Max Alexander

Michael Drelich (August 20, 1953 – November 2, 2016), better known by the stage name Max Alexander, was an American stand-up comedian and actor who appeared numerous times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Biography

Career Born on August 20, 1953 on the East Coast, he moved to Los Angeles in his late twenties. In addition to doing stand-up comedy, Alexander also began appearing in supporting appearances on many sitcoms (Full House) and other series (Matlock). Alexander's film credits include supporting roles with stars such as Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Jim Carrey, and Jason Segel, in such films as Roxanne (1987), Punchline (1988), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

He also appeared in Comedy Central's Best of the Improv, Vol. 5 (2003) and Comedy Club Greats with Jerry Seinfeld (2007). In recent years Alexander was frequently in Las Vegas, performing his comedy alongside Tom Jones and others. He appeared in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 as the "Big Sticky Mess" trade show vendor. His last film was Trainwreck (2015). He entertained at the 1989 wedding of Ann-Margret's son Lars, in Las Vegas, He appeared on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon as well.

His stand-up routine focused primarily on his large size, frequently poking fun at his weight. He was known for pulling his pants up to his chest during routines.

Personal life In 2008, Alexander was hospitalized with a kidney ailment and needed a transplant to survive. His brother Rabbi Moshe Drelich was the donor. A few weeks after his transplant, Alexander suffered a stroke.

Alexander died on November 2, 2016, from a form of throat cancer, at age 63.

Filmography Film Year Film Role Notes 1983 Treasure of the Haunted House Melvin 1984 Garbo Talks Roger Kellerman Credited as Maxwell Alexander 1987 Roxanne Dean 1988 Punchline Mister Ball 1990 Honeymoon Academy Sack Alternative title: For Better or For Worse 1992 Brain Donors L.A. stage manager Alternative title: Lame Ducks 1998 A Fare to Remember 1999 Man on the Moon Harrah's Booker 2007 Stand Up Leo Stein 2008 Forgetting Sarah Marshall Big Dracula Head Credited as Maxwell Alexander 2015 Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 Security Rep ("Big Sticky Mess") Uncredited in film, credited as Max Drelich in SOTA: Trade Show featurette 2015 Trainwreck Max the Wheelchair Orderly Television Year Title Role Notes 1989 Full House Dr. Wynager 1 episode 1990 Out of This World Older Billy 1 episode 1992 Matlock Max Sugarman 1 episode 1993 Doogie Howser, M.D. Louis 1 episode 1994 Hart to Hart: Crimes of the Hart Waiter Television movie 1996 Pearl Professor Millhouse 1 episode 1997 The Practice Benjamin Holsten 2 episodes 1998 Hang Time 1 episode 2002 My Wife and Kids Bartender 2 episodes