Max Julien (1934-2022) American Actor
Max Julien (1934-2022) American Actor dies at 1 January 2022 (88 years)
Name | Max Julien |
Full Name | Maxwell Banks |
Age | 88 Years |
Birth | 1934 |
Birthplace | Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA |
Death | 1 January 2022 |
Deathplace | Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA |
Profession | Singer and Actor |
Spouse | Innocence (Married 2006–2009) |
Genres | Classical crossover, opera, romantic |
Parents | Magdalena Menchero, Carlos Marín |
Burial | Burial Details Unknown |
Nationality | Spanish |
Max Julien was an American Actor (1934-2022)
Maxwell Banks, Julien was a classically trained actor, and began his career performing in off-Broadway productions around New York City before moving on to acting, writing and producing films. His largest role, Goldie in “The Mack,” was an ex-con who becomes a big-time pimp in Oakland (with the help of Slim, Richard Pryor’s character) after he’s released from prison.
A young Richard Pryor plays Goldie’s sidekick, Slim, in one of his early film roles before the comedian became a major Hollywood star. The actor also wrote and produced iconic film series Cleopatra Jones in the 1970s His other acting credits included Psych-Out (with Jack Nicholson), Getting Straight (with Candice Bergen), The Black Klansman, Thomasine & Bushrod (which he also wrote), Def Jam’s How to Be a Player, The Mod Squad, The Bold Ones: The Protectors and One on One.
Critics
For his performance in 1968’s Up Tight!, New York Times movie critic Judith Crist stated that Julien was, “a standout in a standout cast.” Raoul Gripenwaldt from The Santa Monica Evening Outlook wrote, “Max Julien’s portrayal of Johnny Wells in Paramount’s Uptight could very well result in an Academy Award.” The Hollywood Reporter chimed in, “Max Julien creates a memorable piece of reality.” As a reward, Julien was invited to Europe to discuss film possibilities.
In popular culture
Curren$y’s 2012 mixtape “Priest Andretti” features a song named after the actor, produced by Beat Butcha. The New Orleans rapper also mentions Max Julien in his song, “What’s What,” off of his 2011 album Weekend at Burnie’s.
Many rappers have sampled his voice from The Mack, including Craig Mack, Lloyd Banks, Gangrene, Big K.R.I.T. and Do or Die. Multiple R&B, hip-hop and rock artists (i.e., Too Short, Rappin’ 4-Tay, P. Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock) admittedly fashioned their images after Julien’s character from the film.
Julien appeared as “Goldie” in an episode of UPN’s One on One.
Personal life and death
Julien crossed through the Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi at Howard University on the December 4, 1954.[citation needed] Max Julien (1934-2022) American Actor
Julien was in a live-in relationship with actress Vonetta McGee from 1974 to 1977. McGee appeared with him in the 1974 western action film Thomasine & Bushrod, which was intended as a counterpart to the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. He married Arabella Chavers in 1991. The couple resided in Los Angeles. He died on January 1, 2022, at the age of 88.