Wall, Max

English music-hall comedian. Towards the end of his career he appeared in starring roles as a serious actor, in John Osborne's The Entertainer (1974), in Harold Pinter's The Caretaker (1977), and in Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot (1980). In his solo comedy performances his trademark was an eccentric walk.

Wall was born in London, the son of a Scots comedian, and became a well-known dancer before radio enabled his verbal comedy to reach a wider audience. In the 1950s his career declined dramatically after he left his wife and children.