The Walking Tall films, which were influenced by the life of Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser, profoundly impacted the 1970s film industry and American pop culture.

Joe Don Baker died May 7 at 89. He played Sheriff Buford Pusser in 1973's 'Walking Tall,' toplined NBC's 'Eischied' and ...

Baker, a former Texas football player who served two years in the U.S. Army before making his television debut, died on May 7 ...

Joe Don Baker, the actor best known for playing Sheriff Buford Pusser in the 1973 movie 'Walking Tall,' dies at 89. His ...

Actor Joe Don Baker, best known for his role as Sheriff Buford Pusser in the unexpected 1973 box-office hit Walking Tall, ...

The Texan also was memorable in 'Junior Bonner' and 'Charley Varrick' and as two different characters — one good guy, one bad ...

He also starred in "Cape Fear,” “Charlie Varrick,” “Mitchell,” “Fletch,” “The Dukes of Hazard,” and three James Bond films — ...

Actor Joe Don Baker, who starred as a crusading Tennessee sheriff in the 1973 film “Walking Tall,” died on May 7, his family ...

But his biggest claim to fame was as the former professional wrestler turned lawman Buford Pusser in 1973's "Walking Tall." ...

But his biggest claim to fame was as the former professional wrestler turned lawman Buford Pusser in 1973's "Walking Tall." ...

WASHINGTON — Actor Joe Don Baker, who starred as the rugged Sheriff Buford Pusser in the box office hit "Walking Tall," has died at the age of 89, his family announced. In an obituary posted ...