‘Gidget' Star Dead of Natural Causes at 92

Joby Baker was a Canadian actor and painter who appeared in all three Gidgetmovies, including Gidget, Gidget Goes Hawaiian, and Gidget Goes to Rome. He also appeared on Good Morning World,Perry Mason, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and Girl Happy, starring Elvis Presley. Baker's last acting credit was in an episode of the television adaptation of The Paper Chase, which was released in 1984.

According to Deadline, the outlet that broke the news of the June 22 death, Baker was also a prolific painter. "Born Joseph N. Baker on March 26, 1934, in Montreal, Baker pursued acting at a young age before moving to Hollywood," the outlet reported. "Alongside his acting career, Baker had, by the 1970s, established himself as a painter and sculptor with exhibitions in prominent galleries in Los Angeles, New York, and New England. His art explored memory, vulnerability, and the emotional landscape of the human experience, and drew praise from critics and fellow artists. His work would find its way into prominent private collections across the country."

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During an interview with The Berkshire Edge in 2014, Baker spoke about his love of painting. "I started out with a group calling themselves the Nueva Presencia (‘new presence'), founded by artists Arnold Belkin and Francisco Icaza in the early 1960s," the artist explained. "From there, I was accepted into the Bay Area Figurative painters circle, working primarily with the talented Nathan Oliveria."

During the interview, he also revealed that he made jewelry, then showed the interviewer one of his pieces. It was a ring with a stone inlaid in silver. He also spoke highly of his wife, saying, "You can't write an article about me without reading about Dory first."

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Baker married Dory Previn in the 1980s. Previn was an Emmy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and poet who was nominated for several Academy Awards. Previn died in 2012 of natural causes at the age of 86.

Baker is survived by his daughters, Fredricka Baker and Michelle Wayland, as well as Scott Zimmerman, his six grandchildren, and his great-granddaughter.

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This story was originally published July 4, 2026 at 7:48 AM.