The role of Jethro Bodine and the Lampett family on the TV show “Beverly Hillbilly” created Max Baer Jr. He became known as an icon of American comedy. Many viewers remember the famous phrase “5 Gojinta 5 times, 5 Gojinta 12 times”.
This iconic sitcom premiered in 1962 and ran for nine seasons, following the sordid adventures of the Clampett clan as they moved from the countryside to Beverly Hills and stayed true to their hillbilly roots.
They created quite a stir by establishing a new presence among the wealthy elite in a silly but charming way. With its perfect blend of humor and down-to-earth charm, “Beverly Hillbilly” continues to captivate audiences today.
Max Bear Jr. was an accidental actor who became one of the most famous comic stars in America. His journey began in 1959 after earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Santa Clara University.
He decided to go on a motorcycle adventure and ended up in a parking lot in Los Angeles. His good qualities and personality caught the attention of a studio executive who thought he resembled James Garner and invited him to sign with the company.
Thus began Max’s acting career, which eventually immortalized him as Jethro Bodine, son of Jet and math-obsessed cousin Pearl, in the hit sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies. Max’s career took a turn for the worse when he auditioned for the role of Jethro Bodine.
His early roles included cameos in TV shows and movies such as 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, and Hawaiian Eye. Despite limited opportunities, Max persevered and gave his best to each role.
When asked about his experience playing Jethro Bodine, Max said he found it hard to be objective about himself. He welcomed the opportunity to show what he could do with the material he was given, leaving the audience to judge his performance.
Max Bear Jr. is loved and respected not only by his fans, but also by his peers. Although he only earns $800 per episode, his true desire to make people laugh has never been based on financial gain.
He had no problem entertaining his audience, whether they were laughing with him or at him. He was happy when the audience laughed at his performance. Donna Douglas, who played Ellie Mae Clampett in the sitcom, praised the importance of her character.
He praised her talent and kind personality and noted that she always got along well with everyone in the group. When “Beverly Hillbillies” ended, Max had a hard time finding work because everyone knew him as the Jethro character.
However, his persistence allowed him to focus on film production and directing, which led to the success of the 1974 film The Macon County Line. Substantial earnings from this film allowed him to invest in businesses that used many of the show’s industries, such as casinos, theme parks, restaurants, and cosmetics.
However, several legal disputes with CBS prevented him from fully realizing these dreams. Max married Joan Kathleen in 1996, but their marriage only lasted five years. But tragedy struck in 2008 when his girlfriend, 30-year-old Chere Rhodes, shot him in the chest. Since then, she has been involved in several romantic relationships.
Max has been a source of joy and amusement to us for many years and we are grateful for the many hours of laughter he has brought. From meaningful conversations to hilarious jokes, Max’s cheerful presence puts us in a good mood. We wish him all the best as he begins his new adventure in life.
