Honestly, if you ask someone about the actors in Walking Tall, they usually picture one of two very different men. They either see Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson shirtless and swinging a piece of cedar in 2004, or they remember the gritty, sweaty intensity of Joe Don Baker in the 1973 original. It’s funny how a single story—based on the real-life legend of Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser—has shifted so much through different faces.
The truth is, this franchise is a weird patchwork of Hollywood eras. You’ve got a massive 70s blockbuster, a string of sequels with a different lead, a high-octane remake, and then some direct-to-video movies that most people totally forget exist.
The Man Who Started It All: Joe Don Baker
When the first movie hit theaters in '73, Joe Don Baker wasn't just playing a role; he basically became the blueprint for the "fed-up common man" hero. He played Buford Pusser, the ex-wrestler who comes home to McNairy County, Tennessee, only to find it crawling with gambling, moonshine, and corruption.
Baker’s performance was raw. He wasn’t a polished action star. He looked like a guy who actually lived in a small town. Interestingly, Joe Don Baker passed away recently, in May 2025, at the age of 89. Looking back at his career, Walking Tall was clearly his massive breakthrough.
The supporting cast in that original film was just as grounded:
- Elizabeth Hartman played Pauline Pusser, Buford’s wife. Her performance added a lot of the heart that made the ending so gut-wrenching.
- Gene Evans showed up as Sheriff Al Thurman.
- Noah Beery Jr. played Carl Pusser, Buford's father. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he was a legendary character actor who popped up in everything from The Rockford Files to classic Westerns.
- Leif Garrett and Dawn Lyn played the Pusser kids, Mike and Dwana. Believe it or not, they were real-life siblings.
The 2004 Remake: The Rock Takes Over
Fast forward thirty years. The 2004 version of Walking Tall changed the setting to Washington state and swapped the name Buford Pusser for Chris Vaughn. This was right when Dwayne Johnson was transitioning from "The Rock" to a legitimate movie star.
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He brought a completely different energy—more "modern action hero," less "rugged 70s grit." But let’s be real, the chemistry between the lead actors in this one is what people actually remember.
Johnny Knoxville played Ray Templeton, Chris’s best friend and deputy. This was a big swing for Knoxville. Most people only knew him from Jackass, but he actually pulled off the "loyal, slightly crazy sidekick" role perfectly. He wasn’t just comic relief; he felt like a guy you’d actually want in a bar fight with you.
The villain side was stacked too. Neal McDonough played Jay Hamilton. McDonough is the king of playing guys you love to hate—icy blue eyes, perfectly calm, and totally sociopathic. He’s the perfect foil for Johnson’s physical presence.
And then you have Kevin Durand as Booth, one of the primary henchmen. You’ve seen Durand in a million things since then, usually playing a heavy, and he’s always great at it.
The Forgotten Middle Child: Bo Svenson
Here is what most people get wrong about the actors in Walking Tall: they think Joe Don Baker played Pusser in all the 70s movies. He didn't.
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Baker actually turned down the sequels. He didn't want to be typecast, which is ironic considering how much he’s associated with the role now. So, for Walking Tall Part 2 (1975) and Walking Tall: Final Chapter (1977), a Swedish-American actor named Bo Svenson stepped into the boots.
Svenson was a giant of a man—6'5"—and he looked a lot more like the actual Buford Pusser than Joe Don Baker did. Funnily enough, the real Buford Pusser was actually supposed to play himself in the sequel, but he died in a car accident before filming started.
Svenson carried the torch for two films and a short-lived TV series in 1981. He brought a slightly more "official" lawman vibe to the role, whereas Baker felt more like a vigilante who happened to have a badge.
The Kevin Sorbo Era
Just when you thought the franchise was done, it went the direct-to-video route in 2007. This time, Kevin Sorbo took the lead as Nick Prescott.
These movies—Walking Tall: The Payback and Walking Tall: Lone Justice—are technically sequels to the 2004 remake, but they’re set in Texas and feature a completely new cast.
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- Kevin Sorbo as Nick Prescott.
- Yvette Nipar as Agent Kate Jensen.
- A.J. Buckley as Harvey Morris.
Buckley is a standout here. You might know him from CSI: NY or SEAL Team, but in The Payback, he plays a genuinely greasy villain. It’s a far cry from the big-budget spectacle of the Johnson version, but for fans of "justice-porn" action movies, Sorbo fits the mold of the stoic hero pretty well.
Why the Casting Matters
The reason people still search for the actors in Walking Tall is that the role of the Sheriff requires a very specific kind of screen presence. You can't just be "strong." You have to look like you've been tired for ten years.
In the 1973 version, you see the physical toll the job takes on Joe Don Baker. He’s covered in bandages for half the movie. By the time the 2004 version rolled around, the industry had moved toward the "invincible hero" trope. Dwayne Johnson gets hurt, sure, but he still looks like a Greek god while it’s happening.
The contrast between these actors tells the story of how our idea of a "hero" has changed. We went from the bruised, regular guy (Baker) to the towering, larger-than-life athlete (Johnson).
Quick Reference: Who Played Whom?
| Movie | Lead Actor | Primary Antagonist |
|---|---|---|
| Walking Tall (1973) | Joe Don Baker | Various (The State Line Gang) |
| Walking Tall Part 2 (1975) | Bo Svenson | Luke Askew |
| Walking Tall: Final Chapter (1977) | Bo Svenson | Morgan Woodward |
| Walking Tall (2004) | Dwayne Johnson | Neal McDonough |
| Walking Tall: The Payback (2007) | Kevin Sorbo | A.J. Buckley |
What You Should Watch Next
If you’re a fan of these actors and want to see more of their best work, you have to go beyond the big stick.
For a real look at Joe Don Baker’s range, check out Charley Varrick (1973). He plays a hitman, and it is chilling. If you liked the 2004 remake, you’ve probably seen most of The Rock’s stuff, but Faster (2010) has a similar "man on a mission" vibe that feels a bit more grounded than his Fast & Furious roles.
Your Action Plan for a Walking Tall Marathon:
- Start with the 1973 original. It’s the most "important" one and carries the most emotional weight.
- Watch the 2004 remake for the fun factor. It’s short, fast-paced, and Johnny Knoxville is surprisingly great.
- Skip the TV pilot unless you’re a completionist; it hasn't aged nearly as well as the films.
- Look up the real Buford Pusser. Knowing the actual history of the man makes the performances of Baker and Svenson much more interesting. The real Pusser was a complicated, controversial figure, and seeing how the different actors handle that legacy is the best part of being a fan of this series.