| Max Alexander | |
| Birth Name: | Michael Drelich |
| Birth Date: | 20 August 1953 |
| Birth Place: | U.S. |
| Death Place: | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Medium: | Stand-up, film, television |
| Nationality: | American |
| Active: | 1983–2016 |
Michael Drelich (August 20, 1953 – November 2, 2016), better known by the stage name Max Alexander, was an American stand-up comedian and actor who appeared numerous times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Born on August 20, 1953 on the East Coast, he moved to Los Angeles in his late twenties.[1] In addition to doing stand-up comedy, Alexander also began appearing in supporting appearances on many sitcoms (Full House) and other series (Matlock). Alexander's film credits include supporting roles with stars such as Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Jim Carrey, and Jason Segel, in such films as Roxanne (1987), Punchline (1988), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
He also appeared in Comedy Central's Best of the Improv, Vol. 5 (2003) and Comedy Club Greats with Jerry Seinfeld (2007). In recent years Alexander was frequently in Las Vegas, performing his comedy alongside Tom Jones and others. His last film was Trainwreck (2015). He entertained at the 1989 wedding of Ann-Margret's son Lars, in Las Vegas, He appeared on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon as well.
His stand-up routine focused primarily on his large size, frequently poking fun at his weight. He was known for pulling his pants up to his chest during routines.
In 2008, Alexander was hospitalized with a kidney ailment and needed a transplant to survive. His brother Rabbi Moshe Drelich was the donor.[2] A few weeks after his transplant, Alexander suffered a stroke.[3]
Alexander died on November 2, 2016, from a form of throat cancer, at age 63.[4]
| Film | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | |
| 1983 | Treasure of the Haunted House | Melvin | ||
| 1984 | Garbo Talks | Roger Kellerman | Credited as Maxwell Alexander | |
| 1987 | Roxanne | Dean | ||
| 1988 | Punchline | Mister Ball | ||
| 1990 | Honeymoon Academy | Sack | Alternative title: For Better or For Worse | |
| 1992 | Brain Donors | L.A. stage manager | Alternative title: Lame Ducks | |
| 1998 | A Fare to Remember | |||
| 1999 | Man on the Moon | Harrah's Booker | ||
| 2007 | Stand Up | Leo Stein | ||
| 2008 | Forgetting Sarah Marshall | Big Dracula Head | Credited as Maxwell Alexander | |
| 2015 | Security Rep | |||
| 2015 | Trainwreck | Max the Wheelchair Orderly | ||
| Television | ||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
| 1989 | Full House | Dr. Wynager | 1 episode | |
| 1990 | Out of This World | Older Billy | 1 episode | |
| 1992 | Matlock | Max Sugarman | 1 episode | |
| 1993 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Louis | 1 episode | |
| 1994 | Hart to Hart: Crimes of the Hart | Waiter | Television movie | |
| 1996 | Pearl | Professor Millhouse | 1 episode | |
| 1997 | The Practice | Benjamin Holsten | 2 episodes | |
| 1998 | Hang Time | 1 episode | ||
| 2002 | My Wife and Kids | Bartender | 2 episodes | |