Max Burkholder

Early life and education

Burkholder was born in November 1997;^[1] his parents are former actors.^[2] Burkholder has a brother named James.^[3] He attended Campbell Hall School.^[4] Burkholder attended Harvard University as a member of the Class of 2021, studying biology, but dropped out after his freshman year to pursue acting full-time.^[5][6] Burkholder began his theatrical career at Harvard, appearing in a student production of columbinus at Harvard portraying Dylan Klebold/Loner.^[7] Burkholder is Jewish.^[8][9]

Television

Burkholder began voice acting in several television series as a child. He voiced Chomper in the television series The Land Before Time, based on the film series of the same name. He also provided the voice of Roo on My Friends Tigger & Pooh (taking over the role from Jimmy Bennett), and played World, an imaginary friend inside a toybox in Destination: Imagination, a television special episode of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (2008).^[10] He was the voice of Samsquatch in Random! Cartoons. He has also voiced various characters in the animated sitcoms Family Guy, The Cleveland Show and American Dad!, all of which were created by Seth MacFarlane, whom Burkholder later worked with on Ted.^[1]

In live-action television roles, Burkholder appeared on Parenthood as Max Braverman; executive producer Jason Katims said that consultant Wayne Tashjian, a behavioral psychologist, looked at the script and met with Burkholder and his mother about the scenes involving the character of Max. Burkholder and his mother then practiced the scenes by themselves. For special scenes, the show employed a second consultant to ensure accuracy.^[11] Burkholder also appeared as young Mitch on Crumbs. He guest starred on an episode of CSI: Miami, "Death Pool 100" and in an episode of CSI: NY. In addition, he played Billy in one episode of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody on Disney Channel. He also appeared in the television series In Treatment and Love for Rent, and played the role of Duncan in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, "Brave New World". He also played a child at an airport in an episode of The O.C..^[12]

Burkholder starred in the TV series Ted, as the younger version of Mark Wahlberg's character John Bennett from the previous films in the Ted franchise.^[13] The series premiered in 2024 and Burkholder continued in his starring role into the series' second season in 2026.^[14] In 2025, Burkholder was a guest performer on the second season of the panel show Smartypants, streaming on Dropout.^[15]

Film

Burkholder's first acting role overall was in the 2003 comedy film Daddy Day Care as Max.^[1] He also appeared in Friends with Money, released in 2006.^[16] He played Charlie, the son of character James Sandin (played by Ethan Hawke), in the horror film The Purge, released in the summer of 2013.^[17][18] Burkholder portrayed the title character in the 2018 black comedy film Benjamin, directed by and starring Bob Saget.^[19]

Film roles

Television roles