Max Showalter (
June 2,
1917 -
July 30,
2000) was an
American film,
television and
stage actor, as well as a
composer,
pianist, and
singer. One of Showalter's most memorable roles was as
Jean Peters' husband in the
1953 film,
Niagara. Showalter is also credited as
Casey Adams.
Early Life & Stage Career
Born in
Caldwell, Kansas, Showalter developed a desire for acting as a toddler while accompanying his mother to local theaters where she played piano for
silent movies. By the late 1930s, he had multiple stage roles under his belt, and soon made his
Broadway debut in
Knights of Song. Showalter also appeared in the traveling musical
This Is the Army for two years and in other notable Broadway productions like
Make Mine Manhattan and
The Grass Harp. His most memorable stage role was as Horace Vandergelder in the Broadway hit show,
Hello Dolly!. Showalter performed the role more than 3,000 times opposite
Carol Channing,
Betty Grable, and
Ginger Rogers.
[Find a Grave biography]
