Max Cantor

Summary

Michael "Max" Cantor (May 15, 1959 – October 3, 1991) was an American journalist and actor in films such as Dirty Dancing (1987) and Fear, Anxiety & Depression (1989).

Max Cantor
Cantor in 4th grade, 1969
Born
Michael Cantor

(1959-05-15)May 15, 1959
DiedOctober 3, 1991(1991-10-03) (aged 32)
Alma materHarvard University
Occupation(s)journalist and actor
Years active1983–1989
Parent

Biography edit

Cantor's father was the theatrical producer Arthur Cantor. He grew up in the Dakota Apartments on West 72nd Street in Manhattan, New York City. Cantor attended Collegiate School but graduated from Buxton School in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He spent his summers until age 14 at Camp Hillcroft in Billings, New York, alongside fellow campers such as the children of American Federation of Teachers president Albert Shanker and actor Burt Lancaster. At camp, he won top roles in Winnie the Pooh and The Velveteen Rabbit. Cantor was a 1982 graduate of Harvard University, where he lived in Adams House and starred in several productions by student director Peter Sellars.

Career edit

Cantor wrote for The Village Voice about ibogaine as a cure for heroin addiction,[1] and had taken an interest in the cult surrounding East Village cannibal/murderer Daniel Rakowitz.[1]

Death edit

He died from a heroin overdose at the age of 32. At the time he died, he was conducting research and writing a book about Rakowitz and the murder of dancer Monika Beerle.[1][2]

Filmography edit

Year Title Role Notes
1983 Diner Shrevie TV Short
1987 Dirty Dancing Robbie Gould
1989 Fear, Anxiety & Depression Jack (final film role)

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Marcus, Anthony (2006). Where Have All the Homeless Gone?: The Making and Unmaking of a Crisis. Berghagen Books. p. 123. ISBN 9781845450502.
  2. ^ Aronowitz, Al (June 2, 2002). "Column 72: The Strange Case of Max Cantor". the Blacklisted Journalist.

Bibliography edit

"The Strange Sad Death of Max Cantor", Sarah Ferguson, 'Esquire' February 1992, pp. 45 - 49.

External links edit