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Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthday
November 28, 1901
Died
November 16, 1975
Place of Birth
Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
Also Known As
- Maxwell Wagner
Max Wagner
0.2 Popularity
Biography
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.
Known For
7.9
Villager (uncredited)
Young Frankenstein
1974
5.1
Music Hall Drunk (Uncredited)
Terror in the Wax Museum
1973
6.2
Townsman (uncredited)
Evil Roy Slade
1972
8.1
Derelict (uncredited)
Columbo
1971
6.6
Townsman Watching Fight (uncredited)
Support Your Local Gunfighter
1971
5.0
Barfly (uncredited)
The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again
1970
7.3
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
True Grit
1969
5.9
Reporter (uncredited)
The Legend of Lylah Clare
1968
7.8
Man in Dream Sequence (uncredited)
Rosemary's Baby
1968
6.8
Prisoner
Hang 'em High
1968
Credits
Young Frankenstein
as Villager (uncredited)
1974
7.9
Terror in the Wax Museum
as Music Hall Drunk (Uncredited)
1973
5.1
Evil Roy Slade
as Townsman (uncredited)
1972
6.2
Columbo
as Derelict (uncredited)
1971
8.1
Support Your Local Gunfighter
as Townsman Watching Fight (uncredited)
1971
6.6
The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again
as Barfly (uncredited)
1970
5.0
True Grit
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1969
7.3
The Legend of Lylah Clare
as Reporter (uncredited)
1968
5.9
Rosemary's Baby
as Man in Dream Sequence (uncredited)
1968
7.8
Hang 'em High
as Prisoner
1968
6.8
Return of the Gunfighter
as Barfly (uncredited)
1967
6.1
A Big Hand for the Little Lady
as Cashier (uncredited)
1966
7.1
Gunpoint
1966
6.0
The Great Race
as Barfly (uncredited)
1965
7.1
Shenandoah
as Church Member
1965
6.9
4 for Texas
as Blackjack Dealer
1963
5.1
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
as Spectator (uncredited)
1963
7.0
To Kill a Mockingbird
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1962
8.0
Pressure Point
1962
6.5
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
as Townsman (uncredited)
1962
7.8
Sunrise at Campobello
as Convention Delegate (uncredited)
1960
6.0
Ice Palace
as Party Guest (uncredited)
1960
5.8
The Twilight Zone
as Roller Coaster Operator
1959
8.5
The Rifleman
1958
7.1
Public Pigeon No. 1
as Police Detective (uncredited)
1957
6.0
The Spirit of St. Louis
as Reporter (uncredited)
1957
6.7
Robbery Under Arms
as Sergeant Goring
1957
4.9
The Conqueror
as Mongul Guard (uncredited)
1956
3.5
I Died a Thousand Times
as Deputy Charlie (uncredited)
1955
6.1
Illegal
as Bartender (uncredited)
1955
6.4
East of Eden
as Workman (uncredited)
1955
7.5
The Country Girl
as Expressman (uncredited)
1954
6.9
The Great Diamond Robbery
as Policeman (uncredited)
1954
0.0
Donovan's Brain
as Station Agent (uncredited)
1953
6.1
Invaders from Mars
as Army Sgt. Rinaldi
1953
5.9
The Abbott and Costello Show
as First Workman
1952
7.2
Flaming Feather
1952
5.8
The Racket
as Durko (uncredited)
1951
6.3
The Secret of Convict Lake
as Jack Purcell (uncredited)
1951
6.6
Pier 23
as Bar Patron (uncredited)
1951
5.2
Frenchie
as Drunk (uncredited)
1950
5.7
Reign of Terror
as Citizen (uncredited)
1949
6.8
It Happens Every Spring
as Umpire (uncredited)
1949
6.5
The Red Pony
as Bartender
1949
5.9
Caught
as Projectionist (uncredited)
1949
6.5
Flaxy Martin
as Charles McMahon
1949
5.5
Shed No Tears
as Second Investigating Detective (Uncredited)
1948
4.8
The Sainted Sisters
as Townsman (uncredited)
1948
7.0
The Miracle of the Bells
as Baggage Man
1948
5.9
Half Past Midnight
as Mike
1948
6.0
Tycoon
1947
5.3
Possessed
as Man in Café (uncredited)
1947
6.9
Sinbad the Sailor
as Assistant Overseer (uncredited)
1947
5.9
That Brennan Girl
as Moving Man (uncredited)
1946
5.1
It's a Wonderful Life
as Cashier / Nick's Assistant Bouncer (uncredited)
1946
8.3
Dick Tracy vs. Cueball
as Bartender (uncredited)
1946
5.3
The Truth About Murder
as Henchman Mike (uncredited)
1946
4.0
The Lost Weekend
as Mike (uncredited)
1945
7.6
Fallen Angel
as Bartender (uncredited)
1945
6.5
Radio Stars on Parade
as George
1945
0.0
Circumstantial Evidence
as Truck Driver
1945
4.8
A Medal for Benny
as Jake (uncredited)
1945
4.5
Hi, Beautiful
as Sailor (uncredited)
1944
9.5
The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek
as Military Police Driver (uncredited)
1944
6.8
Boss of Boomtown
as Sergeant George Dunne
1944
0.0
Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines
as Rudy the Sailor
1943
5.7
A Night to Remember
as Policeman Temple (uncredited)
1942
6.6
Panama Hattie
as Jailer (uncredited)
1942
4.0
Overland to Deadwood
as Buck
1942
0.0
Mexican Spitfire's Elephant
as Villa Luigi Headwaiter
1942
5.2
The Palm Beach Story
as Tom's Best Man (uncredited)
1942
7.0
Sabotage Squad
as Recruiting Sergeant
1942
6.0
The Talk of the Town
as Moving Man (uncredited)
1942
7.3
Matri-Phony
as Guard (uncredited)
1942
4.9
The Spoilers
as Deputy (uncredited)
1942
6.2
Come on Danger
as Tough Guy
1942
5.7
Moontide
as Fisherman (uncredited)
1942
6.3
The Wife Takes a Flyer
as Sergeant
1942
4.5
Obliging Young Lady
as Jack - Diner Counterman (uncredited)
1942
5.0
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
as Bartender
1941
4.1
Texas
as Fats Delaney
1941
6.5
Cyclone on Horseback
as Jamison
1941
5.8
Ride on Vaquero
as Partner
1941
4.2
The Mad Doctor
as Cab Driver (Uncredited)
1940
6.2
Trail of the Vigilantes
as Joe
1940
0.0
The Bank Dick
as Shirtless Ditchdigger (uncredited)
1940
6.5
Hired Wife
as Streetcar Conductor
1940
6.8
Men Against the Sky
as Max - Radioman
1940
3.8
Rhythm on the River
as Cherry's Cabbie
1940
6.8
Wildcat Bus
as Bus Driver Jackson (uncredited)
1940
4.9
Lucky Partners
as Waiter (uncredited)
1940
6.0
They Drive by Night
as Sweeney, Driver (uncredited)
1940
6.9
The Ghost Breakers
as Ship Porter (uncredited)
1940
6.5
Pop Always Pays
as Bill - Policeman in Car 43
1940
0.0
Buck Benny Rides Again
as Cowboy
1940
0.0
You Can't Fool Your Wife
as Burglar
1940
4.5
The Grapes of Wrath
as Guard (uncredited)
1940
7.8
Millionaire Playboy
as Highway Patrol Officer
1940
2.7
Charlie Chan in Panama
as Soldier
1940
6.8
The House Across the Bay
as Jim
1940
5.5
Mexican Spitfire
as Headwaiter - Mexican Pete's
1940
4.6
The Man Who Wouldn't Talk
as Truck Driver
1940
4.0
Reno
as Police Lt. Joe Wilson
1939
6.0
The Roaring Twenties
as Gangster (uncredited)
1939
7.5
Fifth Avenue Girl
as Policeman (uncredited)
1939
6.9
The Day the Bookies Wept
as Bet Placing Taxi Driver (uncredited)
1939
5.0
Our Leading Citizen
as Workman
1939
0.0
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
as Thug
1939
5.6
The Girl from Mexico
as Headwaiter
1939
4.2
The Return of the Cisco Kid
as Brings in Rustler
1939
5.0
Mr. Moto in Danger Island
as Sailor at Wrestling Match
1939
6.7
Money to Loan
as Hanley's Strong-Arm Man
1939
6.7
I'll Tell the World
as Salesman
1939
0.0
Cafe Society
as Guest
1939
6.0
Fast and Loose
as Nolan's Henchman (uncredited)
1939
5.6
Wings of the Navy
as Boss Mechanic
1939
6.0
Off the Record
as Visitor (uncredited)
1939
6.0
Scouts to the Rescue
as Joe - Truck Driver-Henchman
1939
0.0
Little Tough Guys in Society
as Guest
1938
6.0
Tarnished Angel
as Tough Casino Decoy
1938
5.0
The Arkansas Traveler
as Hobo
1938
6.0
Painted Desert
as Henchman Kincaid
1938
5.8
Professor Beware
as Chinatown Barker
1938
6.1
Cocoanut Grove
as Brakeman
1938
0.0
Maid's Night Out
as Sam Johnson - Milk Man (uncredited)
1938
5.1
Penrod and His Twin Brother
as Blackie
1938
5.0
Born to Be Wild
as Jake - Trucker in Cafe (uncredited)
1938
7.0
Many Unhappy Returns
as Ernie - Counter Girl's Boyfriend
1937
0.0
Alcatraz Island
as Party Guest (uncredited)
1937
4.9
Stage Door
as Baggage Man (uncredited)
1937
7.0
Step Lively, Jeeves!
as Joey
1937
4.7
Border Cafe
as Shakey
1937
6.3
San Quentin
as Prison Runner
1937
6.5
Wings Over Honolulu
as Marine
1937
5.5
The Great O'Malley
as School Bus Driver (uncredited)
1937
6.7
Black Legion
as Truck Driver in Diner (uncredited)
1937
6.6
You Only Live Once
as Dan - Corridor Guard (uncredited)
1937
7.1
God's Country and the Woman
as Gus
1937
4.2
We Who Are About to Die
as Cell Block E Convict (uncredited)
1937
6.8
Smart Blonde
as Chuck Cannon
1937
6.1
Night Waitress
as Diner Trying to Date Helen
1936
5.8
The Big Game
as Man Outside Hotel
1936
5.8
The Girl on the Front Page
as Fireman
1936
0.0
Walking on Air
as Sam, Second Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
1936
5.8
Love Begins at Twenty
as Lester - O'Bannion's Driver
1936
6.0
Bullets or Ballots
as Actor Impersonating Kruger in Newsreel (uncredited)
1936
6.6
Dancing Pirate
as Pirate (uncredited)
1936
5.5
Sons o' Guns
as Soldier
1936
4.3
The Crime Patrol
as Bennie
1936
5.0
The Girl from Mandalay
as Drunken Brawler
1936
3.0
Two in Revolt
as Davis
1936
6.0
The House of a Thousand Candles
as Henchman
1936
0.0
Love on a Bet
as Reporter
1936
7.0
Chatterbox
as Himself (uncredited)
1936
6.0
Paddy O'Day
as Milkman's Helper on Dock
1936
7.0
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
as Pug O'Leary
1936
4.0
The Fighting Marines
as Gibson
1935
6.0
Mary Burns, Fugitive
as Sailor
1935
0.0
3 Kids and a Queen
as Reporter
1935
6.0
Dr. Socrates
as Gangster
1935
6.4
Charlie Chan in Shanghai
as Taxi Driver Henchman
1935
6.6
The Daring Young Man
as Reporter
1935
0.0
The Miracle Rider
as Morley
1935
4.3
The Oil Raider
as Simmons
1934
0.0
Gridiron Flash
as Convict Football Player
1934
3.3
She Had to Choose
as Hold-Up Man
1934
5.0
Name the Woman
as Reporter
1934
0.0
Blind Date
as Evans - Bob's Chauffeur
1934
7.0
The Lost Jungle
as Slade
1934
3.4
The Personality Kid
as Max
1934
3.7
Hell Bent for Love
as Ernest Dallas
1934
0.0
The Lost Jungle
as Slade
1934
2.3
Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen
as Grip
1934
5.0
Before Dawn
as Policeman in Car (uncredited)
1933
5.6
Arizona to Broadway
as Pete
1933
7.0
Renegades of the West
as Bob
1932
5.5
Rockabye
as Reporter (uncredited)
1932
6.2
The World and the Flesh
as Vorobiov
1932
6.5
Cock of the Air
as Military Policeman
1932
6.5
Suicide Fleet
as Radio Operator (uncredited)
1931
4.3
The Good Bad Girl
as Thug
1931
5.5
Going Wild
as Ferguson - Pilot
1930
6.0
The Last of the Vargas
1930
0.0
Numbered Men
as Convict Road Laborer (uncredited)
1930
4.6
The Thrill Seekers
as A Hood
1927
6.0
The First Auto
as Bartender
1927
4.5
Flashing Oars
as Student
1927
2.3
The Relay
as Sophomore
1927
4.5
Making Good
as Student
1926
0.0