x

Login

Remember me
Forget password ?

Or via social

x

sign up

person_profile-Max Wagner

Max Wagner Died at age: 73

Actor | Producer

Fullname:

Max Wagner

Date of Birth:

Nov 28, 1901

Country of birth:

Mexico

Died:

Nov 16, 1975

Biography of

Max Wagner

    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Max Wagner (November 28, 1901 – November 16, 1975) was a Mexican-born American film actor who specialized in playing small parts such as thugs, gangsters, sailors, henchmen, bodyguards, cab drivers and moving men, appearing more than 400 films in his career, most without receiving screen credit. Newspaper gossip columnists noted his rise from playing "Gangster #4", with no lines, and not carrying a gun, to "Gangster #2", with both lines and a gun.

    Wagner was one of five children, all boys, of William Wallace Wagner, a railroad conductor, and Edith Wagner, a writer who provided dispatches for the Christian Science Monitor during the Mexican Revolution. When he was 10 years old, his father was killed by rebels and the family moved to Salinas, California, where he met John Steinbeck, who became a lifelong friend. Steinback based the character of the boy in his novel The Red Pony on Wagner.

    Under the name "Max Baron", Wagner acted in many Spanish-language versions of English-language films, which studios made as a matter of course in the early days of sound films, He also served as a Spanish language coach for other actors, and appeared in many of the "Mexican Spitfire" films starring Lupe Vélez, where he also served to monitor Velez's Spanish ad-libs for profanity.

    Other series that Wagner appeared in include the Charlie Chan films, and Tom Mix serials, as well as others made by Mascot Pictures Corporation. In the 1940s, Wagner was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in six films written and directed by Sturges, beginning with The Palm Beach Story

    In 1940 during the filming of "The Mad Doctor", Wagner was credited for driving 50,000 miles as an on-screen taxi driver on the studio back lots of Hollywood. Since his appearance as a cab driver in Charlie Chan in Shanghai (1935), producers often cast him as a wise-cracking or henchman taxi driver. "I was cast as a taxi driver about five years ago", Wagner told a reporter. "And I was typed."

    In 1952, Wagner began to appear on television, in episodes of such shows as The Cisco Kid, Zane Grey Theater and Perry Mason, playing much the same kind of parts he played in the movies.

    He was a regular cast member on the western television series Gunsmoke, making nearly 80 appearances between 1959 and 1973. He also appeared in many episodes of The Rifleman, Bonanza, Cimarron Strip, The Wild Wild West and Maverick, including a guest-starring role in the 1959 Rifleman episode "Blood Brother." He also had roles in the original Star Trek and The Twilight Zone series. He appeared in more than 200 television episodes between 1952 and 1974.

    Notable film roles for Wagner include a supporting role in the cult science fiction classic Invaders from Mars (1953), an actor playing a gangster in the film-within-a-film segment of Bullets or Ballots (1936), and the bull farm attendant in the Laurel and Hardy comedy The Bullfighters (1945).

    Late in his career, he appeared in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). He also occasionally composed music, such as the Mexican folk ballad "Pedro, Rudarte y Simon" in the Western film The Last Trail (1933).

    Wagner died of a heart attack in Hollywood in 1975.

Filmography of

Max Wagner

Found 174 Movies in total

Young Frankenstein

Villager ( Actor )

... 1974

Terror in the Wax Museum

Music Hall Drunk (Uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1973

Evil Roy Slade

Townsman (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1972

Support Your Local Gunfighter

Townsman Watching Fight (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1971

The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again

Barfly (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1970

True Grit

Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1969

The Legend of Lylah Clare

Reporter (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1968

Rosemary's Baby

Man in Dream ( Actor )

... 1968

Hang 'em High

Prisoner ( Actor )

... 1968

Return of the Gunfighter

Barfly (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1967

A Big Hand for the Little Lady

Cashier (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1966

... 1966

The Great Race

Barfly ( Actor )

... 1965

Shenandoah

Church Member ( Actor )

... 1965

4 for Texas

Blackjack Dealer ( Actor )

... 1963

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Spectator (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1963

To Kill a Mockingbird

Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1962

... 1962

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Townsman (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1962

Sunrise at Campobello

Convention Delegate (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1960

Ice Palace

Party Guest (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1960

Public Pigeon No. 1

Police Detective (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1957

The Spirit of St. Louis

Reporter (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1957

Robbery Under Arms

Sergeant Goring ( Actor )

... 1957

I Died a Thousand Times

Deputy Charlie (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1955

Illegal

Bartender (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1955

East of Eden

Workman (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1955

The Great Diamond Robbery

Policeman (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1954

Donovan's Brain

Station Agent (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1953

Invaders from Mars

Army Sgt. Rinaldi ( Actor )

... 1953

... 1952

The Racket

Durko (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1951

The Secret of Convict Lake

Jack Purcell (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1951

Pier 23

Bar Patron (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1951

Frenchie

Drunk (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1950

Reign of Terror

Citizen (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1949

It Happens Every Spring

Umpire (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1949

The Red Pony

Bartender ( Actor )

... 1949

Caught

Projectionist (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1949

Flaxy Martin

Charles McMahon ( Actor )

... 1949

Shed No Tears

Second Investigating Detective (Uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1948

The Sainted Sisters

Townsman (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1948

The Miracle of the Bells

Baggage Man ( Actor )

... 1948

Half Past Midnight

Mike ( Actor )

... 1948

Tycoon

Actor

... 1947

That Brennan Girl

Moving Man (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1946

It's a Wonderful Life

Cashier / Nick's Assistant Bouncer (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1946

Dick Tracy vs. Cueball

Bartender (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1946

The Truth About Murder

Henchman Mike (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1946

The Lost Weekend

Mike (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1945

Fallen Angel

Bartender (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1945

Radio Stars on Parade

George ( Actor )

... 1945

Circumstantial Evidence

Truck Driver ( Actor )

... 1945

A Medal for Benny

Jake (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1945

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek

Military Police Driver (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1944

Boss of Boomtown

Sergeant George Dunne ( Actor )

... 1944

... 1943

A Night to Remember

Policeman Temple ( Actor )

... 1942

Panama Hattie

Jailer (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1942

Overland to Deadwood

Buck ( Actor )

... 1942

Mexican Spitfire's Elephant

Villa Luigi Headwaiter ( Actor )

... 1942

The Palm Beach Story

Tom's Best Man (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1942

Sabotage Squad

Recruiting Sergeant ( Actor )

... 1942

The Talk of the Town

Moving Man (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1942

The Spoilers

Deputy (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1942

Come on Danger

Tough Guy ( Actor )

... 1942

Moontide

Fisherman ( Actor )

... 1942

The Wife Takes a Flyer

Sergeant ( Actor )

... 1942

Obliging Young Lady

Jack - Diner Counterman (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1942

The Mexican Spitfire's Baby

Bartender ( Actor )

... 1941

Texas

Fats Delaney ( Actor )

... 1941

Cyclone on Horseback

Jamison ( Actor )

... 1941

Ride on Vaquero

Partner ( Actor )

... 1941

The Mad Doctor

Cab Driver (Uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1940

... 1940

The Bank Dick

Shirtless Ditchdigger (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1940

Hired Wife

Streetcar Conductor ( Actor )

... 1940

Men Against the Sky

Max - Radioman ( Actor )

... 1940

Rhythm on the River

Cherry's Cabbie ( Actor )

... 1940

Wildcat Bus

Bus Driver Jackson (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1940

Lucky Partners

Waiter ( Actor )

... 1940

They Drive by Night

Sweeney, Driver (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1940

Pop Always Pays

Bill - Policeman in Car 43 ( Actor )

... 1940

The Ghost Breakers

Ship Porter (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1940

Buck Benny Rides Again

Cowboy ( Actor )

... 1940

You Can't Fool Your Wife

Burglar ( Actor )

... 1940

The Grapes of Wrath

Guard (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1940

Millionaire Playboy

Highway Patrol Officer ( Actor )

... 1940

Charlie Chan in Panama

Soldier ( Actor )

... 1940

... 1940

Mexican Spitfire

Headwaiter - Mexican Pete's ( Actor )

... 1940

The Man Who Wouldn't Talk

Truck Driver ( Actor )

... 1940

Reno

Police Lt. Joe Wilson ( Actor )

... 1939

The Roaring Twenties

Gangster (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1939

5th Ave Girl

Policeman (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1939

The Day the Bookies Wept

Bet Placing Taxi Driver (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1939

Our Leading Citizen

Workman ( Actor )

... 1939

... 1939

The Girl from Mexico

Headwaiter ( Actor )

... 1939

The Return of the Cisco Kid

Brings in Rustler ( Actor )

... 1939

Mr. Moto in Danger Island

Sailor at Wrestling Match ( Actor )

... 1939

I'll Tell the World

Salesman ( Actor )

... 1939

Cafe Society

Guest ( Actor )

... 1939

Fast and Loose

Nolan's Henchman ( Actor )

... 1939

Wings of the Navy

Boss Mechanic ( Actor )

... 1939

Off the Record

Visitor (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1939

Scouts to the Rescue

Joe - Truck Driver-Henchman ( Actor )

... 1939

... 1938

Tarnished Angel

Tough Casino Decoy ( Actor )

... 1938

... 1938

Painted Desert

Henchman Kincaid ( Actor )

... 1938

Professor Beware

Chinatown Barker ( Actor )

... 1938

Cocoanut Grove

Brakeman ( Actor )

... 1938

Maid's Night Out

Sam Johnson - Milk Man (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1938

... 1938

Born to Be Wild

Jake - Trucker in Cafe (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1938

Alcatraz Island

Party Guest (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1937

Stage Door

Baggage Man (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1937

Step Lively, Jeeves!

Joey ( Actor )

... 1937

Border Cafe

Shakey ( Actor )

... 1937

San Quentin

Prison Runner ( Actor )

... 1937

Wings Over Honolulu

Marine ( Actor )

... 1937

The Great O'Malley

School Bus Driver (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1937

Black Legion

Truck Driver in Diner (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1937

You Only Live Once

Dan - Corridor Guard (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1937

... 1937

We Who Are About to Die

Cell Block E Convict (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1937

Smart Blonde

Chuck Cannon ( Actor )

... 1937

Night Waitress

Diner Trying to Date Helen ( Actor )

... 1936

The Big Game

Man Outside Hotel ( Actor )

... 1936

... 1936

Walking on Air

Sam, Second Gas Station Attendant (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1936

Love Begins at Twenty

Lester - O'Bannion's Driver ( Actor )

... 1936

Bullets or Ballots

Actor Impersonating Kruger in Newsreel (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1936

Dancing Pirate

Pirate (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1936

Sons o' Guns

Soldier ( Actor )

... 1936

The Crime Patrol

Bennie ( Actor )

... 1936

The Girl from Mandalay

Drunken Brawler ( Actor )

... 1936

Two in Revolt

Davis ( Actor )

... 1936

... 1936

Love on a Bet

Reporter ( Actor )

... 1936

Paddy O'Day

Milkman's Helper on Dock ( Actor )

... 1936

Chatterbox

Himself (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1936

... 1936

The Fighting Marines

Gibson ( Actor )

... 1935

Mary Burns, Fugitive

Sailor ( Actor )

... 1935

3 Kids and a Queen

Reporter ( Actor )

... 1935

Dr. Socrates

Gangster ( Actor )

... 1935

Charlie Chan in Shanghai

Taxi Driver Henchman ( Actor )

... 1935

The Daring Young Man

Reporter ( Actor )

... 1935

The Miracle Rider

Morley ( Actor )

... 1935

The Oil Raider

Simmons ( Actor )

... 1934

Gridiron Flash

Convict Football Player ( Actor )

... 1934

She Had to Choose

Hold-Up Man ( Actor )

... 1934

Name the Woman

Reporter ( Actor )

... 1934

Blind Date

Evans - Bob's Chauffeur ( Actor )

... 1934

The Lost Jungle

Slade ( Actor )

... 1934

The Personality Kid

Max ( Actor )

... 1934

Hell Bent for Love

Ernest Dallas ( Actor )

... 1934

The Lost Jungle

Slade ( Actor )

... 1934

... 1934

Before Dawn

Policeman in Car (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1933

Arizona to Broadway

Pete ( Actor )

... 1933

... 1932

Rockabye

Reporter (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1932

The World and the Flesh

Vorobiov ( Actor )

... 1932

Cock of the Air

Military Policeman ( Actor )

... 1932

Suicide Fleet

Radio Operator ( Actor )

... 1931

The Good Bad Girl

Thug ( Actor )

... 1931

Going Wild

Ferguson - Pilot ( Actor )

... 1930

Numbered Men

Convict Road Laborer (uncredited) ( Actor )

... 1930

The Thrill Seekers

A Hood ( Actor )

... 1927

The First Auto

Bartender ( Actor )

... 1927