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.
Movie | Mordach: Death in the Mountains | Andreas | 2023-04-27 |
Movie | The Collini Case | 2019-04-18 | |
Movie | Music and Apocalypse | Gebäudemanagement | 2019-10-24 |
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 | Hang 'em High | Prisoner | 1968-04-12 |
Movie | The Legend of Lylah Clare | Reporter (uncredited) | 1968-08-21 |
Movie | Rosemary's Baby | Man in Dream | 1968-06-12 |
Movie | Return of the Gunfighter | Barfly (uncredited) | 1967-03-25 |
Movie | A Big Hand for the Little Lady | Cashier (uncredited) | 1966-06-08 |
Movie | Gunpoint | 1966-04-25 | |
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 | The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance | Townsman (uncredited) | 1962-04-13 |
Movie | To Kill a Mockingbird | Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) | 1962-12-20 |
Movie | Pressure Point | 1962-10-10 | |
Movie | Ice Palace | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1960-01-02 |
Series | The Rifleman | Unknown | 1958-09-30 |
Movie | Robbery Under Arms | Sergeant Goring | 1957-01-10 |
Movie | The Spirit of St. Louis | Reporter (uncredited) | 1957-04-01 |
Movie | Illegal | Bartender (uncredited) | 1955-10-09 |
Movie | East of Eden | Workman (uncredited) | 1955-04-10 |
Movie | I Died a Thousand Times | Deputy Charlie (uncredited) | 1955-11-09 |
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 | Pier 23 | Bar Patron (uncredited) | 1951-05-11 |
Movie | The Racket | Durko (uncredited) | 1951-10-25 |
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 | The Red Pony | Bartender | 1949-03-08 |
Movie | Flaxy Martin | Charles McMahon | 1949-02-15 |
Movie | It Happens Every Spring | Umpire (uncredited) | 1949-06-10 |
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 | That Brennan Girl | Moving Man (uncredited) | 1946-12-23 |
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 | A Medal for Benny | Jake (uncredited) | 1945-04-16 |
Movie | Circumstantial Evidence | Truck Driver | 1945-04-20 |
Movie | Fallen Angel | Bartender (uncredited) | 1945-11-15 |
Movie | The Lost Weekend | Mike (uncredited) | 1945-11-29 |
Movie | Radio Stars on Parade | George | 1945-08-01 |
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 | Come on Danger | Tough Guy | 1942-06-05 |
Movie | The Spoilers | Deputy (uncredited) | 1942-06-11 |
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 | Mexican Spitfire's Elephant | Villa Luigi Headwaiter | 1942-09-17 |
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 | Sabotage Squad | Recruiting Sergeant | 1942-08-27 |
Movie | The Palm Beach Story | Tom's Best Man (uncredited) | 1942-08-28 |
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 | The Ghost Breakers | Ship Porter (uncredited) | 1940-06-21 |
Movie | Pop Always Pays | Bill - Policeman in Car 43 | 1940-06-21 |
Movie | The Grapes of Wrath | Guard (uncredited) | 1940-03-15 |
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 | You Can't Fool Your Wife | Burglar | 1940-05-21 |
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 | Fifth Avenue 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 |