Max Baer Jr. Mourned His Girlfriend – At 85, the ‘Last Man Standing’ from ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ Lives by the Lake
- Max Baer Jr. from “The Beverly Hillbillies” has led an interesting life.
- Before getting his big break in Hollywood, the star was struggling with unemployment and financial hardships. Following his successful career, his personal life started to suffer with the tragic death of his girlfriend in 2008.
- Now at 85 years old, he lives peacefully at his house by the lake, which he bought in 1975.
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 amongst fans.
Max Baer Jr. and Don Knight starring in “The Birdmen” in 1971 | Source: Getty Images
“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 could not stop laughing whenever he came onto their screens.
Although the sitcom gained incredible popularity at the time, Baer Jr. disclosed 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.”
Irene Ryan as Daisy Moses and Max Baer Jr. as Jethro Bodine in “The Beverly Hillbillies” in Los Angeles, 1963. | Source: Getty Images
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 recalled the relationships he shared with his cast mates. Speaking on the unfortunate passing of his co-star Donna Douglas in 2015, Baer Jr. said:
“I’m the last man standing. All the actors, producers – everybody on the show is gone.”
Nancy Kulp as Jane Hathaway, Max Baer Jr. as Jethro Bodine, Buddy Ebsen as Jed Clampett, and Donna Douglas as Elly May Clampett in “The Beverly Hillbillies” in Los Angeles, 1965. | Source: Getty Images
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.
Max Baer Jr. at a party in Los Angeles, 1962 | Source: Getty Images
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 deemed a suicide.
Today, Baer Jr. lives an entirely different life, living peacefully at his house in Northern Nevada, which boasts a stunning view of Lake Tahoe.
Max Baer Jr. at the California 500 Race in 1972. | Source: Getty Images
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 Jr. at the 2016 Chiller Theater Expo in New Jersey. | Source: Getty Images
Max Baer Has Seen Some Tough Times but Now Lives Peacefully at 85 Years Old
Baer Jr. may have been living the life once he scored a part in “The Beverly Hillbillies,” but it was not always smooth sailing 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.
Max Baer Jr. at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Auditorium in North Hollywood, 2003. | Source: Getty Images
Today, Baer Jr. lives an entirely different life, living peacefully 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.
The actor purchased his other house in The Pueblo, Las Vegas, in 1999. When asked about what drew him to purchase his Pueblo home, Baer Jr. spoke of the social and cultural hubs and, of course, his favorite structural addition of French doors:
“It was on the golf course; it had a swimming pool; it was close to the strip, [and] five minutes away from anything I wanted to go to. It had grocery stores and pharmacies real close by; it had a feeling of openness because I put in 27 French doors. I like French doors, not because they’re from France, [but] I just like the idea of the doors opening together and that the outside becomes inside.”
Max Baer Jr. at the 2nd Annual TV Land Awards in 2004. | Source: Getty Images
Baer Jr. continues to live a blessed life at 85 years old. After facing and overcoming an array of challenging moments in his life, he now lives comfortably and peacefully with two homes boasting sprawling space and fantastic architecture.
