Image of Max Wagner

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.


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Born:
Nov 28, 1901 In Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
Movie/TV Credits:
180
First Appeared:
In the movie Making Good 1926-12-06
Latest Project:
Movie Music and Apocalypse 2019-10-24
Known For
Poster of The Procedure
Poster of Overland to Deadwood
Poster of Two in Revolt
Poster of The Oil Raider
Filmography
Movie Music and Apocalypse Gebäudemanagement 2019-10-24
Movie The Collini Case 2019-04-18
Movie The Procedure Roland Prengler 2015-06-28
Movie The Red Room Peter 2010-10-24
Movie Young Frankenstein Villager 1974-12-15
Movie Terror in the Wax Museum Music Hall Drunk (Uncredited) 1973-05-02
Movie Evil Roy Slade Townsman (uncredited) 1972-02-18
Movie Support Your Local Gunfighter Townsman Watching Fight (uncredited) 1971-05-26
Movie The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again Barfly (uncredited) 1970-11-16
Movie True Grit Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) 1969-06-11
Movie Rosemary's Baby Man in Dream 1968-06-12
Movie Hang 'em High Prisoner 1968-04-12
Movie Return of the Gunfighter Barfly (uncredited) 1967-03-25
Movie Gunpoint 1966-04-25
Movie A Big Hand for the Little Lady Cashier (uncredited) 1966-06-08
Movie Shenandoah Church Member 1965-06-03
Movie The Great Race Barfly (uncredited) 1965-07-01
Movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Spectator (uncredited) 1963-11-07
Movie 4 for Texas Blackjack Dealer 1963-12-21
Movie Pressure Point 1962-10-10
Movie The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Townsman (uncredited) 1962-04-13
Movie To Kill a Mockingbird Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) 1962-12-20
Movie Ice Palace Party Guest (uncredited) 1960-01-02
Series The Rifleman Unknown 1958-09-30
Movie The Spirit of St. Louis Reporter (uncredited) 1957-04-01
Movie Robbery Under Arms Sergeant Goring 1957-01-10
Movie East of Eden Workman (uncredited) 1955-04-10
Movie I Died a Thousand Times Deputy Charlie (uncredited) 1955-11-09
Movie Illegal Bartender (uncredited) 1955-10-09
Movie The Great Diamond Robbery Policeman (uncredited) 1954-01-29
Movie Invaders from Mars Army Sgt. Rinaldi 1953-04-22
Movie Donovan's Brain Station Agent (uncredited) 1953-09-30
Movie Flaming Feather 1952-02-01
Movie The Racket Durko (uncredited) 1951-10-25
Movie Pier 23 Bar Patron (uncredited) 1951-05-11
Movie The Secret of Convict Lake Jack Purcell (uncredited) 1951-07-29
Movie Frenchie Drunk (uncredited) 1950-12-25
Movie Caught Projectionist (uncredited) 1949-02-17
Movie Flaxy Martin Charles McMahon 1949-02-15
Movie It Happens Every Spring Umpire (uncredited) 1949-06-10
Movie The Red Pony Bartender 1949-03-08
Movie Reign of Terror Citizen (uncredited) 1949-10-15
Movie Half Past Midnight Mike 1948-03-01
Movie The Miracle of the Bells Baggage Man 1948-03-27
Movie Shed No Tears Second Investigating Detective (Uncredited) 1948-06-09
Movie The Sainted Sisters Townsman (uncredited) 1948-04-30
Movie Tycoon 1947-12-27
Movie The Truth About Murder Henchman Mike (uncredited) 1946-04-01
Movie Dick Tracy vs. Cueball Bartender (uncredited) 1946-11-22
Movie It's a Wonderful Life Cashier / Nick's Assistant Bouncer (uncredited) 1946-12-20
Movie That Brennan Girl Moving Man (uncredited) 1946-12-23
Movie A Medal for Benny Jake (uncredited) 1945-04-16
Movie Radio Stars on Parade George 1945-08-01
Movie Circumstantial Evidence Truck Driver 1945-04-20
Movie The Lost Weekend Mike (uncredited) 1945-11-29
Movie Fallen Angel Bartender (uncredited) 1945-11-15
Movie Boss of Boomtown Sergeant George Dunne 1944-05-20
Movie Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines Rudy the Sailor 1943-01-01
Movie The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek Military Police Driver (uncredited) 1943-12-12
Movie The Spoilers Deputy (uncredited) 1942-06-11
Movie Come on Danger Tough Guy 1942-06-05
Movie Obliging Young Lady Jack - Diner Counterman (uncredited) 1942-04-01
Movie Matri-Phony Guard (uncredited) 1942-07-02
Movie The Wife Takes a Flyer Sergeant 1942-04-28
Movie Moontide Fisherman 1942-05-29
Movie Sabotage Squad Recruiting Sergeant 1942-08-27
Movie A Night to Remember Policeman Temple (uncredited) 1942-12-10
Movie The Talk of the Town Moving Man (uncredited) 1942-08-20
Movie Panama Hattie Jailer (uncredited) 1942-09-30
Movie Overland to Deadwood Buck 1942-09-25
Movie The Palm Beach Story Tom's Best Man (uncredited) 1942-08-28
Movie Mexican Spitfire's Elephant Villa Luigi Headwaiter 1942-09-17
Movie Cyclone on Horseback Jamison 1941-06-13
Movie Ride on Vaquero Partner 1941-04-18
Movie Texas Fats Delaney 1941-10-09
Movie The Mexican Spitfire's Baby Bartender 1941-11-28
Movie You Can't Fool Your Wife Burglar 1940-05-21
Movie Pop Always Pays Bill - Policeman in Car 43 1940-06-21
Movie The Ghost Breakers Ship Porter (uncredited) 1940-06-21
Movie Buck Benny Rides Again Cowboy 1940-05-31
Movie The House Across the Bay Jim 1940-03-01
Movie The Man Who Wouldn't Talk Truck Driver 1940-01-11
Movie Mexican Spitfire Headwaiter - Mexican Pete's 1940-01-12
Movie Charlie Chan in Panama Soldier 1940-03-01
Movie Millionaire Playboy Highway Patrol Officer 1940-03-14
Movie The Grapes of Wrath Guard (uncredited) 1940-03-15
Movie The Bank Dick Shirtless Ditchdigger (uncredited) 1940-11-29
Movie The Mad Doctor Cab Driver (Uncredited) 1940-12-20
Movie They Drive by Night Sweeney, Driver (uncredited) 1940-07-26
Movie Hired Wife Streetcar Conductor 1940-09-13
Movie Trail of the Vigilantes Joe 1940-12-13
Movie Men Against the Sky Max - Radioman 1940-09-06
Movie Lucky Partners Waiter (uncredited) 1940-08-02
Movie Wildcat Bus Bus Driver Jackson (uncredited) 1940-08-23
Movie Rhythm on the River Cherry's Cabbie 1940-08-28
Movie Cafe Society Guest 1939-03-03
Movie Money to Loan Hanley's Strong-Arm Man 1939-03-11
Movie Fast and Loose Nolan's Henchman 1939-02-17
Movie Scouts to the Rescue Joe - Truck Driver-Henchman 1939-01-17
Movie Mr. Moto in Danger Island Sailor at Wrestling Match 1939-04-07
Movie Off the Record Visitor (uncredited) 1939-01-21
Movie Wings of the Navy Boss Mechanic 1939-02-11
Movie Our Leading Citizen Workman 1939-08-23
Movie The Return of the Cisco Kid Brings in Rustler 1939-04-28
Movie The Roaring Twenties Gangster (uncredited) 1939-10-28
Movie Reno Police Lt. Joe Wilson 1939-12-01
Movie The Day the Bookies Wept Bet Placing Taxi Driver (uncredited) 1939-09-13
Movie 5th Ave Girl Policeman (uncredited) 1939-09-22
Movie The Gracie Allen Murder Case Thug 1939-06-02
Movie The Girl from Mexico Headwaiter 1939-06-01
Movie Maid's Night Out Sam Johnson - Milk Man (uncredited) 1938-03-03
Movie Penrod and His Twin Brother Blackie 1938-02-26
Movie Born to Be Wild Jake - Trucker in Cafe (uncredited) 1938-02-16
Movie Cocoanut Grove Brakeman 1938-05-20
Movie The Arkansas Traveler Hobo 1938-10-14
Movie Professor Beware Chinatown Barker 1938-07-29
Movie Tarnished Angel Tough Casino Decoy 1938-10-28
Movie Little Tough Guys in Society Guest 1938-11-01
Movie Painted Desert Henchman Kincaid 1938-08-12
Movie You Only Live Once Dan - Corridor Guard (uncredited) 1937-01-23
Movie God's Country and the Woman Gus 1937-01-16
Movie Smart Blonde Chuck Cannon 1937-01-02
Movie The Great O'Malley School Bus Driver (uncredited) 1937-02-13
Movie We Who Are About to Die Cell Block E Convict (uncredited) 1937-01-08
Movie Black Legion Truck Driver in Diner (uncredited) 1937-01-30
Movie Alcatraz Island Party Guest (uncredited) 1937-10-13
Movie Wings Over Honolulu Marine 1937-05-16
Movie Step Lively, Jeeves! Joey 1937-06-30
Movie Stage Door Baggage Man (uncredited) 1937-10-08
Movie Border Cafe Shakey 1937-06-04
Movie San Quentin Prison Runner 1937-05-24
Movie The House of a Thousand Candles Henchman 1936-04-02
Movie Two in Revolt Davis 1936-04-03
Movie The Girl from Mandalay Drunken Brawler 1936-04-19
Movie Love on a Bet Reporter 1936-03-06
Movie The Adventures of Frank Merriwell Pug O'Leary 1936-01-13
Movie The Crime Patrol Bennie 1936-05-12
Movie Chatterbox Himself (uncredited) 1936-01-17
Movie Paddy O'Day Milkman's Helper on Dock 1936-01-17
Movie The Big Game Man Outside Hotel 1936-10-09
Movie Night Waitress Diner Trying to Date Helen 1936-12-18
Movie Sons o' Guns Soldier 1936-05-13
Movie Walking on Air Sam, Second Gas Station Attendant (uncredited) 1936-09-11
Movie The Girl on the Front Page Fireman 1936-09-26
Movie Bullets or Ballots Actor Impersonating Kruger in Newsreel (uncredited) 1936-06-06
Movie Dancing Pirate Pirate (uncredited) 1936-05-22
Movie Love Begins at Twenty Lester - O'Bannion's Driver 1936-08-22
Movie The Daring Young Man Reporter 1935-07-17
Movie A Notorious Gentleman 1935-01-21
Movie Charlie Chan in Shanghai Taxi Driver Henchman 1935-10-11
Movie The Miracle Rider Morley 1935-04-11
Movie 3 Kids and a Queen Reporter 1935-10-21
Movie Dr. Socrates Gangster 1935-10-19
Movie The Fighting Marines Gibson 1935-11-22
Movie Mary Burns, Fugitive Sailor 1935-11-15
Movie The Lost Jungle Slade 1934-06-13
Movie The Personality Kid Max 1934-06-06
Movie Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen Grip 1934-01-12
Movie Hell Bent for Love Ernest Dallas 1934-05-19
Movie Blind Date Evans - Bob's Chauffeur 1934-07-20
Movie Name the Woman Reporter 1934-07-25
Movie Gridiron Flash Convict Football Player 1934-10-06
Movie The Oil Raider Simmons 1934-11-01
Movie She Had to Choose Hold-Up Man 1934-10-01
Movie Arizona to Broadway Pete 1933-07-22
Movie Before Dawn Policeman in Car (uncredited) 1933-08-04
Movie The World and the Flesh Vorobiov 1932-04-22
Movie Cock of the Air Military Policeman 1932-01-23
Movie Renegades of the West Bob 1932-11-25
Movie Rockabye Reporter (uncredited) 1932-11-25
Movie The Good Bad Girl Thug 1931-05-20
Movie Suicide Fleet Radio Operator (uncredited) 1931-11-20
Movie Numbered Men Convict Road Laborer (uncredited) 1930-06-07
Movie The Last of the Vargas 1930-10-03
Movie Going Wild Ferguson - Pilot 1930-12-21
Movie The Relay Sophomore 1927-01-30
Movie Flashing Oars Student 1927-02-28
Movie The First Auto Bartender 1927-06-27
Movie The Thrill Seekers A Hood 1927-09-01
Movie Making Good Student 1926-12-06