‘James Bond' star Joe Don Baker breathes his last at 89

Joe Don Baker passed away at the age of 89.

A statement issued by his family members, confirming his demise, read, "His intellectual curiosity made him a voracious reader, inspiring a great love of nature and animals, particularly cats.”

"Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him,” they added.

The statement continued, "As we say goodbye to Joe Don, we hold onto the memories and the love he shared with us.

"Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will always remain, a guiding light in the lives he touched. Rest in peace, Joe Don. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten,” it read in conclusion.

Baker was renowned for his role in the three 007 films, appearing alongside Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan in the hit movies.

His first appearance in the James Bond franchise was in the 1987 film, The Living Daylights, where he played the role of a rather insane arms dealer antagonist, Brad Whitaker.

He then returned to the spy series in 1995’s GoldenEye as the CIA agent, Jack Wade, a role he reprised for 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies.

Before he enjoyed mainstream spotlight, Baker’s breakthrough role was as Sheriff Buford Presser in the famous 1973 vigilante action movie, Walking Tall.

Joe Don Baker never had any children but was married to Maria Dolores Rivero-Torres from 1969 to 1980.