Max Julien
Max Julien | SOUL Newspaper, 1973Today we heard of the passing of Max Julien born July 12, 1933. He was an actor who’s talents challenged the Hollywood depictions of Black Men at the time. Best known for his role as “Goldie” in The Mack, he had roles in Def Jam’s How to Be A Player and television classic The Mod Squad. He also had several writing credits including the screen play for the blaxploitation classic Cleopatra Jones.
In 1973, Julien sat down twice with SOUL. In May for a profile to answer question: Who is Max Julien? and in December with Walter Burrell for an interview to talk about black actors in Hollywood.
The following is an article on Julien printed May 1973 in SOUL Newspaper. For the entire issue or to read the December issue with another article on Julien and Vonetta McGee see the issues at the bottom of the article. SOUL remembers Max Julien.
May 28, 1973
"Max Julien Wears Many Hats"
A day in the life of Max julien may involve putting the finishing touches on a script, directing a scene for a movie, racing a sports car, writing a book, producing a film, or acting a role in a picture. Because this talented actor writer-producer who also sculpts and dabbles in the world of the occult, is one of the busiest young artists to emerge in the last few years. Since making his professional acting debut with the New York Shakespeare Festival after studying at Carnegie Hall's Dramatic Workshop, he has appeared in a number of off-Broadway productions including "The Blacks," has appeared in night clubs as a singer and night club comedian, starred in the stage musical "The Beggar's Opera,'' and captured the attention of the movie industry with his first major film role as the sympathetic militant "Johnny Wells," in Paramount's "Uptight." He has appeared on numerous television shows, including an outstanding performance in "The Time Is Now," a segment of "The Name of the Game," television series.
Max is not one to let any grass grow under his feet and has pursued every avenue of artistic achievement with aggression and success. He is a young man intrigued by what is creatively different and artistically dangerous. As a result of his native curiosity, Max has written several screenplays, including the suspense thriller, "Cleopatra Jones,'' currently being produced at Warner Brothers (where Max maintains an office as co-producer of the film). Though he originally wrote the screenplay with actress Vonetta McGee • in mind for the title role, the lead went to model Tamara Dobson who was discovered after a major nationwide search conducted by Warner Bros. Stars in "The Mack" Max Julien, the actor, has just completed a starring role in ''The Mack,'' an independently produced motion picture to be released shortly by Cinerama.
The film reveals the trials, tribulations, loves and conflicts surrounding a Black man who is forced to flesh peddling by a series of corrupting circumstances beyond his control. Max says of his role, " ... this will be one of the most important films of the year. There has never been a movie like it before. Goldie, the character I portray in the film, has a universality about him that encompasses every type of panderer there is, from the pimp on the ghetto streets or in the big cities to those European title holders who have no money and make their livings off wealthy, lonely, naive women. "I believe there is a real need for the kind of story that's told in "The Mack," they should be put on film, as well as the history of how we as a people have suffered and survived. It is vital that we show how it was, why it was, and most importantly that it can't and will not continue to be the same ... "
Such unrestrained statements and attitudes are the fabric surrounding Max Julien's private and professional life. Created 'Cleo' in Rome He completed his "Cleopatra Jones" script while spending a year living in Rome, experiencing a different level of survival every day. Max Julien's philosophy and strength have helped him weather the storms of frustration that have surrounded his life, both personally and professionally. On April 27th, 1972, tragedy struck Julien's life when his mother was killed by burglars in her Washington, D.C. home. He has managed to survive his grief and has put his energies toward establishing the Cora P. Banks Educational Fund in Washington as a memorial to his late mother.
The loss of his own mother became ironically magnified in his role in "The Mack," when Goldie's mother is also murdered by a band of hoodlums. It was a difficult scene to accomplish, but Max's understanding of the feelings surrounding such a tragedy indeed brought him closer to the reality of the film. Early viewers of "The Mack'' have predicted Academy Award recognition for Max Julien the actor. 'Max says of his acting, " ... it's much broader than just being an 'actor.' I'm into a total creative trip. The reason is simple. It's cathartic. It keeps my head clear. If I didn't have these outlets I'd be in a straitjacket because I'm too aware of the pain in the world, of people being humiliated, of starving children. and bombings and killings. So, if I didn't have it, my constant frustration would become rage. I have chosen to make my contributions to alleviate these frustrations on a different level, a level of understanding and dramatization ... "
He has more recently been negotiating with record producer Buddy Scott to record an album of his own compositions. He would like to someday be ready for '' An Evening With Max Julien" at the Music Center or Carnegie Hall where he could totally release all his creativity on an audience. He would also like to play Hamlet on the stage with a national touring company. Max Julien actor, writer, sculptor. producer, would like to leave his creative mark on the world . . . and at the present rate of his productivity, that mark has already begun to take on incredible dimensions. With such continuing belief in his convictions and a sincere desire to succeed, there is little doubt that Max Julien will rise to the pinnacle of success he so relentlessly seeks in his every endeavor.