Let me tell you about Max Gail. You might remember him as the guy who played Detective Stanley "Wojo" Wojciehowicz on the beloved police comedy, Barney Miller. At first, Max wasn’t sure about the show. "I got a call from my agents saying it was a cop show—but a comedy," Max recalls telling Closer. "But, of course, I was in." And boy, was he right. Barney Miller ran for eight seasons from 1975 to 1982, and it wasn’t just about laughs. It tackled real-world issues like racial profiling, social injustice, and the complexities of police work. Max’s character, Wojo, started off as a naive ex-Marine but grew into a seasoned detective with a heart of gold.
Max Gail's Journey Beyond 'Barney Miller'
Fast forward to today, and Max, now 79, continues to thrive in the entertainment world. In 2019 and 2021, he won Daytime Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Mike Corbin, a man battling Alzheimer’s disease, on General Hospital. That’s right—he’s not just a comedy guy. He’s also taken part in online projects during the pandemic, like the short comedy series Viral Vignettes, where he teamed up with Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider. "It was great to use Zoom as a way to bring people together," Max says. He’s clearly embraced the digital age with open arms.
First of all, Max, congratulations on your Daytime Emmy wins! That’s huge!
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“Thanks so much. Winning those awards was such an amazing experience. I really wanted to take the opportunity to emphasize that acting is all about collaboration. It’s not just about one person—it’s about the team.”
So, where do you keep those shiny trophies, Max?
“Believe it or not, they’re actually in their Emmy boxes under the bed! I live in a small bungalow, so space is limited. Plus, honestly, I don’t think I’d want them out on display anyway. They’re special to me, but they’re not something I need to show off.”
Max, you’ve done so much in your career. Did you enjoy working on General Hospital?
“Absolutely. When I first heard about the role, I wasn’t sure if it was something I wanted to dive into, but I’m always open to new opportunities. Once I got into it, I realized it was an incredible character to play. It was challenging and rewarding, and it allowed me to explore a side of acting I hadn’t fully tapped into before.”
How Did Max Gail Get Into Acting?
But let’s rewind for a moment. Max didn’t start out as an actor. His journey to stardom was anything but traditional. "I was actually in San Francisco playing piano in a bar at the Hyatt House," Max explains. "I had just taken the law boards and was thinking about going to law school. Before that, I taught at a private school for a couple of years and even pursued an MBA, though my real focus was on staying out of Vietnam." Life had other plans for Max, though.
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So, how did acting come into the picture, Max?
“It was kind of a twist of fate. They were looking for understudies for a production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. They offered me the part of Chief Bromden, and I ended up playing it for two years before moving to the New York production. It was a game-changer.”
Were you mostly a theater actor back then, Max?
“While I was in San Francisco, I also landed a few small film roles. My first line was in Dirty Harry, where I was part of a group of hoods who accosted Harry in a tunnel. It was a last-minute addition, but it was exciting to be part of such a iconic film.”
The ‘Barney Miller’ Experience
Max, what was it like working on Barney Miller?
“It was like being part of a family. Sure, there were conflicts here and there, but nothing like the power struggles you hear about on other sets. We were all thrilled to be there, and we worked hard to make the show the best it could be. It was a unique environment where we could explore serious topics through comedy.”
