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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Joby Baker say when he burnt his loaf? It was a crumby job.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joby Baker
Baker on Good Morning World in 1967
Born(1934-03-26)March 26, 1934
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DiedJune 22, 2026(2026-06-22) (aged 92)
Yonkers, New York, U.S.
OccupationsActor, painter
Years active1952–1984; 2024
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1959; div. 1961)​
Joyce H. Winter
​
​
(m. 1961; div. 1975)​
​
​
(m. 1984; died 2012)​
Megan Moore
​
(m. 2014)​
Children5

Joseph N. "Joby" Baker (March 26, 1934 – June 22, 2026) was a Canadian-born American actor and painter.[1] As an actor, he was best known for his lighthearted, low-key comedy roles, including the lead role in the short-lived sitcom Good Morning World.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Baker was born in Montreal, Quebec, on March 26, 1934.[2][3] He relocated to the then-territory of Hawaii with his father when his mother died shortly after he was born.[2] His sobriquet Joby is a shortening of "Jobela," the nickname his father bestowed upon him in childhood.[2] On December 7, 1941, during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the house he lived in was hit by friendly fire in the immediate aftermath.[2] Baker lived most of his childhood in Oahu, Hawaii then moved to New York City to attend school.[4] While in the U.S. Army, he entertained troops.[2]

Career

[edit]

An early role in Baker's career was in a 1958 episode of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, "Ronnie Makes A Record", where he was cast as a recording studio vocalist. In the early 1960s, he made guest appearances on many television series. In 1962, he appeared on Perry Mason as Kenneth Carter in "The Case of the Bogus Books". He appeared as a semi-regular in the first season of the WWII TV series Combat! as Pvt. Kelly.

Other television series appearances included The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Dr. Kildare and The Dick Van Dyke Show. In 1967, a year after The Dick Van Dyke Show ended, Baker was chosen by CBS to be Van Dyke's successor in what was originally pitched as The Joby Baker Show; Baker strongly objected to the title since he did not want his name attached to a show that could have been a career-defining flop.[2] The series eventually was named Good Morning World; it followed a similar premise to Van Dyke's show, except centered around a radio show instead of television.[5] Good Morning World ended after a single season in 1968. In 1960, he co-starred with Jack Lemmon and Ricky Nelson in The Wackiest Ship in the Army.[6] He appeared in the Elvis Presley movie Girl Happy (1965), When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965),[7] and in all three Gidget movies.[4][8]

In 1967, Baker was cast as a travelling magician, Dr. William Davis, in the episode "The Saga of Dr. Davis" on the syndicated series Death Valley Days, hosted by Robert Taylor.[9] Judi Meredith played his wife, Jenny, whose death leads him to take an adopted son, Tad, on his remaining westward journeys. Baker began a long association with Walt Disney Studios where he appeared in The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967),[10] Blackbeard's Ghost (1968),[11] and Superdad (1974).[12] This was followed by a succession of character roles, including an appearance in an episode of the 1973 situation comedy A Touch of Grace and a stint as "Colonel Marvin" on the 1980 sitcom The Six O'Clock Follies. Baker was in Avalanche (1978).[13]

Baker largely left acting after marrying Dory Previn in 1984; he felt that he did not have the temperament or personality to be a full-time actor.[2]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Baker first married Joan Blackman, whom he met in drama school in 1959 and divorced in 1961. He married Joyce Harriet Winter in 1961 and divorced in 1975.[2] In 1984, Baker married lyricist and songwriter Dory Previn.[14] He illustrated The Dory Previn Songbook,[15] published in 1995.

Baker, in 1984, stopped acting and established himself as a painter, sculptor and jewelry artisan. He and Previn moved to Southfield, Massachusetts. Baker was inspired by his wife, Previn. Previn died in 2012.[4] He married Megan Moore in 2014.[16]

Baker died at a hospital in Yonkers, New York, on June 22, 2026, at the age of 92, ten days after his co-star Ronnie Schell from Good Morning World died, at the age of 94.[2][3][4]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Director(s) Notes
1955 Target Zero Private Harmon Jones War film
Uncredited
1959 The Last Angry Man Myron Malkin Daniel Mann Drama film
Gidget Stinky Paul Wendkos Comedy film
1960 Key Witness Muggles Phil Karlson Neo-noir[17] crime film
The Wackiest Ship in the Army Josh Davidson Richard Murphy War comedy-drama film
1961 Gidget Goes Hawaiian Judge Hamilton Paul Wendkos Romantic comedy musical film
1962 Hootenanny Hoot Steve Laughlin Gene Nelson Musical film
1963 Gidget Goes to Rome Judge Paul Wendkos Romantic comedy film
1964 Looking for Love Cuz Rickover Don Weis Romantic musical-comedy film
1965 Girl Happy Wilbur Boris Sagal Romantic musical-comedy film
When the Boys Meet the Girls Sam Alvin Ganzer Musical film
1967 The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin Bandido Leader James Neilson Western comedy film
1968 Blackbeard's Ghost Silky Seymour Robert Stevenson Fantasy comedy film
1973 Self-Portrait Allan Maurice McEndree Drama film
Superdad Klutch Vincent McEveety Comedy film
1978 Avalanche TV Director Corey Allen Disaster film
2024 Dory Previn: On My Way to Where Self Dianna Dilworth
Julia Greenberg		 Documentary film

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1952 The Red Skelton Hour Junior 2 episodes
1957 Studio One Trial spectator Episode: "The Defender, part 1"
The West Point Story Cadet Monty Berrin Episode: "Dangerous Area"
Bachelor Father Boy at Stage Door Episode: "Uncle Bentley Keeps His Promise"
1957-59 Dragnet Guest star
Guest star
Bob Tepps		 Episodes:
  • "The Big Truck"
  • "The Big Boot"
  • "The Big Counterfeit"
1958 The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show Quartet Member Episode: "Ronnie Makes a Record"
The George Burns Show Self Episode: "George and the Private Eye"
1958-62 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Thor
Jimmy Dolan
Vernon		 Episodes:
  • "Six People, No Music"
  • "Madame Mystery"
  • "The Right Kind of Medicine"
1960 Surfside 6 Bernie Bergen Episode: "Power of Suggestion"
1961 The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet Joby Episode: "The Fraternity Rents Out a Room"
Cain's Hundred Larry Delby Episode: "King of the Mountain"
Dr. Kildare Jerry House Episode: "A Million Dollar Property"
The Roaring 20's Joby Price Episode: "Pinky Goes to College"
Wagon Train Nathan May Episode: "The Bettina May Story"
1961-62 Bachelor Father Biff Merideth Episodes:
  • "A Man Among Men"
  • "How Howard Won His 'C'"
1962 Frontier Circus George Washington Jukes Episode: "Mighty Like Rogues"
Gunsmoke Ky Episode: "Call Me Dodie"
Perry Mason Kenneth Carter Episode: "The Case of the Bogus Books"
Sam Benedict Nick Correa Episode: "Everybody's Playing Polo"
1962-63 Combat! Kelly Episodes:
  • "Lost Sheep, Lost Shepherd"
  • "The Celebrity"
  • "Survival"
1963 The Greatest Show on Earth Rick Andover Episode: "The Loser"
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Doc Carroll Episode: "The Cadaver"
1964 Ben Casey Harry Martin Episode: "The Evidence of Things Not Seen"
12 O'Clock High Lieutenant Blake Episode: "Golden Boy Had Nine Black Sheep" (Pilot)
1965 American Bandstand Self Episode: "Episode #8.27"
The Loner Billy Ford Episode: "The Oath"
1965-66 The Dick Van Dyke Show
  • Manuel Rodriguez
  • Fred Staggs
 Episodes:
  • "Viva Petrie"
  • "Love Thy Other Neighbor"
1966 F Troop Mario Maracucci Episode: "La Dolce Courage"
1967 Death Valley Days Dr. William Davis Episode: "The Saga of Dr. Davis"
Valley of Mystery Pete Patton Made-for-TV movie directed by Joseph Lejtes
1967-68 Good Morning World David Lewis Lead role
1968 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In Self Episode: "Sally Field, Terry-Thomas, Joby Baker, Godfrey Cambridge, Jerry Lewis, John Wayne"
1969 Mannix Rudy Marin Episode: "The Sound of Darkness"
1971 Love, American Style Ted Segment: "Love and the Vacation" (S 3:Ep 8)
1972 The Streets of San Francisco Jamie Lane Episode: "The First Day of Forever"
Assignment Vienna Russell Episode: "Queen's Gambit"
1973 A Touch of Grace Dickson Episode: "The Commercial"
Cry Rape Jerry Cohen Made-for-TV movie directed by Corey Allen
1974 Run, Joe, Run Missionary 2 Episode: "Missionary"
Barnaby Jones Joe Holland Episode: "Blueprint for a Caper"
1974-75 Police Story
  • Macon
  • Harold
 Episodes:
  • "The Hunters"
  • "The Man in the Shadows"
1975 Kate McShane Guest Episode: "Publish or Perish"
Medical Center Tony Tabor Episode: "The Silent Witness"
1976 Bronk Sgt. Ben Waite Episode: "The Deadlier Sex"
Gemini Man Josef Episode: "Suspect Your Local Police"
1977 The City Mel Greenwall Made-for-TV movie directed by Harvey Hart
Most Wanted Pete Kerman Episode: "The People Mover"
1977-82 Quincy, M.E. Various 4 episodes
1979 Stone Murray Weinstock 3 episodes
Sex and the Single Parent Millard Made-for-TV movie directed by Jackie Cooper
1980 Jimmy B. & André Judge Tom Lucci Made-for-TV movie directed by Guy Green
Nobody's Perfect Dixie Episode: "What's on Third?"
The Six O'Clock Follies Col. Harvey Mann 6 episodes
1981 Simon & Simon Parker Stans Episode: "Details at Eleven" (Pilot)
1982 McClain's Law Dr. Lester Episode: "The Last Hero"
1983 Tucker's Witch Mickey Daugherty Episode: "Rock Is a Hard Place"
1984 The Paper Chase Police Detective Episode: "Burden of Proof"

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Chartock, Alan (September 2, 2006). "Tales of chicken ... and fine art". The Berkshire Eagle. New England Newspapers, Inc. p. 6. ISSN 0895-8793. OCLC 28030241. Retrieved May 10, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Joby Baker, Star of 'Good Morning World,' Dies at 92". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. July 4, 2026. ISSN 0018-3660. OCLC 44653726. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Joby Baker Dies: Actor In 'Gidget' & Elvis Films, Disney Stalwart & 'Good Morning World' Co-Star With Ronnie Schell Was 92". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. July 4, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Speakman, Kimberlee (July 4, 2026). "Joby Baker, Gidget and Girl Happy Actor, Dies at 92". People. People Inc. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
  5. ↑ King, Susan (January 17, 2006). "Catch this quiet Southern charmer". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times Communications LLC. eISSN 2165-1736. OCLC 3638237. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  6. ↑ Crowther, Bosley (February 9, 1961). "'The Wackiest Ship in the Army' Arrives". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. p. 0. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved May 10, 2023. ProQuest 115403668
  7. ↑ "Screen: Gershwin Redone: 'When Boys Meet Girls' Is an Inept Musical". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. January 20, 1966. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  8. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (6 April 2025). "Not Quite Movie Stars: Michael Callan". FilmInk. FKP International Exports. ISSN 1447-0012. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  9. ↑ "Death Valley Days – Season 15 (1966–67)". The Classic TV Archive. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  10. ↑ Thompson, Howard (March 9, 1967). "'Bullwhip Griffin'". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. p. 43. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved May 10, 2023. ProQuest 118171935
  11. ↑ "Blackbeard's Ghost review". Variety. Varoety, Inc. (now Penske Media Corporation). December 31, 1967. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Broadway Theater". Southeast Missourian. Rust Communications. March 1, 1974. p. 17. ISSN 0746-4452. OCLC 10049209. Retrieved July 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Building up an 'Avalanche'". Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Times Company (now Los Angeles Times Communications LLC). August 30, 1978. p. 10 Part 4. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Retrieved March 26, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Holden, Stephen (December 18, 2014). "A Nod to the Path a Singer Paved, With Stories of Pain Laid Bare". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  15. ↑ Dory Previn Biography by William Ruhlmann at www.allmusic.com
  16. ↑ Collins, Rance (July 4, 2026). "Joby Baker, '60s and '70s staple who acted with Elvis Presley and Goldie Hawn, dies at 92". Entertainment Weekly. People Inc. eISSN 2169-3188. OCLC 21114137. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ Silver, Alain; Ward, Elizabeth; Ursini, James; Porfirio, Robert (2010). Film Noir: The Encyclopedia. New York City: Overlook Duckworth. p. 155. ISBN 978-1-59020-144-2.
[edit]
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