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Max Wagner

Max Wagner

Known For Acting
Birthday Nov 28, 1901
Died Nov 16, 1975 (73)
Birthplace Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
Popularity 0.3 (history)
Updated Aug 05, 2024 (Update)
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
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, mo ... st 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

Filmography

Young Frankenstein

Young Frankenstein

1974

as Villager

Terror in the Wax Museum

Terror in the Wax Museum

1973

as Music Hall Drunk (Uncredited)

Evil Roy Slade

Evil Roy Slade

1972

as Townsman (uncredited)

Support Your Local Gunfighter

Support Your Local Gunfighter

1971

as Townsman Watching Fight (uncredited)

The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again

The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again

1970

as Barfly (uncredited)

True Grit

True Grit

1969

as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Rosemary's Baby

Rosemary's Baby

1968

as Man in Dream Sequence (uncredited)

Hang 'em High

Hang 'em High

1968

as Prisoner

Return of the Gunfighter

Return of the Gunfighter

1967

as Barfly (uncredited)

A Big Hand for the Little Lady

A Big Hand for the Little Lady

1966

as Cashier (uncredited)

The Great Race

The Great Race

1965

as Barfly (uncredited)

Shenandoah

Shenandoah

1965

as Church Member

4 for Texas

4 for Texas

1963

as Blackjack Dealer

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

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

1963

as Spectator (uncredited)

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

1962

as Townsman (uncredited)

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

1962

as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Robbery Under Arms

Robbery Under Arms

1957

as Sergeant Goring

The Spirit of St. Louis

The Spirit of St. Louis

1957

as Reporter (uncredited)

I Died a Thousand Times

I Died a Thousand Times

1955

as Deputy Charlie (uncredited)

East of Eden

East of Eden

1955

as Workman (uncredited)

Illegal

Illegal

1955

as Bartender (uncredited)

The Great Diamond Robbery

The Great Diamond Robbery

1954

as Policeman (uncredited)

The Country Girl

The Country Girl

1954

as Expressman (uncredited)

Invaders from Mars

Invaders from Mars

1953

as Army Sgt. Rinaldi

Donovan's Brain

Donovan's Brain

1953

as Station Agent (uncredited)

The Secret of Convict Lake

The Secret of Convict Lake

1951

as Jack Purcell (uncredited)

Pier 23

Pier 23

1951

as Bar Patron (uncredited)

The Racket

The Racket

1951

as Durko (uncredited)

Frenchie

Frenchie

1950

as Drunk (uncredited)

Flaxy Martin

Flaxy Martin

1949

as Charles McMahon

Caught

Caught

1949

as Projectionist (uncredited)

The Red Pony

The Red Pony

1949

as Bartender

Reign of Terror

Reign of Terror

1949

as Citizen (uncredited)

It Happens Every Spring

It Happens Every Spring

1949

as Umpire (uncredited)

Half Past Midnight

Half Past Midnight

1948

as Mike

Shed No Tears

Shed No Tears

1948

as Second Investigating Detective (Uncredited)

The Miracle of the Bells

The Miracle of the Bells

1948

as Baggage Man

The Truth About Murder

The Truth About Murder

1946

as Henchman Mike (uncredited)

That Brennan Girl

That Brennan Girl

1946

as Moving Man (uncredited)

Dick Tracy vs. Cueball

Dick Tracy vs. Cueball

1946

as Bartender (uncredited)

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life

1946

as Cashier / Nick's Assistant Bouncer (uncredited)

Radio Stars on Parade

Radio Stars on Parade

1945

as George

Fallen Angel

Fallen Angel

1945

as Bartender (uncredited)

A Medal for Benny

A Medal for Benny

1945

as Jake (uncredited)

Circumstantial Evidence

Circumstantial Evidence

1945

as Truck Driver

The Lost Weekend

The Lost Weekend

1945

as Mike (uncredited)

Boss of Boomtown

Boss of Boomtown

1944

as Sergeant George Dunne

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek

1944

as Military Police Driver (uncredited)

Sabotage Squad

Sabotage Squad

1942

as Recruiting Sergeant

Overland to Deadwood

Overland to Deadwood

1942

as Buck

Matri-Phony

Matri-Phony

1942

as Guard (uncredited)

Mexican Spitfire's Elephant

Mexican Spitfire's Elephant

1942

as Villa Luigi Headwaiter

Come on Danger

Come on Danger

1942

as Tough Guy

The Talk of the Town

The Talk of the Town

1942

as Moving Man (uncredited)

Panama Hattie

Panama Hattie

1942

as Jailer (uncredited)

Moontide

Moontide

1942

as Fisherman (uncredited)

The Palm Beach Story

The Palm Beach Story

1942

as Tom's Best Man (uncredited)

A Night to Remember

A Night to Remember

1942

as Policeman Temple (uncredited)

The Spoilers

The Spoilers

1942

as Deputy (uncredited)

Obliging Young Lady

Obliging Young Lady

1942

as Jack - Diner Counterman (uncredited)

The Wife Takes a Flyer

The Wife Takes a Flyer

1942

as Sergeant

Cyclone on Horseback

Cyclone on Horseback

1941

as Jamison

Ride on Vaquero

Ride on Vaquero

1941

as Partner

The Mexican Spitfire's Baby

The Mexican Spitfire's Baby

1941

as Bartender

Texas

Texas

1941

as Fats Delaney

You Can't Fool Your Wife

You Can't Fool Your Wife

1940

as Burglar

Mexican Spitfire

Mexican Spitfire

1940

as Headwaiter - Mexican Pete's

The Mad Doctor

The Mad Doctor

1940

as Cab Driver (Uncredited)

Millionaire Playboy

Millionaire Playboy

1940

as Highway Patrol Officer

Pop Always Pays

Pop Always Pays

1940

as Bill - Policeman in Car 43

Charlie Chan in Panama

Charlie Chan in Panama

1940

as Soldier

The Ghost Breakers

The Ghost Breakers

1940

as Ship Porter (uncredited)

Men Against the Sky

Men Against the Sky

1940

as Max - Radioman

Lucky Partners

Lucky Partners

1940

as Waiter (uncredited)

Hired Wife

Hired Wife

1940

as Streetcar Conductor

Rhythm on the River

Rhythm on the River

1940

as Cherry's Cabbie

Wildcat Bus

Wildcat Bus

1940

as Bus Driver Jackson (uncredited)

Buck Benny Rides Again

Buck Benny Rides Again

1940

as Cowboy

They Drive by Night

They Drive by Night

1940

as Sweeney, Driver (uncredited)

The Bank Dick

The Bank Dick

1940

as Shirtless Ditchdigger (uncredited)

The Grapes of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath

1940

as Guard (uncredited)

The Man Who Wouldn't Talk

The Man Who Wouldn't Talk

1940

as Truck Driver

I'll Tell the World

I'll Tell the World

1939

as Salesman

Our Leading Citizen

Our Leading Citizen

1939

as Workman

The Girl from Mexico

The Girl from Mexico

1939

as Headwaiter

The Return of the Cisco Kid

The Return of the Cisco Kid

1939

as Brings in Rustler

Fast and Loose

Fast and Loose

1939

as Nolan's Henchman

Money to Loan

Money to Loan

1939

as Hanley's Strong-Arm Man

Scouts to the Rescue

Scouts to the Rescue

1939

as Joe - Truck Driver-Henchman

Reno

Reno

1939

as Police Lt. Joe Wilson

Fifth Avenue Girl

Fifth Avenue Girl

1939

as Policeman (uncredited)

The Day the Bookies Wept

The Day the Bookies Wept

1939

as Bet Placing Taxi Driver (uncredited)

Mr. Moto in Danger Island

Mr. Moto in Danger Island

1939

as Sailor at Wrestling Match

Cafe Society

Cafe Society

1939

as Guest

Off the Record

Off the Record

1939

as Visitor (uncredited)

Wings of the Navy

Wings of the Navy

1939

as Boss Mechanic

The Roaring Twenties

The Roaring Twenties

1939

as Gangster (uncredited)

Painted Desert

Painted Desert

1938

as Henchman Kincaid

Penrod and His Twin Brother

Penrod and His Twin Brother

1938

as Blackie

The Arkansas Traveler

The Arkansas Traveler

1938

as Hobo

Maid's Night Out

Maid's Night Out

1938

as Sam Johnson - Milk Man (uncredited)

Tarnished Angel

Tarnished Angel

1938

as Tough Casino Decoy

Born to Be Wild

Born to Be Wild

1938

as Jake - Trucker in Cafe (uncredited)

Cocoanut Grove

Cocoanut Grove

1938

as Brakeman

Professor Beware

Professor Beware

1938

as Chinatown Barker

Many Unhappy Returns

Many Unhappy Returns

1937

as Ernie - Counter Girl's Boyfriend

Border Cafe

Border Cafe

1937

as Shakey

Step Lively, Jeeves!

Step Lively, Jeeves!

1937

as Joey

Smart Blonde

Smart Blonde

1937

as Chuck Cannon

San Quentin

San Quentin

1937

as Prison Runner

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island

1937

as Party Guest (uncredited)

Stage Door

Stage Door

1937

as Baggage Man (uncredited)

Black Legion

Black Legion

1937

as Truck Driver in Diner (uncredited)

Wings Over Honolulu

Wings Over Honolulu

1937

as Marine

We Who Are About to Die

We Who Are About to Die

1937

as Cell Block E Convict (uncredited)

The Great O'Malley

The Great O'Malley

1937

as School Bus Driver (uncredited)

You Only Live Once

You Only Live Once

1937

as Dan - Corridor Guard (uncredited)

The Crime Patrol

The Crime Patrol

1936

as Bennie

Two in Revolt

Two in Revolt

1936

as Davis

Love Begins at Twenty

Love Begins at Twenty

1936

as Lester - O'Bannion's Driver

The Girl from Mandalay

The Girl from Mandalay

1936

as Drunken Brawler

Night Waitress

Night Waitress

1936

as Diner Trying to Date Helen

Dancing Pirate

Dancing Pirate

1936

as Pirate (uncredited)

Walking on Air

Walking on Air

1936

as Sam, Second Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)

Paddy O'Day

Paddy O'Day

1936

as Milkman's Helper on Dock

Sons o' Guns

Sons o' Guns

1936

as Soldier

The Big Game

The Big Game

1936

as Man Outside Hotel

Love on a Bet

Love on a Bet

1936

as Reporter

The Girl on the Front Page

The Girl on the Front Page

1936

as Fireman

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell

1936

as Pug O'Leary

Bullets or Ballots

Bullets or Ballots

1936

as Actor Impersonating Kruger in Newsreel (uncredited)

Charlie Chan in Shanghai

Charlie Chan in Shanghai

1935

as Taxi Driver Henchman

The Miracle Rider

The Miracle Rider

1935

as Morley

The Fighting Marines

The Fighting Marines

1935

as Gibson

Mary Burns, Fugitive

Mary Burns, Fugitive

1935

as Sailor

Dr. Socrates

Dr. Socrates

1935

as Gangster

The Daring Young Man

The Daring Young Man

1935

as Reporter

3 Kids and a Queen

3 Kids and a Queen

1935

as Reporter

The Oil Raider

The Oil Raider

1934

as Simmons

The Lost Jungle

The Lost Jungle

1934

as Slade

The Lost Jungle

The Lost Jungle

1934

as Slade

Hell Bent for Love

Hell Bent for Love

1934

as Ernest Dallas

She Had to Choose

She Had to Choose

1934

as Hold-Up Man

Gridiron Flash

Gridiron Flash

1934

as Convict Football Player

Name the Woman

Name the Woman

1934

as Reporter

The Personality Kid

The Personality Kid

1934

as Max

Blind Date

Blind Date

1934

as Evans - Bob's Chauffeur

Arizona to Broadway

Arizona to Broadway

1933

as Pete

Before Dawn

Before Dawn

1933

as Policeman in Car (uncredited)

Renegades of the West

Renegades of the West

1932

as Bob

The World and the Flesh

The World and the Flesh

1932

as Vorobiov

Cock of the Air

Cock of the Air

1932

as Military Policeman

Rockabye

Rockabye

1932

as Reporter (uncredited)

The Good Bad Girl

The Good Bad Girl

1931

as Thug

Suicide Fleet

Suicide Fleet

1931

as Radio Operator (uncredited)

Numbered Men

Numbered Men

1930

as Convict Road Laborer (uncredited)

Going Wild

Going Wild

1930

as Ferguson - Pilot

The Thrill Seekers

The Thrill Seekers

1927

as A Hood

Flashing Oars

Flashing Oars

1927

as Student

The Relay

The Relay

1927

as Sophomore

The First Auto

The First Auto

1927

as Bartender

Making Good

Making Good

1926

as Student

No data available

No data available

No data available

Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

The Twilight Zone

as Roller Coaster Operator

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1959

Columbo

as Derelict (uncredited)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 15, 1971

The Rifleman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 30, 1958

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 6 3 5 1
2024 7 6 11 1
2024 8 5 13 2
2024 9 4 8 1
2024 10 3 10 1
2024 11 2 5 1
2024 12 2 4 1
2025 1 4 15 1
2025 2 3 7 1
2025 3 2 4 1
2025 5 1 2 1
2025 6 1 1 1
2025 7 0 0 0
2025 8 2 8 0

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