Biography

Max Maxudian

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Born in Smyrne (Turkey), Max Maxudian emigrated to France with his parents in 1893, at the age of twelve. Despite his foreign origins he became a famous theater player in his host country, appearing at the Odeon, at the Grand Guignol, among others. He was often the partner of the illustrious Sarah Bernhardt and he followed her when she decided to make films and to establish the worth of a hitherto despised way of expression. That was the beginning of a long career spanning four decades. Maxudian was a supporting actor in 77 films and his career was interrupted only by World War II, due to his roots.In silent movies and at the beginning of the talkies he was used to playing the villain, most often all the more suspicious as he was foreign-born. In those racist times he was either the dangerous Arab or the greedy Jew, threatening the pure white heroine. He retired in 1950.
- IMDb mini biography by: Guy Bellinger

Max Maxudian was a French stage and film actor.
In 1904, he graduated from the drama department of the Paris Conservatory, where he studied under the famous actor Sylvain at the Comédie Française. He was awarded the first prize in tragedy for his monologue as Tripoule ( from Victor Hugo's The Royal Promenade). The actor's art was characterized by a tragic style of acting, great inner momentum, clear accent, harmony of movement, and sincere performance, thanks to which he was accepted into the Paris Odeon National Theater, where he performed in Molière's "The Greedy", "Tartuffe" and other plays.
He only played supporting roles in film, appearing in nearly 80 silent and sound films between 1912 and 1949, notably as Barras in Abel Gance 's "Napoléon Bonaparte" in 1927, and as the Count of Morlux in Gabriel Rosca 's "Rocambole" in 1932. To recognize him on screen, look for his small goatee and mischievous little eyes.
He played in Sarah Bernhardt's troupe, performing leading roles, and toured Europe and America (1911).
Born in the Ottoman Empire to an Armenian family, Max Maxudian emigrated to France with his parents in 1893 at the age of twelve. Maxudian became a famous theater actor in his adopted country, appearing at the Odéon and at the Grand Guignol.

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