Max Kleven
Biography
Maxwell J. Kleven was an American actor, stuntman, and assistant director. Born in the United States on August 16, 1933, he was also known by the names Max Kleven, Max Kelvin, and Ma. His professional career included sixty-three known credits within the film and television industries, categorized under crew roles. He passed away on June 3, 2026, at the age of ninety-two.
Career overview
Max Kleven was an American actor, stuntman, and assistant director whose career encompassed sixty-three known credits in film and television. Born in the United States on August 16, 1933, Kleven worked primarily behind the scenes as a crew member, contributing his talents to the motion picture and television industries. Throughout his professional life, he was also known by the alternative names Max J. Kleven, Max Kelvin, and Ma.
Kleven's involvement in the entertainment industry spanned multiple disciplines, allowing him to work in physical performance as a stuntman as well as in dramatic performance as an actor and in organizational roles as an assistant director. His extensive portfolio of sixty-three known credits reflects a sustained presence in film and television production.
Max Kleven passed away on June 3, 2026, at the age of ninety-two. His career as an American actor, stuntman, and assistant director remains documented through his extensive database of known credits within the film and television industry.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
79 titles- Slumber Party Slaughter (2012) as Sherif Bowden
- A Stuntman for All Seasons: A Tribute to Bennie Dobbins (2004) as Self
- Footloose: A Modern Musical (2004) as Self
- Broken (2000) Stunts
- Return to the Arena: The Making of 'Rollerball' (2000) as Self
- Wild Wild West (1999) Stunts
- Almost Heroes (1998) Stunt Coordinator
- Poodle Springs (1998) Stunts
- The Hunted (1998) Director
- Bean (1997) Stunts
- Species (1995) Stunt Coordinator
- The River Wild (1994) Stunt Coordinator
- The River Wild (1994) Second Unit Director
- Death Becomes Her (1992) Second Unit Director
- Back to the Future Part III (1990) Second Unit Director
- Back to the Future Part II (1989) Second Unit Director
- Blind Fury (1989) Second Unit Director
- Bail Out (1989) Director
- Bail Out (1989) Writer
- Bail Out (1989) Producer
- Vice Versa (1988) Stunt Coordinator
- Vice Versa (1988) Second Unit Director
- Deadly Stranger (1988) Director
- Deadly Stranger (1988) Writer
- Deadly Stranger (1988) Producer
- The Night Stalker (1987) Director
- Walk Like a Man (1987) Stunt Coordinator
- Ruthless People (1986) Stunts
- Back to the Future (1985) Stunts
- Runaway Train (1985) Second Unit Director
- The Man with One Red Shoe (1985) Second Unit Director
- My Science Project (1985) Stunts
- Footloose (1984) Stunt Coordinator
- Happy Birthday to Me (1981) Stunt Coordinator
- Southern Comfort (1981) Stunts
- Ruckus (1981) Director
- Ruckus (1981) Screenplay
- Lovely But Deadly (1981) Stunts
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Graham
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Shipley
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) as Thug
- Superstunt II (1979) Director
- Damien - Omen II (1978) Stunt Coordinator
- Crisis in Sun Valley (1978) as Adler
- Superstunt (1977) as Self
- Fire! (1977) Stunt Coordinator
- Fire Sale (1977) Second Unit Director
- The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox (1976) Second Unit Director
- Hard Times (1975) as Pool Player
- Hard Times (1975) Stunt Coordinator
- Rollerball (1975) Stunt Coordinator
- Melvin Purvis G-Man (1975) as Purvis' Driver
- The Kansas City Massacre (1975) as Parker
- The Kansas City Massacre (1975) Stunt Coordinator
- Zandy's Bride (1974) Stunts
- Three Tough Guys (1974)
- 99 and 44/100% Dead (1974) as North
- 99 and 44/100% Dead (1974) Stunt Coordinator
- Charley Varrick (1973) Stunts
- Going Home (1971) Action Director
- The Good Guys and the Bad Guys (1969) Stunts
- Mannix (1967)
- Mannix (1967) as Chauffeur
- The Invaders (1967) as Guard
- The Perils of Pauline (1967) Stunt Coordinator
- Star Trek (1966) as Maximus
- Mission: Impossible (1966) as The Attendant
- Mission: Impossible (1966) as Guard
- Our Man Flint (1966) Stunts
- Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966) as Sandy Newman
- Murderers' Row (1966) as Fortress Guard (uncredited)
- Murderers' Row (1966) Stunts
- Get Smart (1965) as Otto
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Reynolds
- The Big Valley (1965) as Dave Williams
- Combat! (1962) as German Lt.
- The Hard Man (1957) as Townsman (uncredited)
- Around the World in 80 Days (1956) as Extra (uncredited)
- Around the World in 80 Days (1956) Stunts
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Max Kleven best known for?
Max Kleven is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Wild Wild West (1999), Poodle Springs (1998), Bean (1997), Species (1995).
When and where was Max Kleven born?
Max Kleven was born on August 16, 1933 in United States. They passed away on June 3, 2026.
How many credits does Max Kleven have?
Max Kleven has accumulated over 79 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1956 to 2012.
What is Max Kleven's background in cinema and television?
Maxwell J. Kleven was an American actor, stuntman, and assistant director. Born in the United States on August 16, 1933, he was also known by the names Max Kleven, Max Kelvin, and Ma. His professional career included sixty-three known credits within the film and television industries, categorized under crew roles. He p...