Max Alexander (comedian)

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.

Max Alexander
Birth nameMichael Drelich
Born(1953-08-20)August 20, 1953
U.S.
DiedNovember 2, 2016(2016-11-02) (aged 63)
New York City, New York, U.S.
MediumStand-up, film, television
NationalityAmerican
Years active1983–2016

Biography

Career

Born on August 20, 1953[1] on the East Coast, he moved to Los Angeles in his late twenties. 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, constantly poking fun at his weight. He was known for pulling his pants up to his chest during his routines.

Personal life

In 2008, Alexander was hospitalized with a kidney ailment and needed a transplant to survive. His brother Rabbi Moshe Drelich was the one who donated it.[2] A few weeks after his transplant, Alexander suffered a stroke.[3]

Alexander died on November 2, 2016, from a form of throat cancer. He was just 63 years old.[4]

Filmography
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 Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 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

References
  1. "Person Details for Max Alexander, "United States Public Records, 1970-2009" — FamilySearch.org". familysearch.org. Archived from the original on 2016-11-04.
  2. Judd, N. Clark (2008-07-10). "Heard the one about the rabbi's kidney? It's no joke". The Riverdale Press. Archived from the original on 2008-09-16. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  3. "Comedy Headliners Salute Max Alexander". comedytothemax.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-24. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  4. Comedian Max Alexander, who appeared in 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall,' 'Trainwreck,' dies


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