Max Baer was a Professional Boxer of America and was also the World Heavyweight Champion from June 1934 to June 1935. Beside being Wrestler and Boxer, he was also an Actor who has worked in more than 20 movies. For his magnificent contribution and work he also earned the titles like Livermore Larruper and Madcap Maxie. In this article we have provided an in depth information about Max Baer’s age, life, career, marriage, achievements and more.
Max Baer Biography
Baer was born on February 11, 1909, in Omaha Nebraska to Jacob Baer and Dora Bales. Max was a professional boxer and Wrestler. Max belonged to Jew Community but was raised in Catholic Style, so there has been a lot of debates and confusions regarding his religion. Max’s full name is Maximillian Adelbert Baer.
| Full name | Maximilian Adelbert Baer |
| Names Earned | Livermore Larruper and Madcap Maxie |
| Date of Birth | 11 February, 1909 |
| Place of Birth | Omaha Nebraska |
| Profession | Wrestler, Boxer & Actor |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Nationality | American |
| Wife | Dorothy Dunbar (1931- 1933) Mary Ellen Sullivan (1935-1959) |
| Date of Death | 18 November, 1959 |
Max Baer Age 103: Is It True?
Max if was alive would be 116 years as of 2024. However, very Often, Max is confused with his son Max Baer Jr. who is an Actor, Producer, Screenwriter and Comedian and is currently 87 years old. While Max Baer is not the same person as the boxer and actor. He is actually Max Baer Jr., the son of the original Max Baer and the actor who played Jethro Bodine on the classic TV series The Beverly Hillbillies. However, If Max Baer would be alive, He would have crossed 103.
Max Physical Appearance and stats
Max was a Wrestler and therefore had a Bodybuilder Physique. Talking about his Physical Appearance, he had a very Attractive and Charming personality. He stood at a tall height of 6 feet 2 inch and Weighed Around 100 kgs.
| Height in feet | 6 feet and 2 inches |
| Height in meter | 1.88 meter |
| Height in centimeter | 188 centimeter |
| Weight Measurement | 100 kg |
| Appearance | Bodybuilder Physique |
Max Early life and family
Max belonged to a Middle class family. Max was born as Maximilian Adelbert Baer. His Father was an immigrant from Alsace-Lorraine and belonged to German Jewish Descent while his mother belonged to Scottish Catholic Descent. His Father was a Butcher who also did Animal Rearing, His mother was a homemaker.
He also had an older sister named Fanny Baer and a younger sister named Bernice Baer. Max also had two Younger brothers. His own Biological Brother was Jacob Henry Baer, better known as Buddy Baer who was also a Boxer and Actor. Max also had an Adopted Brother named Augie Bear.
Max’s family moved from Nebraska to Colorado before the birth of Bernice and Buddy. In 1921, when Maxie was twelve years old, his family relocated to Northern California, to indulge in cattle ranching. In 1926, Max and his family shifted to Livermore, California. He was often credited working as a butcher boy and carrying heavy carcasses of meat. Baer dropped out of school in the 8th standard to assist and help his parents on their cattle rearing, this labour of Baer is known to be the main reason for his strength and power.
Max Relationship, Marriage and Children
Max throughout his career and life was linked with many Actresses and Models. He also married Twice.
Max First Wife
On July 8th, 1931 he got married to Actress Dorothy Dunbar. However, his marriage with Dunbar could not last long and ended in three years due to personal reasons and they seeked divorce on October 3, 1933. Max did not have any children with his first Wife.
Max Second Wife
After his divorce with his first Wife, Max dated Actress Mary Ellen Sullivan, and later got married to her on June 29, 1935 till his death in 1959. Mary was a very Supportive Wife and helped Max in both his Professional as well as Personal life.
Max Children
Max with his marriage to Mary Ellen became father of Three Children. He was first blessed with a Boy named Max Baer Jr. who is a Famous Actor, Comedian, Director, Producer and Screenwriter in The American Entertainment Industry. Max Jr. was best known for playing the role of Jethro Bodine in the series The Beverly Hillbillies. In 1941, Max was blessed with another Boy named James Manny and a Daughter named Maudie Marian in 1944.
Max Professional Career
Baer started his professional career as a boxer and wrestler in 1929. He won 22 of his 24 fights with 9 knockouts. His achievements and power made him a permanent wrestler in the American boxing industry and a strong opponent. Max had played a total 81 matches in which he had 68 matches and lost 13 matches.
Max and Frankie Campbell
In 1930, a turning point came into Max’s Life when he was charged with the allegation of killing a well known Wrestler Frankie Campbell, who died as a result of knockout from Baer. However all the charges from him were removed, but he was banned from boxing in California for a year. This incident had a great impact on Baer’s life and he became so scared that he decided to quit Boxing for sometime.
Max and Ernie Schaaf
After returning back to the ring he was hesitant in attacking his opponents and frightened by the past incidents; however in 1932 Schaaf got unconscious in the 10th round of their match by Max’s Hit. However, Schaaf died a day after the match with max. Baer was held partially responsible for Ernie’s Death. This led Max to earn a Critical Title of the ‘Killer’.
Max and Max Schmeling
Max’s match with Schmeling is considered to be one of the greatest matches in Wrestling History. In this match held in June 1933 Max defeated Schmeling in front of 60,000 people at Yankee Stadium. During this match, Baer wore the Star of David on his shorts, as a token of pride for the Jewish people at a time when Nazi persecution of German Jews had just begun.
Max and Pimro Camera (World Heavyweight Champion)
In 1934, Baer received his title shot after knocking the famous and Ruling wrestler Champion Primo Carnera who weighed 267 pounds. Max knocked down Camera 11 times, the fight was stopped in the 11th-round and became the winner and received the title of World Heavyweight Champion. At this time Max was at the peak of his Career.
Max low Phase
In June 1935, in his first title defense, Max lost the title in a 15-round Match to James J. Braddock, which was a huge setback for Max and his fans. Max next fight was a loss to Joe Louis. During the fight, Max was Threatened by Louis to get Knocked out or else he would have been killed. He was knocked out by Louis in the fourth round.
Max Movies and Acting Career
Max along with his Boxing and Wrestling Career was also an Actor who has done many Films and appeared in Television Shows. Max made his Debut in the American Film In 1933 by the movie The Prizefighter and the Lady.
| Year Released | Movie name |
|---|---|
| 1933 | The Prizefighter and the Lady |
| 1935 | Kids on the Cuff |
| 1936 | Joe Louis vs. Jack Sharkey |
| 1937 | Over She Goes |
| 1942 | The Navy Comes Through |
| 1942 | The McGuerins from Brooklyn |
| 1943 | Ladie’s Day |
| 1943 | The McGuerins from Brooklyn |
| 1949 | Africa Screams |
| 1949 | Bride For Sale |
| 1950 | Riding High |
| 1951 | Skipalong Rosenbloom |
| 1955 | Rocky Marciano vs. Archie Moore |
| 1956 | The Harder they Fall |
| 1957 | Utah Blaine |
| 1958 | Once Upon a Horse |
Max Retirement & Death
Baer retired from boxing in 1941 with a career record of 72 wins, 52 knockouts, and 12 losses. Max Baer died on18 November, 1959 due to a Cardiac Arrest and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.
Baer’s funeral was held in Sacramento and was attended by more than 1,500 mourners. The Funeral was attended by Big Celebrities and Wrestlers and Boxers. Four former world boxing champions also appeared. The cemetery service was concluded by an American Legion honor guard recognizing Baer’s service in World War II. Baer’s death made it to the front page of The New York Times. Max was laid to rest in a garden crypt in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sacramento.
Max Legacy & Contribution
- In the Honor of Baer, there is a park named after him in Livermore, California. There is also a park named after him in Sacramento.
- He was an active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. When Max died due to heart attack in 1959, the Eagles Funded a charity as a tribute to Baer’s memory and as a means of combating the disease that killed him. The Max Baer Heart Fund is mainly to aid in heart research and education. Since the fund started in 1959, millions dollars have been donated to universities, medical centers and hospitals across the United States and Canada for heart research and education.
FAQ’s
Ans- He was a Professional Wrestler, Boxer and actor of America.
Ans- Max Baer Age 103 is the expected age of Max Baer that would have been possible if he was alive today. However, he is been often confused with his Son Max Baer Jr.
Ans- No Max Jr. is his son, who is still Alive.
Ans- Max died on 18 November, 1959.
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