Max Baer was born on February 11, 1909 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the son of Jacob Baer and Dora Bales Baer. Jacob worked at a slaughter house in South Omaha. The family moved to Colorado and later to California in 1922. The California move was to move away from the harsh winters which were difficult for the parents' health. Jacob eventually bought a cattle ranch near Livermore, California--which Max Baer considered to be his home town. Baer credited working as a butcher boy, carrying heavy carcasses and sledgehammering cattle with one blow for his powerful shoulders.
He became a professional boxer in 1929. He nearly left the profession the same year after fighting Frankie Campbell who died after a match. Baer was charged and acquitted with causing his death. Max Schmelling also died after a fight that some related to an earlier match with Baer. Max Baer, Jr. says that his father cried about the Campbell death and was really a kind person and saw boxing as mostly performance.
Baer became the world champion on June 14, 1934 beating out Primo Carnera. He held the title for 364 days when he was beat by Jimmy Braddock, aka the Cinderella Man. Baer's family disputes how Baer was portrayed in the 2005 movie, The Cinderella Man.
Baer was became an actor opposite Myrna Loy and Walter Huston in The Prizefighter and the Lady in 1933. He acted in about 20 movies.
Baer was married twice and also dated some well known actresses, including Jean Harlow, Mae West, and Greta Garbo. He had three children with his second wife. We best know his son, Max Jr. who starred as Jethro in The Beverly Hillbillies--a show I grew up with and still love.
Baer died in 1959 at the age of 50. His funeral was one of the largest in Sacramento. There are parks to honor him in Livermore and Sacramento.
In researching Baer to write this, I found a number of sites about him. I recommend maxbaer.org to learn more about him and his family.
Max we will think about you today.
Nebraska Nellie
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