ABOUT THIS FEATURE
Rooted in Ohio profiles interesting people who have grown up or lived in Ohio and have gone on to make a name for themselves around the country or around the globe. If you know of someone worthy of being highlighted, send an e-mail to Life@CoxInc.com and include “Rooted in Ohio idea” in the message subject line.
The suspenseful opening minutes of this summer’s action movie hit “The Amazing Spider-Man,” in which a young, unassuming and wide-eyed Peter Parker discovers his home in disarray and is mysteriously separated from his parents, indelibly belongs to 9-year-old Oakwood native Max Charles.
Appearing alongside Sally Field as Parker’s Aunt May and Dayton native Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben, Max’s first foray into the world of Hollywood blockbusters is the biggest break so far in his developing career. Since arriving with his family in Los Angeles in 2009 by way of Nashville, he has received roles in TV shows (“Community,” “Hot in Cleveland,” “Jessie,” “Raising Hope,” “True Blood”), TV movies (Hallmark Hall of Fame’s “November Christmas”) and was particularly notable as Peezer in the recent reboot of “The Three Stooges” directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly (“Dumb and Dumber,” “There’s Something About Mary”).
“It was always my dream to be Spider-Man,” Max said. “When I was 2 years old I dressed up as Spider-Man for Halloween. And it’s great to grow up and have the chance to be Spider-Man. I had no idea I was going to be in the opening scene. I really enjoy being an actor. I sing also, but it is fun being an actor and go different places and meet different people. Andrew Garfield (who starred as the older Peter Parker) is a really nice guy.”
“Since he was 3 years old Max showed an interest in acting,” said Kettering resident Helen Longo, Max’s grandmother. “In kindergarten he told his classmates that he was going to Hollywood to be a movie star, which was funny. There was no thought as to whether or not that would be a possibility. For only being in California for three years, Max is certainly doing a lot. His relatives and friends are very proud of him.”
Charles, the youngest of Angela and Jerry Charles’ four boys, wasn’t supposed to launch his career so soon. His family, who left the Dayton area in 2007 when Jerry accepted a position in Tennessee, originally moved to Los Angeles to advance Max’s oldest brother Logan’s acting pursuits. Logan participated in the 2009 iShine national tour and has been cast in a few commercials and guest spots, but Max’s endeavors have been more fruitful of late.
Longo has seen his performances and work ethic up close (she visited the Nova Scotia set of “November Christmas” and the Atlanta set of “The Three Stooges”) and remains impressed with his professionalism at such a young age.
“I love watching Max work,” she said. “He follows direction so well. He can walk into a room full of producers and go from one to the other shaking hands and greeting them. He’s like a little man. Everybody that meets him says he’s a 21-year-old in a 9-year-old body.”
Max will soon be seen weekly as Max Weaver in ABC’s new sci-fi sitcom “The Neighbors,” the story of a New Jersey family who moves to a gated community filled with aliens. Starring Jami Gertz (“Still Standing”) and written by Dan Fogelman (“Cars,” “Tangled,” “Crazy, Stupid, Love”), “The Neighbors” premieres Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m. following “Modern Family” before settling into its regular Wednesday slot at 8:30 p.m. prior to “Modern Family.”
“There’s no other show like (‘The Neighbors’),” he said. “It’s a very funny show. The aliens cry out of their ears instead of their eyes. It’s like green goop.”
Max will also voice the role of Sherman in DreamWorks Animation’s “Mr. Peabody & Sherman,” directed by Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King”) and co-starring Emmy winner Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”) voicing Mr. Peabody. The film is slated for a 2013 release.
He offers sound advice for young and old alike who might want to follow in his footsteps.
“If you’re dreaming to become an actor, just believe in it and go for it. Try to follow your dreams.”
About the Author