Max Gail

Max Maxwell Trowbridge Gail Jr. was born on April 5, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, and raised on the neighboring island of Grosse Ile, where his parents Mary Elizabeth and businessman Maxwell Trowbridge Gail Sr. nurtured a supportive household. He is a twin, sharing his birth with sister Mary Gail, who also pursued acting, and he grew up alongside another sister, Emily T. Gail. After completing a Bachelor of Arts at Williams College, he earned an MBA from the University of Michigan, a rare academic combination for a future thespian. Gail initially worked as an instructor at the University Liggett School before making his professional stage debut in 1970 as Chief Bromden in the original production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at San Francisco’s Little Fox Theatre, later reprising the role on Broadway in 1973. His breakthrough came in 1975 when he was cast as Detective Stan “Wojo” Wojciehowicz on the acclaimed sitcom Barney Miller, a role that earned him two consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations and allowed him to direct several episodes of the series. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s he built a diverse film and television résumé, appearing in movies such as D.C. Cab and 42, and guest‑starring on series ranging from Murder, She Wrote to The Drew Carey Show. In addition to acting, Gail founded the production company Full Circle, creating documentaries on topics like Agent Orange and nuclear issues, reflecting his long‑standing commitment to social advocacy. His later career was highlighted by a recast as Mike Corbin on the soap opera General Hospital, earning Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2019 and 2021. Despite personal losses, including the death of his first wife Willie Beir, Gail has remained active in the industry and continues to influence both stage and screen, marking more than five decades of artistic contribution.