Max Burkholder is a 28-year-old American actor born on November 1, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. He is best known for playing the autism-spectrum character Max Braverman on NBC's Parenthood (2010–2015) and young John Bennett in Peacock's Ted (2024–2026).
Quick Bio Table (2026)
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Maxwell Henry Wolf Burkholder |
| Date of Birth | November 1, 1997 |
| Age (2026) | 28 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (German/English and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage) |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Parents | Scott Burkholder (actor), Kelly Wolf (actress) |
| Siblings | James Burkholder (actor) |
| Education | Campbell Hall School; Harvard University (Class of 2021, dropped out) |
| Relationship Status | Single (no confirmed partner as of 2026) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $3 million (2026) |
| Known For | Parenthood, The Purge, Ted (Peacock) |
Early Life and Family Background
Max Burkholder grew up in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. Being born and raised there gave him an early window into the film and TV industry that most kids simply don't get.
His parents are both former actors. His father, Scott Burkholder, is of German and English descent. His mother, Kelly Wolf, has Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. That dual background shaped Max's identity — he identifies as Jewish.
His brother James is also an actor, making the Burkholder family a genuine acting household. Despite growing up in the spotlight, Max has consistently protected his private life and keeps family details close to his chest.
Education: From Hollywood to Harvard
Max attended Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles, a well-regarded private school popular among children of industry families. His academic record earned him a spot at one of the world's most prestigious universities.
He enrolled at Harvard University as part of the Class of 2021, studying biology. But after just his freshman year, he dropped out to go all-in on acting full-time. The decision paid off — he went on to land a starring role in Ted by 2024.
His Harvard stint still sets him apart. Not many actors can say they got into Harvard and then walked away from it to chase a TV career. That takes a certain kind of confidence.
Acting Career Timeline
2003–2009: The Early Child Actor Years
- 2003 — Film debut in Daddy Day Care alongside Eddie Murphy, playing a character named Max
- 2006 — Appeared in Friends with Money (featuring Jennifer Aniston)
- 2007–2008 — Voiced Chomper in The Land Before Time (Cartoon Network)
- 2007–2008 — Voiced Roo in Disney Channel's My Friends Tigger & Pooh
- 2008 — Voiced "World" in Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Destination: Imagination
- 2005–2009 — Guest voice roles in Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, and American Dad! — all Seth MacFarlane productions
Fun fact: Max has played a character named "Max" five separate times in his career (per IMDb). He also shares a character name (Max) with his real first name — a coincidence that became something of a recurring theme.
2010–2015: Breakthrough on Parenthood
This is the role that launched Max Burkholder into public consciousness. He played Max Braverman, a boy diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, on NBC's Parenthood across all six seasons.
The role demanded extraordinary preparation. Here's how he did it:
- Worked with Wayne Tashjian, a behavioural psychologist hired as a consultant by executive producer Jason Katims
- He and his mother rehearsed scenes privately before filming
- For especially sensitive scenes, a second consultant was brought in to verify accuracy
- The autism community praised his portrayal as genuine and respectful
Jason Katims, who himself has a son with autism, has stated the character was written with meticulous care. Max's performance became so recognized that he often fielded questions from people who genuinely thought he had the disorder himself — a clear sign of how convincing his work was.
2013–2018: Films and Expanding Range
- 2013 — Starred as Charlie Sandin in the horror film The Purge alongside Ethan Hawke
- 2018 — Reprised a flashback role in The First Purge
- 2018 — Portrayed the title character in the Bob Saget-directed black comedy Benjamin
He also appeared in guest roles on CSI: Miami, The O.C., and Grey's Anatomy during this period.
2021–Present: Voice Acting and Ted
- 2021–present — Voice work in the animated series Invincible
- 2024–2026 — Starred as young John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg's character) in Peacock's Ted, the prequel series to the hit film franchise, created by Seth MacFarlane
- 2025 — Guest appearance on Dropout's panel show Smartypants (Season 2)
The Ted role marked a full-circle moment: Max's early voice work was for Seth MacFarlane projects. Now he was leading a MacFarlane live-action series. Season 2 of Ted aired into 2026, keeping Max firmly in the public eye.
Max Burkholder's Height and Physical Appearance
Max Burkholder stands at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm). He has an average build, dark brown eyes, and dark brown hair. His look has always leaned toward the understated — nothing flashy, no dramatic style changes over the years.
He keeps his physical fitness as private as everything else. There are no publicized gym routines or wellness campaigns attached to his name.
Net Worth: How Much Is Max Burkholder Worth in 2026?
Max Burkholder's estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $3 million USD.
His wealth comes from several income streams:
| Source | Contribution |
| Parenthood (6 seasons, NBC) | Major earnings across 2010–2015 |
| Voice acting (Invincible, animated series) | Ongoing residual income |
| The Purge film franchise | Feature film fees |
| Ted (Peacock, 2 seasons) | Leading role salary |
| Guest TV appearances | Supplementary earnings |
He is not a social media monetizer. Unlike many actors his age, Max doesn't run brand deals or sponsored content campaigns. His net worth is built almost entirely on screen work. That's a sign of someone whose income is tied directly to craft, not celebrity.
Girlfriend, Wife, and Relationship Status (2026)
As of 2026, Max Burkholder is reportedly single. He has never publicly confirmed a girlfriend, wife, or romantic partner of any kind.
This is consistent across his entire career. Max has never been photographed publicly with a romantic interest. He has not made any relationship disclosures in interviews. No former partners have come forward publicly.
His discretion is not unusual — it's a deliberate choice. During his Harvard years especially, he stepped away from public life in meaningful ways. That privacy-first approach has continued into his adult career.
He has no children and has never been engaged, according to all available public records.
Parents: Scott Burkholder and Kelly Wolf
Both of Max's parents came from the entertainment world before him.
- Scott Burkholder — Actor of German and English descent
- Kelly Wolf — Actress of Ashkenazi Jewish descent
Having two actor parents gave Max a significant head start. He knew what sets looked like, understood contracts existed, and had parents who could guide him through the industry without getting him exploited. That family structure likely explains why his transition from child actor to adult actor went smoother than most.
You can read more about actors who share this kind of strong family foundation in our piece on Sean Berdy: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Relationships — another actor who navigated a unique identity in Hollywood.
The Autism Representation Legacy
Max Burkholder's portrayal of Max Braverman remains one of the most cited examples of responsible autism representation in TV history.
Here is what made it stand out:
- He worked directly with a behavioural psychologist — not just a creative consultant
- The production used two consultants for sensitive scenes
- The Asperger community responded positively and publicly
- Executive producer Jason Katims brought personal investment to the accuracy of the portrayal
This set a standard. The role is frequently referenced in academic discussions about disability representation in media. Max became, in his own words, "a de facto spokesperson for the Asperger community" during the show's run.
For fans interested in how other actors have handled complex, identity-rich roles in television, check out our profile on Daniel Dae Kim: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Wife.
Max Burkholder vs. Other Former Child Actors: A Comparison
| Actor | Known For | Harvard/College? | Kept Private Life? | Still Active? |
| Max Burkholder | Parenthood, Ted | Harvard (dropped out) | Yes | Yes |
| Elias Harger | Fuller House | Georgia State (2026) | Mostly | Yes |
| Sean Berdy | Switched at Birth | — | Partially | Yes |
Max's path stands out here. He attempted an Ivy League education. He turned down that path to return to acting. And he's done it all without a public meltdown, a controversy, or an overshared Instagram feed. That's genuinely rare.
You can explore similar career trajectories in our profile of Elias Harger: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Girlfriend.
Hobbies and Personal Interests
According to IMDb and public interviews, Max Burkholder's off-screen interests include:
- Baseball
- Tennis
- Karate
- Swimming
- Playing the piano
He also runs a comedic Instagram account called Max 'n' the Jakey Boys — one of the few public glimpses he offers into his personal personality. It suggests someone who is self-aware, low-key funny, and comfortable being goofy outside of serious roles.
2026 Update: What Is Max Burkholder Doing Now?
In 2026, Max Burkholder is most actively associated with:
- Ted (Peacock) — Season 2 aired into 2026, with Max continuing as young John Bennett
- Smartypants (Dropout) — Guest panelist appearance in 2025
- Invincible (voice work) — Ongoing engagement with the animated series
He has not announced a new project beyond Ted as of the date of this article. However, given his trajectory — from child actor to Harvard student to Peacock lead — the next step in his career is one many in the industry are watching.
FAQ: Max Burkholder
Q: How old is Max Burkholder in 2026?
A: Max Burkholder is 28 years old in 2026. He was born on November 1, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. His zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Q: What is Max Burkholder's height?
A: Max Burkholder is 5 feet 6 inches tall, which is approximately 168 centimetres. He has an average build with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.
Q: Does Max Burkholder actually have Asperger syndrome?
A: No. Max Burkholder does not have Asperger syndrome. He portrayed a character with the condition on Parenthood and worked with a behavioural psychologist to ensure authenticity. His performance was so convincing that he frequently had to clarify this in real-world interviews.
Q: Who are Max Burkholder's parents?
A: Max Burkholder's parents are Scott Burkholder, an actor of German and English descent, and Kelly Wolf, an actress of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. Both parents were former actors, which gave Max early exposure to the entertainment industry.
Q: Did Max Burkholder go to Harvard?
A: Yes. Max Burkholder enrolled at Harvard University as part of the Class of 2021, studying biology. He dropped out after his freshman year to pursue acting full-time. His decision led directly to his starring role in Peacock's Ted.
Q: What is Max Burkholder's net worth in 2026?
A: Max Burkholder's estimated net worth is approximately $3 million USD as of 2026. His income comes primarily from his television and film work, including Parenthood, The Purge franchise, and Peacock's Ted.
Q: Does Max Burkholder have a girlfriend or wife in 2026?
A: As of 2026, Max Burkholder is reportedly single. He has never publicly confirmed a romantic partner, girlfriend, or wife. He maintains a strict separation between his professional career and personal life.
Q: What is Max Burkholder doing in 2026?
A: In 2026, Max Burkholder is primarily known for his continuing role as young John Bennett in Season 2 of Peacock's Ted. He also appeared as a guest panellist on Dropout's Smartypants in 2025 and continues voice work on Invincible.
Q: What was Max Burkholder's first acting role?
A: Max Burkholder's first acting role was in the 2003 comedy film Daddy Day Care, where he played a character named Max alongside Eddie Murphy. He was just five or six years old at the time.
Q: Is Max Burkholder related to any other actors?
A: Yes. Both of Max Burkholder's parents — Scott Burkholder and Kelly Wolf — are former actors. His brother James Burkholder is also an actor, making acting a genuine family profession across three members of the household.
References
