HIS LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

EARLY DAYS Max was born in Detroit but grew up in Grosse Ile, Mich.

BIG SHOW He was 32 when Barney Miller made him a television star. Max also directed some episodes.

TAXI TROUBLE In 1983, he starred in the feature film D.C. Cab, a screwball comedy written and directed by Joel Schumacher. GEE WHIZ On the TV series Whiz Kids, he played a reporter who befriends young computer hackers.

GOOD LIFE In 1990, he and Cindy Williams starred in Normal Life, a comedy based on musician Frank Zappa’s family.

NEW IDEA Sons & Daughters was a unique semi-improvisational comedy series that aired in 2006.

SOAP & GLORY Max’s General Hospital character, Mike Corbin, was supposed to appear on the show for two months. Viewers were so moved by his performance as a man facing dementia that Max remained on the show for two years.