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Max Gail, after spending the majority of his formative years trying to “make sense” of the world around him, began acting at the age of 27 in a number of small supporting roles in television shows and movies. He explains that he had never really thought about being a celebrity, but that notion flew out the door after gaining notoriety while portraying what is likely known to be his most notorious role: Detective “Wojo” Wojciehowicz on ABC’s hit sitcom, Barney Miller. Many believe that, unlike most other cop shows of its time, the hit-running show portrayed a more factual representation of community policing with just enough wit and comedic relief. Max portrayed the fun-loving “Wojo” for 8 seasons until the show went off the air in 1982.
Unsurprisingly, given the generation in which he was raised, he has always had a passion for and interest in environmental and social activism, for which he believes influenced much of his on-screen and on-stage work. Within a few short years after the conclusion of Barney Miller, Max decided to step back from his acting career to care for his young daughter after his wife lost her battle with cancer. After later remarrying and beginning to grow his family with more children, he decided it was time to return more prominently to his acting career. That decision was short-lived though, as he quickly noticed a shift that occurred in the industry during his absence, and decided that that was no longer his path. Again, deciding to take a step back from acting, and instead exploring his interest in activism; returning to his roots which were heavily influenced by world activist movements.
During this time, he founded LAP – Local Access Places (www.lap.org). The acronym itself took on many different meanings and metaphors, but the philosophy of the organization, stewed deep in the heart of his passion for social activism, was that being one as a community and society is stronger than the concept of individualism. The goal of the organization was to promote dialogue, through collaboration and integration, that brings people together because while each individual/group/culture is their own, they are more the same than one may think. Max still profoundly believes in this philosophy, and actively tries to spread this belief throughout communities, only now, instead of speaking on the topic during seminars, he has returned to acting, taking on roles that help create a dialogue for a number of issues.
Most recently, Max has taken on the award-winning role of Mike Corbin, the father of the long-term protagonist, Sonny Corinthos on ABC’s General Hospital. For more than 55 years, the soap opera has been taking its viewers on a rollercoaster of stories and plot twists, some a bit more suited for the drama while others depict real-life social problems and solutions, as is the case with Gail’s depiction of an individual succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease. With the significant and growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, this storyline and the portrayal of these characters have resonated with so many people who are also going through the same or at least similar struggles each day.
“Activism has always been heavily prominent throughout my life – something I have always been truly passionate about, and I am proud to be able to continue on this journey as a Project Lifesaver Ambassador, to open communications about the dangers of wandering.”