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Maxwell Caulfield

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This article is about the actor Maxwell Caulfield. For the character from the video game Life is Strange, see Max Caulfield.

Maxwell Caulfield
Caulfield in 2010
Born
Maxwell P.J. Newby

(1959-11-23) 23 November 1959 (age 65)
Belper, Derbyshire, England
Other namesMaxwell Findlater
OccupationActor
Years active1967–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1980)​

Maxwell Caulfield (born Maxwell P.J. Newby; 23 November 1959) is a British actor. He has appeared in Grease 2 (1982), Electric Dreams (1984), The Boys Next Door (1985), The Supernaturals (1986), Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1989), Waxwork 2 (1992), Gettysburg (1993), Empire Records (1995), The Real Blonde (1997), The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997), and in A Prince for Christmas (2015). In 2015, Caulfield toured Australia with his wife Juliet Mills and sister-in-law Hayley Mills in the comedy Legends! by Pulitzer Prize winner James Kirkwood. He voiced James Bond in the video game James Bond 007: Nightfire (2002). He most recently stars in the Netflix movie The Merry Gentlemen (2024).

Early life

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Maxwell P.J. Newby was born on 23 November 1959 in Belper, Derbyshire, the elder son of Peter Newby and Oriole Rosalind Findlater.[1] His younger brother, Marcus, is also an actor.[2] By 1965, his parents had parted and his mother legally abandoned the surname Newby in favour of her maiden name. Although he did not work regularly as a child actor, at the age of seven he played "Ted" in the 1967 film Accident and was billed as Maxwell Findlater.[3][4]

Caulfield's American stepfather reportedly kicked him out of the house at the age of 15. Caulfield became an exotic dancer at London's Windmill Theatre to obtain an Equity card enabling him to work as an actor.[5]

Theatre

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After obtaining a green card,[6] he made his New York City debut in Hot Rock Hotel (1978) after moving from the UK to the United States, and the following year made his stage debut in Class Enemy (1979), in which he played the lead role; he won a Theatre World Award for his performance.[7] He made his Los Angeles debut in Hitting Town (1980) and appeared in The Elephant Man (1980) that same year, during which he met his future wife, actress Juliet Mills.[7]

In the early 1980s, Caulfield was an active member of the Mirror Repertory Company, part of The Mirror Theater Ltd, performing in numerous repertory productions including Paradise Lost,[8] Rain, Inheritors and The Hasty Heart.[9] He made his debut Off-Broadway in 1981 as the title character, a homicidal drifter, in Joe Orton's Entertaining Mr. Sloane (alongside Joseph Maher and Barbara Bryne). His performance was widely praised; one critic wrote:

"Maxwell Caulfield is the ideal spider in the web", wrote one critic, saying he [Caulfield] was "as disarming of himself as he is of others – which gives this revival that tragic tinge of great comedy."[3][10]

Caulfield made his Broadway debut in J. B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls opposite Siân Phillips.[3] He appeared with Jessica Tandy and Elizabeth Wilson in Salonika at the Public Theater in New York, appearing fully nude for much of the play,[11] and in Joe Orton's black comedy Loot at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.[7] In 2006, Caulfield drew attention over his bare-chested scene in the Off-Broadway two-hander Tryst, opposite Amelia Campbell. In 2007, he performed in the Charles Busch play Our Leading Lady with Kate Mulgrew.[11]

In 2007, Caulfield made his West End stage debut as Billy Flynn in the long-running London production of Chicago; he then resumed the role of Flynn for the Broadway production in November 2007.[12] In 2011, he appeared in an Off-Broadway production of the comedy Cactus Flower.[13]

On Sunday 14th April 2024, Caulfield appeared in the 10th Anniversary Concert of Cool Rider (the Greasiest Sequel) at the London Palladium, this time assuming the role of Mr Stuart and taking on the song 'Reproduction'.

Television

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Caulfield has appeared on Dynasty (1985–1986), The Colbys (1985–1987), Murder, She Wrote (1988–1991), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990), The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best (1996), Spider-Man (1995–1998), Casualty (2003–2004), Emmerdale (2009–2010) and NCIS (2013). He guest-starred on Modern Family (Season 4, Episode 16, "Bad Hair Day") playing Claire's ex-boyfriend and college professor.[14]

Personal life

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Caulfield has been married since 1980 to actress Juliet Mills, daughter of actor Sir John Mills and writer Lady Mills (née Mary Hayley Bell), and is a brother-in-law of Jonathan Mills and actress Hayley Mills. Caulfield is stepfather to Melissa (née Miklenda; Mills' daughter from her second marriage) and Sean Caulfield (born Sean Alquist; Mills' son from her first marriage).[15][3]

He became a naturalized United States citizen on 5 September 1991.[4]

Stage credits

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Year Title Role Theatre
1978 Hot Rock Hotel Demetrius Truck and Warehouse Theatre, New York City
1979 Class Enemy Iron (Herron) Off-Broadway: Players' Theatre, West Village, New York City
1980 The Elephant Man John Merrick Florida tour
1980 Hitting Town Ralph Zephyr Theatre, Los Angeles
1980 Crimes and Dreams Frazer Off-Broadway: Theater Four, New York City
1981–1982 Entertaining Mr Sloane Sloane Off-Broadway: Cherry Lane Theatre, New York City
1982 Journey's End Captain Stanhope Cast Theatre, Los Angeles
1983 1984 Winston Smith Cast Theatre, Los Angeles
1983 Paradise Lost Ben Gordon Theatre at St. Peters Church, New York City
1983 Inheritors Horace Theatre at St. Peters Church, New York City
1985 Salonika Peter Off-Broadway: The Public Theater, New York City
1987 Loot Dennis Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles
1987 Entertaining Mr Sloane Sloane Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles
1988 Sleuth Milo Tindle US National Tour
1991 Never the Sinner Richard Loeb Citadel Theatre, Edmonton (Canada)
1995 An Inspector Calls Gerald Croft Broadway: Royale Theatre, New York City
1995 Sweet Bird of Youth Chance Wayne Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown, Massachusetts
1997 My Night with Reg John Off-Broadway: INTAR Theatre, New York City
1998 Dial M for Murder Cape Cod Playhouse, Dennis, Massachusetts
2002 He Hunts Duchotel Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles
2006 Tryst George Love Off-Broadway: Promenade Theatre, New York City
2006 My Deah Gator Hedgepeth Off-Broadway: June Havoc Theatre, New York City
2007 Our Leading Lady Harry Hawk Off-Broadway: New York City Center - Stage II, New York City
2007 La Cage aux Folles Georges Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, Maine
2007 Chicago Billy Flynn West End: Cambridge Theatre, London
2007 Chicago Billy Flynn Broadway: Ambassador Theatre, New York City
2008 A Little Night Music Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm Center Stage, Baltimore
2010 Bedroom Farce Nick UK national tour
2010 The Rocky Horror Show The Narrator UK national tour
2011 Cactus Flower Dr. Julian Winston Off-Broadway: Westside Theatre, New York City
2013–2014 Singin' in the Rain R.F. Simpson UK national tour
2015 The Odd Couple Felix Ungar Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach, California
2015 Legends! Klemmer Australian tour
2015 My Fair Lady Henry Higgins Atwood Concert Hall, Anchorage, Alaska
2016 Guys and Dolls Nathan Detroit UK national tour
2018 Hangmen Albert Off-Broadway: Linda Gross Theater, New York City
2019 The Lady Vanishes Dr. Hartz UK national tour
2024 Cool Rider Mr Stuart London Palladium

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1967 Accident Ted Credited as Maxwell Findlater
1982 Grease 2 Michael Carrington
1984 Electric Dreams Bill
1985 The Boys Next Door Roy Tomas Alston
1986 The Supernaturals Pvt. Ray Ellis
1989 Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat Shane
Mind Games Eric Garrison
1990 Fatal Sky George Abbott
1992 Exiled in America Joe Moore
Animal Instincts David Cole
Dance with Death Shaughnessy
Waxwork 2 Mickey
1993 No Escape No Return William Robert Sloan
Gettysburg Col. Strong Vincent
Calendar Girl Man in Bathrobe
Midnight Witness Garland
Alien Intruder Nick Mancuzo
1995 Empire Records Rex Manning
1996 Prey of the Jaguar Derek Leigh / The Jaguar
Oblivion 2: Backlash Sweeney
1997 Divine Lovers Jeff Thompson
The Man Who Knew Too Little British Agent
The Real Blonde Bob
1999 More to Love Barry Gordon
Smut Unfinished
Dazzle Tom
2000 Submerged Jim Carpenter
The Perfect Tenant Daniel Summer
Overnight Sensation Mark Connor
2001 The Hit Keith
Facing the Enemy Harlan Moss
2004 Dragon Storm Silas
2006 Dog Lover's Symphony Tom
2007 Nightmare City 2035 Alex McDowell
Cry of the Winged Serpent Griffin
2009 Dire Wolf Sheriff Parker
2013 The Right Regrets Chris Wickham Short film
2015 Those Who Wander Rex
2016 The Tormentors Rob Turner
2020 Axcellerator Ray Moritz
2022 Butlers in Love Mr. Willoughby
Love Accidentally Craig
2023 7000 Miles Bert
Craft Me a Romance Alfred
2024 The Merry Gentlemen Danny

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1980 Ryan's Hope Punk 4 episodes
1983 Journey's End Captain Stanhope TV movie
The Powers of Matthew Star Scotty Ferguson Episode: "Starr Knight"
1984 The Parade Jeff TV movie
1985–1986 Dynasty Miles Colby 9 episodes
1985–1987 The Colbys 49 episodes
1987 Hotel Alex Morrison Episode: "Pitfalls"
1988–1991 Murder, She Wrote Derek Padley/Roger Travis 2 episodes
1989 Judith Krantz's Till We Meet Again Alain Marais TV miniseries
1990 Counterstrike Van Gelder Episode: "Regal Connection"
Monsters Timothy Danforth Episode: "Cellmates"
Beverly Hills, 90210 Jason Croft Episode: "Class of Beverly Hills"
Blue Bayou Phil Serulla TV movie
1991 Dynasty: The Reunion Miles Colby Miniseries
1994 Sirens Maxwell Caulfield Episode: "Crossing the Line"
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Andrew Strauss / David Lewis 2 episodes
1995–1998 Spider-Man: The Animated Series Alistair Smythe / Ultimate Spider Slayer (voice) 19 episodes
1996 The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best Ian Levin TV movie
The Lazarus Man General Custer Episode: "The Boy General"
1996–1997 All My Children Pierce Riley
1998 Love Boat: The Next Wave Armand Episode: "True Course"
Mike Hammer, Private Eye Tony Berelli Episode: "The Maya Connection"
Veronica's Closet Brian Episode: "Veronica's Bridal Shower"
1999 The Nanny Rodney Pembroke Episode: "The Fran in the Mirror"
2000 Son of the Beach Stevens Episode: "A Star is Boned"
La Femme Nikita Helmut Volker 2 episodes
Missing Pieces Stuart TV movie
2000–2001 Strip Mall Rafe Barrett 22 episodes
2003–2004 Casualty Jim Brodie 58 episodes
2004 Holby City Jim Brodie Episode: "Casualty @ Holby City: Part 2"
2006 The Great San Francisco Earthquake Mayor Schmitz TV movie
2009–10 Emmerdale Mark Wylde 169 episodes
2013 NCIS Dr. Madison Fielding Episode: "Revenge"
Modern Family Professor Cooke Episode: "Bad Hair Day"
DeVanity Richard DeVanity 2 episodes
2015 A Prince for Christmas King of Balemont TV movie
I'm Not Ready for Christmas Greydon DuPois
Castle Sir Ian Rasher Episode: "The Wrong Stuff"
2021 Lost & Found in Rome Howard Thorndyke TV movie
2021 American Horror Story: Double Feature Dwight's Friend #1 Episode: "Take Me to Your Leader"
2022 Pam & Tommy Bob Guccione Episode 5: "Uncle Jim and Aunt Susie In Duluth"
2023 The Bay Sir Thomas Kenway 7 episodes

Audiobook narrations

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Video games

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Discography

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  • 1982: "Charades" on the Grease 2 soundtrack (as Michael Carrington)
  • 1982: "(Love Will) Turn Back the Hands of Time" with Michelle Pfeiffer on the Grease 2 soundtrack
  • 1982: "Who's That Guy?" with Cast on the Grease 2 soundtrack
  • 1982: "Reproduction" with Cast on the Grease 2 soundtrack
  • 1982: "Rock-A-Hula-Luau (Summer Is Coming)" with Cast on the Grease 2 soundtrack
  • 1982: "We'll Be Together" with Cast on the Grease 2 soundtrack
  • 1995: "Say No More (Mon Amore)" in Alan Moyle's Empire Records (as Rex Manning)

Awards and nominations

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References

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  1. ^ "Index entry (Maxwell PJ Newby)". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Index entry (Marcus RT Newby)". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Panarello, Joseph F., "Maxwell Caulfield Bares His Soul", Broadwayworld.com, 18 April 2006.
  4. ^ a b Court District: Central District of California, Court Place: Los Angeles, California (Petition Number: 00893343)
  5. ^ Interview, scotsman.com. Accessed 11 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Superiorpics.com". Superiorpics.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  7. ^ a b c Celebrity Profiles, Maxwell Caulfield in SuperiorPics. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  8. ^ "Actors Sabra Jones and Maxwell Caulfield in a Scene from the Mirror Repertory Theatre Production of the Play "Paradise Lost" (New York), Digital Public Library of America, Digital Public Library of America. 12 January 1983.
  9. ^ Bennetts, Leslie. "REPERTORY COMPANY BLOSSOMS", The New York Times, 26 June 1984. Web. 13 January 2017.
  10. ^ Review of Entertaining Mr. Sloane, The New York Times, 4 September 1981.
  11. ^ a b Maxwell Caulfield at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
  12. ^ Chicago, Broadway.com [website], "Maxwell Caulfield, Jeff McCarthy on Deck to Play Billy Flynn in Chicago", 1 November 2007.
  13. ^ Gans, Andrew, "Cactus Flower, With Maxwell Caulfield and Lois Robbins, to End-Off Broadway Run", 5 April 2011.
  14. ^ Maxwell Caulfield at IMDb
  15. ^ Maxwell Caulfield biography, FilmReference.com. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
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