Famous Nebraskans - Max Baer

Max Baer (2/11/1909 - 11/21/1959)

Have you seen Cinderella Man? It was a movie made in 2005 about boxer Jim Braddock of New jersey directed by my favorite director, Ron Howard. I had seen the movie at least five times (I have no life outside of work), but never really paid attention to his final opponent, Max Baer. I follow boxing and dabbled in local circuits in younger days. The name "Max Baer" sounded familiar.... So I looked it up!

Maximilian Adelbert "Madcap Maxie" Baer was born February 11, 1909 in Omaha, Nebraska. Max was an American Hall of Fame boxer of the 1930s, one-time Heavyweight Champion of the World, Hollywood actor, entertainer, professional wrestler and referee. His son, Max Baer, Jr. played Jethro in the popular 1960's sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies.

On Wednesday, November 20th, 1959, Max Baer refereed a boxing match in Phoenix. The next day, as he was shaving at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood (I've stayed there.... It's awesome), Max experienced chest pains. His pains went away, but moments later a second heart attack claimed his life. His last words were, "Oh God, here I go."

In 84 professional fights from 1929 to 1941 his record was 72-12-0 (53 by KO). In Ring Magazine's 100 Greatest Punchers, Baer is ranked number 22nd.

Something else that you may find intersting: Omaha native, Montgomery Clift, who lived at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood for three months, is said to haunt room 805. Hotel guest and staff claim to hear him playing his bugle and see him walking the hallways of his old floor.