Young Frankenstein
1974 · Movie
as Villager (uncredited)
Max Wagner
1901-11-28
•
Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
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.
Filmography
Terror in the Wax Museum
1973 · Movie
as Music Hall Drunk (Uncredited)
Evil Roy Slade
1972 · Movie
as Townsman (uncredited)
Support Your Local Gunfighter
1971 · Movie
as Townsman Watching Fight (uncredited)
Columbo
1971 · TV Show
as Derelict (uncredited)
The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again
1970 · Movie
as Barfly (uncredited)
The Cheyenne Social Club
1970 · Movie
as Barfly (uncredited)
True Grit
1969 · Movie
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Rosemary's Baby
1968 · Movie
as Man in Dream Sequence (uncredited)
Hang 'em High
1968 · Movie
as Prisoner
The Legend of Lylah Clare
1968 · Movie
as Reporter (uncredited)
Return of the Gunfighter
1967 · Movie
as Barfly (uncredited)
Gunpoint
1966 · Movie
A Big Hand for the Little Lady
1966 · Movie
as Cashier (uncredited)
The Great Race
1965 · Movie
as Barfly (uncredited)
Shenandoah
1965 · Movie
as Church Member
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
1963 · Movie
as Spectator (uncredited)
4 for Texas
1963 · Movie
as Blackjack Dealer
Pressure Point
1962 · Movie
To Kill a Mockingbird
1962 · Movie
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
1962 · Movie
as Townsman (uncredited)
Ice Palace
1960 · Movie
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Sunrise at Campobello
1960 · Movie
as Convention Delegate (uncredited)
The Andy Griffith Show
1960 · TV Show
as Townsman (uncredited)
The Twilight Zone
1959 · TV Show
as Roller Coaster Operator
Bonanza
1959 · TV Show
as Townsman (uncredited)
The Rifleman
1958 · TV Show
Robbery Under Arms
1957 · Movie
as Sergeant Goring
The Spirit of St. Louis
1957 · Movie
as Reporter (uncredited)
Public Pigeon No. 1
1957 · Movie
as Police Detective (uncredited)
The Conqueror
1956 · Movie
as Mongul Guard (uncredited)
I Died a Thousand Times
1955 · Movie
as Deputy Charlie (uncredited)
Illegal
1955 · Movie
as Bartender (uncredited)
East of Eden
1955 · Movie
as Workman (uncredited)
Tennessee's Partner
1955 · Movie
as Townsman (uncredited)
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
1955 · TV Show
as Gambler (uncredited), Townsman (uncredited)
The Great Diamond Robbery
1954 · Movie
as Policeman (uncredited)
The Country Girl
1954 · Movie
as Expressman (uncredited)
Invaders from Mars
1953 · Movie
as Army Sgt. Rinaldi
Donovan's Brain
1953 · Movie
as Station Agent (uncredited)
Flaming Feather
1952 · Movie
The Abbott and Costello Show
1952 · TV Show
as First Workman
Pier 23
1951 · Movie
as Bar Patron (uncredited)
The Secret of Convict Lake
1951 · Movie
as Jack Purcell (uncredited)
The Racket
1951 · Movie
as Durko (uncredited)
Frenchie
1950 · Movie
as Drunk (uncredited)
It Happens Every Spring
1949 · Movie
as Umpire (uncredited)
Flaxy Martin
1949 · Movie
as Charles McMahon
The Red Pony
1949 · Movie
as Bartender
Caught
1949 · Movie
as Projectionist (uncredited)
Reign of Terror
1949 · Movie
as Citizen (uncredited)
Shed No Tears
1948 · Movie
as Second Investigating Detective (Uncredited)
The Sainted Sisters
1948 · Movie
as Townsman (uncredited)
The Miracle of the Bells
1948 · Movie
as Baggage Man
Half Past Midnight
1948 · Movie
as Mike
Tycoon
1947 · Movie
Sinbad the Sailor
1947 · Movie
as Assistant Overseer (uncredited)
Possessed
1947 · Movie
as Man in Café (uncredited)
Dick Tracy vs. Cueball
1946 · Movie
as Bartender (uncredited)
It's a Wonderful Life
1946 · Movie
as Cashier / Nick's Assistant Bouncer (uncredited)
The Truth About Murder
1946 · Movie
as Henchman Mike (uncredited)
That Brennan Girl
1946 · Movie
as Moving Man (uncredited)
Radio Stars on Parade
1945 · Movie
as George
The Lost Weekend
1945 · Movie
as Mike (uncredited)
Fallen Angel
1945 · Movie
as Bartender (uncredited)
Circumstantial Evidence
1945 · Movie
as Truck Driver
A Medal for Benny
1945 · Movie
as Jake (uncredited)
Boss of Boomtown
1944 · Movie
as Sergeant George Dunne
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek
1944 · Movie
as Military Police Driver (uncredited)
Hi, Beautiful
1944 · Movie
as Sailor (uncredited)
Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines
1943 · Movie
as Rudy the Sailor
Matri-Phony
1942 · Movie
as Guard (uncredited)
Overland to Deadwood
1942 · Movie
as Buck
Come on Danger
1942 · Movie
as Tough Guy
The Spoilers
1942 · Movie
as Deputy (uncredited)
Sabotage Squad
1942 · Movie
as Recruiting Sergeant
The Wife Takes a Flyer
1942 · Movie
as Sergeant
Obliging Young Lady
1942 · Movie
as Jack - Diner Counterman (uncredited)
Mexican Spitfire's Elephant
1942 · Movie
as Villa Luigi Headwaiter
Panama Hattie
1942 · Movie
as Jailer (uncredited)
A Night to Remember
1942 · Movie
as Policeman Temple (uncredited)
Moontide
1942 · Movie
as Fisherman (uncredited)
The Palm Beach Story
1942 · Movie
as Tom's Best Man (uncredited)
The Talk of the Town
1942 · Movie
as Moving Man (uncredited)
Ride on Vaquero
1941 · Movie
as Partner
Cyclone on Horseback
1941 · Movie
as Jamison
Texas
1941 · Movie
as Fats Delaney
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
1941 · Movie
as Bartender
The House Across the Bay
1940 · Movie
as Jim
Millionaire Playboy
1940 · Movie
as Highway Patrol Officer
The Man Who Wouldn't Talk
1940 · Movie
as Truck Driver
The Grapes of Wrath
1940 · Movie
as Guard (uncredited)
Charlie Chan in Panama
1940 · Movie
as Soldier
Mexican Spitfire
1940 · Movie
as Headwaiter - Mexican Pete's
Trail of the Vigilantes
1940 · Movie
as Joe
Buck Benny Rides Again
1940 · Movie
as Cowboy
The Bank Dick
1940 · Movie
as Shirtless Ditchdigger (uncredited)
Hired Wife
1940 · Movie
as Streetcar Conductor
They Drive by Night
1940 · Movie
as Sweeney, Driver (uncredited)
Men Against the Sky
1940 · Movie
as Max - Radioman
Lucky Partners
1940 · Movie
as Waiter (uncredited)
The Mad Doctor
1940 · Movie
as Cab Driver (Uncredited)
Rhythm on the River
1940 · Movie
as Cherry's Cabbie
Wildcat Bus
1940 · Movie
as Bus Driver Jackson (uncredited)
The Ghost Breakers
1940 · Movie
as Ship Porter (uncredited)
Pop Always Pays
1940 · Movie
as Bill - Policeman in Car 43
You Can't Fool Your Wife
1940 · Movie
as Burglar
Wings of the Navy
1939 · Movie
as Boss Mechanic
Fast and Loose
1939 · Movie
as Nolan's Henchman (uncredited)
Mr. Moto in Danger Island
1939 · Movie
as Sailor at Wrestling Match
The Return of the Cisco Kid
1939 · Movie
as Brings in Rustler
Fifth Avenue Girl
1939 · Movie
as Policeman (uncredited)
The Girl from Mexico
1939 · Movie
as Headwaiter
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
1939 · Movie
as Thug
Reno
1939 · Movie
as Police Lt. Joe Wilson
The Roaring Twenties
1939 · Movie
as Gangster (uncredited)
The Day the Bookies Wept
1939 · Movie
as Bet Placing Taxi Driver (uncredited)
I'll Tell the World
1939 · Movie
as Salesman
Money to Loan
1939 · Movie
as Hanley's Strong-Arm Man
Our Leading Citizen
1939 · Movie
as Workman
Cafe Society
1939 · Movie
as Guest
Off the Record
1939 · Movie
as Visitor (uncredited)
Scouts to the Rescue
1939 · Movie
as Joe - Truck Driver-Henchman
Born to Be Wild
1938 · Movie
as Jake - Trucker in Cafe (uncredited)
The Arkansas Traveler
1938 · Movie
as Hobo
Maid's Night Out
1938 · Movie
as Sam Johnson - Milk Man (uncredited)
Cocoanut Grove
1938 · Movie
as Brakeman
Tarnished Angel
1938 · Movie
as Tough Casino Decoy
Professor Beware
1938 · Movie
as Chinatown Barker
Little Tough Guys in Society
1938 · Movie
as Guest
Penrod and His Twin Brother
1938 · Movie
as Blackie
Painted Desert
1938 · Movie
as Henchman Kincaid
Submarine Patrol
1938 · Movie
as Marine Corporal (uncredited)
Step Lively, Jeeves!
1937 · Movie
as Joey
Alcatraz Island
1937 · Movie
as Party Guest (uncredited)
God's Country and the Woman
1937 · Movie
as Gus
Many Unhappy Returns
1937 · Movie
as Ernie - Counter Girl's Boyfriend
We Who Are About to Die
1937 · Movie
as Cell Block E Convict (uncredited)
Border Cafe
1937 · Movie
as Shakey
Wings Over Honolulu
1937 · Movie
as Marine
The Great O'Malley
1937 · Movie
as School Bus Driver (uncredited)
Smart Blonde
1937 · Movie
as Chuck Cannon
San Quentin
1937 · Movie
as Prison Runner
Stage Door
1937 · Movie
as Baggage Man (uncredited)
Black Legion
1937 · Movie
as Truck Driver in Diner (uncredited)
You Only Live Once
1937 · Movie
as Dan - Corridor Guard (uncredited)
Love on a Bet
1936 · Movie
as Reporter
The Crime Patrol
1936 · Movie
as Bennie
Walking on Air
1936 · Movie
as Sam, Second Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
Two in Revolt
1936 · Movie
as Davis
Paddy O'Day
1936 · Movie
as Milkman's Helper on Dock
Night Waitress
1936 · Movie
as Diner Trying to Date Helen
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
1936 · Movie
as Pug O'Leary
The Girl from Mandalay
1936 · Movie
as Drunken Brawler
Love Begins at Twenty
1936 · Movie
as Lester - O'Bannion's Driver
Sons o' Guns
1936 · Movie
as Soldier
The Girl on the Front Page
1936 · Movie
as Fireman
Chatterbox
1936 · Movie
as Himself (uncredited)
The House of a Thousand Candles
1936 · Movie
as Henchman
The Big Game
1936 · Movie
as Man Outside Hotel
Bullets or Ballots
1936 · Movie
as Actor Impersonating Kruger in Newsreel (uncredited)
Dancing Pirate
1936 · Movie
as Pirate (uncredited)
Charlie Chan in Shanghai
1935 · Movie
as Taxi Driver Henchman
The Fighting Marines
1935 · Movie
as Gibson
The Miracle Rider
1935 · Movie
as Morley
Dr. Socrates
1935 · Movie
as Gangster
The Daring Young Man
1935 · Movie
as Reporter
Mary Burns, Fugitive
1935 · Movie
as Sailor
3 Kids and a Queen
1935 · Movie
as Reporter
Name the Woman
1934 · Movie
as Reporter
Hell Bent for Love
1934 · Movie
as Ernest Dallas
Gridiron Flash
1934 · Movie
as Convict Football Player
Blind Date
1934 · Movie
as Evans - Bob's Chauffeur
The Personality Kid
1934 · Movie
as Max
Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen
1934 · Movie
as Grip
The Oil Raider
1934 · Movie
as Simmons
The Lost Jungle
1934 · Movie
as Slade
The Lost Jungle
1934 · Movie
as Slade
She Had to Choose
1934 · Movie
as Hold-Up Man
Arizona to Broadway
1933 · Movie
as Pete
Before Dawn
1933 · Movie
as Policeman in Car (uncredited)
Cock of the Air
1932 · Movie
as Military Policeman
The World and the Flesh
1932 · Movie
as Vorobiov
Renegades of the West
1932 · Movie
as Bob
Rockabye
1932 · Movie
as Reporter (uncredited)
The Good Bad Girl
1931 · Movie
as Thug
Suicide Fleet
1931 · Movie
as Radio Operator (uncredited)
The Last of the Vargas
1930 · Movie
Numbered Men
1930 · Movie
as Convict Road Laborer (extra)
Going Wild
1930 · Movie
as Ferguson - Pilot
The Thrill Seekers
1927 · Movie
as A Hood
The Relay
1927 · Movie
as Sophomore
Flashing Oars
1927 · Movie
as Student
The First Auto
1927 · Movie
as Bartender
Making Good
1926 · Movie
as Student
