Max Gail

Although he has worked constantly in both television and film over a span of 40 years, actor Max Gail is, and probably always will be, remembered mostly for his role as the loveable Detective Stan Wojciehowicz on the classic '70s cop sitcom "Barney Miller." Gail got his big break in 1970 when he originated the role of Chief Bromden in the original stage version of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," which played in both San Francisco and New York. The "Barney Miller" gig came in 1975, relatively early in his career. He played the big-hearted but oafish Detective 'Wojo' in perfect balance with Abe Vigoda's burnt-out, elder 'Fish'. After the show was retired in 1983 Gail jumped over to film, starring in the cult classic action comedy "D.C. Cab." Although he kept busy throughout the '80s, he wouldn't see another regular role on a TV series until 1990, with "Normal Life," co-starring real-life siblings Dweezil and Moon Unit Zappa. Since then Gail has starred in dozens of TV movies and feature films including "Chicago Hope," "Judging Amy," and "Sons and Daughters," and even did a turn as himself on the hit HBO series "Entourage." He delivered another standout performance as Gary's eccentric father in the short-lived but well-cast comedy "Gary Unmarried" in 2008. Gail also runs Full Circle, a production company that creates documentaries on social and political issues.