Max Wagner
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1901-11-28
Day of Death
1975-11-16 (73 years old)
Place of Birth
Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
Max Wagner
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
Acting
(1974)
Young Frankenstein
as Villager
(1973)
Terror in the Wax Museum
as Music Hall Drunk (Uncredited)
(1972)
Evil Roy Slade
as Townsman (uncredited)
(1971)
Support Your Local Gunfighter
as Townsman Watching Fight (uncredited)
(1970)
The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again
as Barfly (uncredited)
(1969)
True Grit
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
(1968)
Rosemary's Baby
as Man in Dream Sequence (uncredited)
(1968)
Hang 'em High
as Prisoner
(1968)
The Legend of Lylah Clare
as Reporter (uncredited)
(1967)
Return of the Gunfighter
as Barfly (uncredited)
(1966)
(1966)
A Big Hand for the Little Lady
as Cashier (uncredited)
(1965)
The Great Race
as Barfly (uncredited)
(1965)
Shenandoah
as Church Member
(1963)
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
as Spectator (uncredited)
(1963)
4 for Texas
as Blackjack Dealer
(1962)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
as Townsman (uncredited)
(1962)
To Kill a Mockingbird
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
(1962)
(1960)
Sunrise at Campobello
as Convention Delegate (uncredited)
(1960)
Ice Palace
as Party Guest (uncredited)
(1957)
The Spirit of St. Louis
as Reporter (uncredited)
(1957)
Robbery Under Arms
as Sergeant Goring
(1957)
Public Pigeon No. 1
as Police Detective (uncredited)
(1955)
East of Eden
as Workman (uncredited)
(1955)
Illegal
as Bartender (uncredited)
(1955)
I Died a Thousand Times
as Deputy Charlie (uncredited)
(1954)
The Country Girl
as Expressman (uncredited)
(1954)
The Great Diamond Robbery
as Policeman (uncredited)
(1953)
Invaders from Mars
as Army Sgt. Rinaldi
(1953)
Donovan's Brain
as Station Agent (uncredited)
(1952)
(1951)
The Secret of Convict Lake
as Jack Purcell (uncredited)
(1951)
The Racket
as Durko (uncredited)
(1951)
Pier 23
as Bar Patron (uncredited)
(1950)
Frenchie
as Drunk (uncredited)
(1949)
Caught
as Projectionist (uncredited)
(1949)
Reign of Terror
as Citizen (uncredited)
(1949)
The Red Pony
as Bartender
(1949)
It Happens Every Spring
as Umpire (uncredited)
(1949)
Flaxy Martin
as Charles McMahon
(1948)
The Miracle of the Bells
as Baggage Man
(1948)
The Sainted Sisters
as Townsman (uncredited)
(1948)
Shed No Tears
as Second Investigating Detective (Uncredited)
(1948)
Half Past Midnight
as Mike
(1947)
Sinbad the Sailor
as Assistant Overseer (uncredited)
(1947)
(1946)
It's a Wonderful Life
as Cashier / Nick's Assistant Bouncer (uncredited)
(1946)
Dick Tracy vs. Cueball
as Bartender (uncredited)
(1946)
That Brennan Girl
as Moving Man (uncredited)
(1946)
The Truth About Murder
as Henchman Mike (uncredited)
(1945)
The Lost Weekend
as Mike (uncredited)
(1945)
Fallen Angel
as Bartender (uncredited)
(1945)
Circumstantial Evidence
as Truck Driver
(1945)
A Medal for Benny
as Jake (uncredited)
(1945)
Radio Stars on Parade
as George
(1944)
The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek
as Military Police Driver (uncredited)
(1944)
Hi, Beautiful
as Sailor (uncredited)
(1944)
Boss of Boomtown
as Sergeant George Dunne
(1943)
Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines
as Rudy the Sailor
(1942)
The Talk of the Town
as Moving Man (uncredited)
(1942)
The Palm Beach Story
as Tom's Best Man (uncredited)
(1942)
The Spoilers
as Deputy (uncredited)
(1942)
Moontide
as Fisherman (uncredited)
(1942)
Obliging Young Lady
as Jack - Diner Counterman (uncredited)
(1942)
The Wife Takes a Flyer
as Sergeant
(1942)
A Night to Remember
as Policeman Temple (uncredited)
(1942)
Panama Hattie
as Jailer (uncredited)
(1942)
Overland to Deadwood
as Buck
(1942)
Come on Danger
as Tough Guy
(1942)
Matri-Phony
as Guard (uncredited)
(1942)
Mexican Spitfire's Elephant
as Villa Luigi Headwaiter
(1942)
Sabotage Squad
as Recruiting Sergeant
(1941)
Texas
as Fats Delaney
(1941)
Cyclone on Horseback
as Jamison
(1941)
Ride on Vaquero
as Partner
(1941)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
as Bartender
(1940)
The Ghost Breakers
as Ship Porter (uncredited)
(1940)
The Grapes of Wrath
as Guard (uncredited)
(1940)
They Drive by Night
as Sweeney, Driver (uncredited)
(1940)
Hired Wife
as Streetcar Conductor
(1940)
Charlie Chan in Panama
as Soldier
(1940)
Trail of the Vigilantes
as Joe
(1940)
Buck Benny Rides Again
as Cowboy
(1940)
The Mad Doctor
as Cab Driver (Uncredited)
(1940)
The Bank Dick
as Shirtless Ditchdigger (uncredited)
(1940)
The Man Who Wouldn't Talk
as Truck Driver
(1940)
The House Across the Bay
as Jim
(1940)
Lucky Partners
as Waiter (uncredited)
(1940)
Wildcat Bus
as Bus Driver Jackson (uncredited)
(1940)
Rhythm on the River
as Cherry's Cabbie
(1940)
You Can't Fool Your Wife
as Burglar
(1940)
Pop Always Pays
as Bill - Policeman in Car 43
(1940)
Men Against the Sky
as Max - Radioman
(1940)
Millionaire Playboy
as Highway Patrol Officer
(1940)
Mexican Spitfire
as Headwaiter - Mexican Pete's
(1939)
The Roaring Twenties
as Gangster (uncredited)
(1939)
Fifth Avenue Girl
as Policeman (uncredited)
(1939)
Reno
as Police Lt. Joe Wilson
(1939)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
as Thug
(1939)
Mr. Moto in Danger Island
as Sailor at Wrestling Match
(1939)
Wings of the Navy
as Boss Mechanic
(1939)
Off the Record
as Visitor (uncredited)
(1939)
The Day the Bookies Wept
as Bet Placing Taxi Driver (uncredited)
(1939)
Our Leading Citizen
as Workman
(1939)
Fast and Loose
as Nolan's Henchman (uncredited)
(1939)
The Girl from Mexico
as Headwaiter
(1939)
Cafe Society
as Guest
(1939)
The Return of the Cisco Kid
as Brings in Rustler
(1939)
Money to Loan
as Hanley's Strong-Arm Man
(1939)
Scouts to the Rescue
as Joe - Truck Driver-Henchman
(1939)
I'll Tell the World
as Salesman
(1938)
Born to Be Wild
as Jake - Trucker in Cafe (uncredited)
(1938)
Professor Beware
as Chinatown Barker
(1938)
Penrod and His Twin Brother
as Blackie
(1938)
Painted Desert
as Henchman Kincaid
(1938)
Cocoanut Grove
as Brakeman
(1938)
Maid's Night Out
as Sam Johnson - Milk Man (uncredited)
(1938)
Tarnished Angel
as Tough Casino Decoy
(1938)
Little Tough Guys in Society
as Guest
(1938)
The Arkansas Traveler
as Hobo
(1937)
You Only Live Once
as Dan - Corridor Guard (uncredited)
(1937)
Stage Door
as Baggage Man (uncredited)
(1937)
Black Legion
as Truck Driver in Diner (uncredited)
(1937)
The Great O'Malley
as School Bus Driver (uncredited)
(1937)
Alcatraz Island
as Party Guest (uncredited)
(1937)
San Quentin
as Prison Runner
(1937)
Border Cafe
as Shakey
(1937)
Wings Over Honolulu
as Marine
(1937)
Smart Blonde
as Chuck Cannon
(1937)
We Who Are About to Die
as Cell Block E Convict (uncredited)
(1937)
(1937)
Many Unhappy Returns
as Ernie - Counter Girl's Boyfriend
(1937)
Step Lively, Jeeves!
as Joey
(1936)
Dancing Pirate
as Pirate (uncredited)
(1936)
Love on a Bet
as Reporter
(1936)
Bullets or Ballots
as Actor Impersonating Kruger in Newsreel (uncredited)
(1936)
Night Waitress
as Diner Trying to Date Helen
(1936)
Sons o' Guns
as Soldier
(1936)
Chatterbox
as Himself (uncredited)
(1936)
Walking on Air
as Sam, Second Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
(1936)
The Girl on the Front Page
as Fireman
(1936)
Love Begins at Twenty
as Lester - O'Bannion's Driver
(1936)
The House of a Thousand Candles
as Henchman
(1936)
The Girl from Mandalay
as Drunken Brawler
(1936)
The Big Game
as Man Outside Hotel
(1936)
Paddy O'Day
as Milkman's Helper on Dock
(1936)
The Crime Patrol
as Bennie
(1936)
Two in Revolt
as Davis
(1936)
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
as Pug O'Leary
(1935)
Dr. Socrates
as Gangster
(1935)
The Daring Young Man
as Reporter
(1935)
3 Kids and a Queen
as Reporter
(1935)
Mary Burns, Fugitive
as Sailor
(1935)
The Miracle Rider
as Morley
(1935)
Charlie Chan in Shanghai
as Taxi Driver Henchman
(1935)
The Fighting Marines
as Gibson
(1934)
The Lost Jungle
as Slade
(1934)
The Lost Jungle
as Slade
(1934)
The Personality Kid
as Max
(1934)
Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen
as Grip
(1934)
Blind Date
as Evans - Bob's Chauffeur
(1934)
Gridiron Flash
as Convict Football Player
(1934)
Name the Woman
as Reporter
(1934)
She Had to Choose
as Hold-Up Man
(1934)
Hell Bent for Love
as Ernest Dallas
(1934)
The Oil Raider
as Simmons
(1933)
Before Dawn
as Policeman in Car (uncredited)
(1933)
Arizona to Broadway
as Pete
(1932)
Cock of the Air
as Military Policeman
(1932)
Renegades of the West
as Bob
(1932)
Rockabye
as Reporter (uncredited)
(1932)
The World and the Flesh
as Vorobiov
(1931)
Suicide Fleet
as Radio Operator (uncredited)
(1931)
The Good Bad Girl
as Thug
(1930)
Numbered Men
as Convict Road Laborer (uncredited)
(1930)
Going Wild
as Ferguson - Pilot
(1930)
(1927)
The First Auto
as Bartender
(1927)
Flashing Oars
as Student
(1927)
The Relay
as Sophomore
(1927)
The Thrill Seekers
as A Hood
(1926)
Making Good
as Student
Crew
(2024)
The Garden
Art Direction