston(1982)as Andy MacKay, Andy McKay

The Circle Family(1982)as Hearst Circle

The Asphalt Cowboy(1980)as Max Caulpepper

Producer

Ode to Billy Joe(1976)

The Wild McCullochs(1975)

Macon County Line(1974)

Two for the Money(1972)

Thanks

Baer(2011)

UHF(1989)

Self

Jay Sebring.... Cutting to the Truth(2020)as Self

20/20(1978)as Self

Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast(2014)as Self - Guest

TV Land Moguls(2004)as Self

TV Land's Top Ten(2004)as Self

Archive Footage

Irene's Best Scenes(2026)as Self - Jethro, Jethrene Bodine

Max - His Best Scenes(2025)as Jethro Bodine

Buddy's Best Scenes(2025)as Jethro, Jethrene Bodine

When We Went MAD!(2025)as Self

History of the Sitcom(2021)as Jethre Bodine

Known for

The Beverly Hillbillies1962 · Actor Macon County Line1974 · Actor The Wild McCullochs1975 · Actor Ode to Billy Joe1976 · Producer

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Photos 113

Max Baer Jr. in Macon County Line (1974)

Max Baer Jr. and Leif Garrett in Macon County Line (1974)

Jesse Vint, Max Baer Jr., Alan Vint, and Cheryl Waters in Macon County Line (1974)

Buddy Ebsen, Max Baer Jr., Donna Douglas, Michel Petit, Hayden Rorke, Irene Ryan, and Charlie in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)

Max Baer Jr. and Irene Ryan in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)

John Ashley, Max Baer Jr., and Donna Douglas in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)

Credit Score: Max Baer Jr.

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1959196019611962196319641965196619671968196919701971197219731974197519761977197819791980198119821983198419851986

The Beverly Hillbillies

Jethro Bodine

Wed Sep 26 1962 – Tue Mar 23 1971

#	Name	Score	Year	Known	★	Noms	Votes
1	The Beverly Hillbillies	7.31	1962	•	7.3	7	12333
2	It's a Man's World	5.00	1962	•	7.9	0	149
3	77 Sunset Strip	5.00	1958	•	7.7	2	1814
4	Hawaiian Eye	5.00	1959	•	7.6	0	780
5	Macon County Line	3.25	1975	•	6.5	0	1936
6	The Wild McCullochs	2.60	1975	•	4.8	0	124
7	Matt Houston	2.50	1982	•	6.5	1	1647