Joby Baker, 1934 – 2026

Adorable boy-next door actor Joby Baker, 92, died on June 22. “The Michael Callan of Dean Joneses,” Baker starred in the ‘6os sitcom Good Morning World (alongside Ronnie Schell, who also died recently); he also appeared in such light movie fare as Gidget (and several Gidget sequels), The Wackiest Ship in the Army, and Girl Happy. Born in Montreal, he also appeared on such TV shows as Perry Mason, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Dragnet, The Burns and Allen Show, F Troop, and Love American Style. Baker was married (from 1984 till her 2012 death) to songwriter Dory Previn (earlier, he had been married to actress Joan Blackman). In addition to acting, Baker was a well-known painter and sculptor—though he did not run the recording studio Baker Studios LTD, despite what many online sites say (that is another “Joby Baker”).