Max Wall (1908-1990)

Max Wall, born Maxwell George Lorimer (12th March 1908 - 21st May 1990), was an English comedian and actor, whose performing career covered music hall, theatre, films and television. He is best remembered for his ludicrously attired and hilariously strutting Professor Wallofski. This creation notably influenced John Cleese, who has acknowledged Max Wall's influence on the creation of his own Ministry of Silly Walks sketch for Monty Python. After appearing in many musicals and stage comedies in the 1930s, Wall's career went into decline, and he was reduced to working in obscure nightclubs. He then joined the Royal Air Force during World War II and served for three years until he was invalided out in 1943. Wall re-emerged during the 1950s when producers and directors rediscovered his comic talents, along with the expressive power of his tragic clown face and the distinctive sad falling cadences of his voice. He secured television appearances and, having attracted Samuel Beckett's attention, he won parts in Waiting for Godot and Krapp's Last Tape. In 1966 he appeared as Père Ubu in Jarry's Ubu Roi, and in 1972 he toured with Mott the Hoople on their "Rock n' Roll Circus tour", gaining a new audience. His straight acting gained him this review in 1974: "Max Wall makes Olivier look like an amateur in The Entertainer at Greenwich Theatre...." (The Guardian, 27th November 1974). On the afternoon of 20th May 1990, Wall fell at Simpson's Restaurant in central London, fracturing his skull. He never regained consciousness, and died early the next morning at Westminster Hospital. He was 82. He was buried in Highgate Cemetery. Wall was survived by four sons, Michael, Melvin, Martin and Meredith, and a daughter, Maxine.

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[jeanperiquito]

Is this from channel 4's heroes of comedy series?

Max Wall is a comic genius!!!!!!

[plagalcadenze]

@jeanperiquito YES.

[themanfromwem]

thank you for an excellent upload, so poignant, yiours, Howard

[jnmklo9]

Max Wall was so very good and I laugh still even though I've seen some of these sketches ten times before which can only mean his comic timing is perfect

[jesusonamotorbike]

this is what youtube is all about - sharing this not quite forgotten genius

[jswain44]

wow being from usa never heard of max but he is great and just looking at his act can tell he influenced a lot of our comedians over here.Those old vauldville comedians could do it all and toured with mott the hoople !! would have loved to been able to go to one of his shows must have been fantastic

[DoctorMeatDic]

Max Wall's the name.....tsk tsktiititsk tisks

What is this?

MAX WALL!!!

[davidgrahamscott]

A TRUE HERO OF COMEDY!!

[smcnicoll]

Britain's Keaton.

[Guvna07]

Seemed like a nice fella .... RIP ..... Bloody great dancer!

[kingbleah]

rest in peace max

[sturdle]

love this