Max Wagner was born in 1901 in Torreon, Mexico, to William and Edith Wagner. He was the youngest of four brothers. His father was killed during the Mexican Revolution and his mother and him fled to California. They settled in Salinas where Max struck up a friendship with a young John Steinbeck. Edith Wagner is credited for being Steinbeck's first writing coach and Max later served as the inspiration in Steinbeck's "The Red Pony."
By 1924, all of Max's brothers were working in films in Hollywood. Jack Wagner was a gag writer for Max Sennett and Harry Landgon. Blake and Bob Wagner were cameramen for various film shorts, including the "Hall Room Boys" comedies and "Our Gang" pictures.
Max's first film was a Harry Langdon picture. He went on to work in more than 400 films from 1924 through the '70s. He primarily played gangsters and thugs in many Warner Bros. films. His more prominent roles included "The Oil Raider," "The Strange Loves of Martha Ivers," "Radio Stars on Parade," "The Racket," and "Invaders from Mars." He also played bit parts in "The Lost Weekend" and "To Kill a Mockingbird."
He spoke fluent Spanish and often served as a Spanish language coach for many film stars, including Lupe Velez in the "Mexican Spitfire" film series. Using the stage name of Max Baron, he played in featured roles in several Spanish-language films produced by American studios.
By 1924, all of Max's brothers were working in films in Hollywood. Jack Wagner was a gag writer for Max Sennett and Harry Landgon. Blake and Bob Wagner were cameramen for various film shorts, including the "Hall Room Boys" comedies and "Our Gang" pictures.
Max's first film was a Harry Langdon picture. He went on to work in more than 400 films from 1924 through the '70s. He primarily played gangsters and thugs in many Warner Bros. films. His more prominent roles included "The Oil Raider," "The Strange Loves of Martha Ivers," "Radio Stars on Parade," "The Racket," and "Invaders from Mars." He also played bit parts in "The Lost Weekend" and "To Kill a Mockingbird."
He spoke fluent Spanish and often served as a Spanish language coach for many film stars, including Lupe Velez in the "Mexican Spitfire" film series. Using the stage name of Max Baron, he played in featured roles in several Spanish-language films produced by American studios.
