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Max Carver
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Max Carver (born Robert Maxwell Martensen Jr;[1][2] August 1, 1988) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Preston Scavo in the ABC television series Desperate Housewives (2008–2012),[3] as Aiden on the MTV teen-horror drama Teen Wolf (2013–2015), and in the first season of the HBO series The Leftovers (2014); his twin brother Charlie Carver portrayed the twin of his characters in all three shows.
Key Information
Early life and education
[edit]Max Carver was born in San Francisco, California, on August 1, 1988. His identical twin brother Charles was born seven minutes earlier on July 31.[4] Before he began acting professionally, he was known as Max Martensen.[citation needed] His father was physician, historian, and author Robert Martensen, and his mother, Anne Carver, is a philanthropist and community activist.[5] In 1992, Anne and her new husband Denis Sutro moved the family to Calistoga in Napa Valley.[citation needed] Max attended high school at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, from which he graduated in 2007.[citation needed] In 2012, he graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in English.[citation needed]
Career
[edit]Carver's acting debut was with his brother in the ABC television series, Desperate Housewives; in which they played Preston and Porter Scavo, sons to Lynette Scavo and Tom Scavo.[6] He then appeared with his brother in season 3 of MTV's Teen Wolf in 2013 as a pair of twin werewolves – Max played Aiden, and Charlie played Ethan.[7][8] In that same year, it was announced that they were cast in the first season of HBO series The Leftovers.[9][10][11]
Carver has also acted separately from his brother. He has guest starred on shows such as The Office, Good Luck Charlie, Victorious, and Best Friends Forever. He had a cameo role in the 2014 comedy Mantervention, playing Lifeguard Joe.[12][13] He made his principal film debut in 2014 in Ask Me Anything, co-starring with Britt Robertson, Justin Long, and Martin Sheen.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Dean Slater: Resident Advisor | Pissed off guy | |
| 2014 | Ask Me Anything | Rory | |
| Mantervention | Lifeguard Joe | ||
| 2017 | Fist Fight | Daniel | |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | Snug | ||
| 2018 | In the Cloud | Caden | |
| 2022 | The Batman | The Twin |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2012 | Desperate Housewives | Preston Scavo | Recurring role; 40 episodes |
| 2009 | The Office | Eric | Episode: "Gossip" |
| 2010 | Good Luck Charlie | Brad | Episode: "Double Whammy" |
| 2012 | Best Friends Forever | Corey | Episode: "Single and Lovin' It" |
| Victorious | Evan Smith | Episode: "The Blonde Squad" | |
| NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Thad | Episode: "16 Hop Street" | |
| Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn | Cadmon Lasky | Web series; main role | |
| 2013 | The Cheating Pact | Jordan | Television film |
| 2013–2015 | Teen Wolf | Aiden | Recurring role (season 3), Guest role (season 5); 20 episodes |
| 2014 | The Leftovers | Adam Frost | Main role (season 1) |
| Grand Theft Auto: Give Me Liberty | Claude | Television film | |
| 2015 | The Following | Reggie | Episode: "Home" |
| 2016 | Filthy Preppy Teens | Chaad Bishop | Main role |
| Cupcake Wars | Himself | Guest star | |
| 2025 | 9-1-1 | Cody Whiting | 2 episodes |
| 2026 | The 'Burbs (TV series) | Danny Daniels | 5 episodes |
Music videos
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Rough Sweat" | White China Gold | Thomas |
| "Where Is the Love?" | The Black Eyed Peas featuring The World | Himself |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Desperate Housewives | Nominated | [14] |
References
[edit]- ^ California Birth Index 1905-1995, Ancestry.com
- ^ Reid, Joe (July 31, 2015). "Today in TV History: Happy Birthday To TV Twin Charlie (But Not Max) Carver". The Decider. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ Interview with Charlie and Max Carver Archived November 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Max Carver on Instagram: "Fun fact: though @charliecarver & I are identical twins, we were born on different days in different months. I'm also left handed and he's…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "A Front-Row Seat as a Health Care System Goes Awry". The New York Times. January 19, 2009. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ "More fitties on 'Desperate Housewives'". Digital Spy. December 9, 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 28, 2012). "Charlie & Max Carver Among New Cast Additions On MTV's 'Teen Wolf'". Deadline. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Masters, Megan (November 18, 2012). "TVLine Items: Teen Wolf Adds Desperate Twins, Nick Cannon Signs New NBC Deal and More!". TVLine. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ Rawden, Jessica (April 12, 2015). "The Leftovers Is Making All Of These Changes For Season 2". Cinemablend. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ Lucarelli, Kristina (June 27, 2013). "'Teen Wolf' Twins Max And Charlie Carver Land Spots In HBO Pilot 'The Leftovers'". MTV. Viacom Media Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 24, 2013). "Charlie & Max Carver Join HBO's 'Leftovers'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ^ "'Mantervention' Official Site". Scatena & Rosner Films. December 20, 2013. Archived from the original on January 22, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
- ^ "Mantervention". IMDb. August 5, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
- ^ Bruno, Mike (December 20, 2007). "The 14th Annual SAG Award Nominations". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
External links
[edit]- Max Carver at IMDb
- Max Carver on Twitter
Max Carver
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
Max Carver, born Robert Maxwell Martensen Jr., entered the world on August 1, 1988, in San Francisco, California, just seven minutes after his identical twin brother, Charles (Charlie) Carver Martensen, who was born at 11:59 p.m. on July 31, 1988, resulting in the brothers technically sharing different birth dates despite being twins.[1][8] The twins' parents were Robert Lawrence Martensen, a prominent physician, medical historian, bioethicist, and author who served as director of the Office of History and Archives at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Anne Carver, a philanthropist, community activist, and vintner.[9][10] Robert Martensen, who held advanced degrees including an M.D. and Ph.D., authored influential works such as A Life Worth Living: A Doctor's Reflections on Illness in a High-Tech Era (2008), blending his medical expertise with ethical and historical insights into healthcare.[11] He passed away in 2013 at the age of 66. Shortly after the twins' birth, Robert and Anne separated after Robert came out as gay, and Anne remarried Denis M. Sutro, a writer and former publisher, in 1992. The family then moved to Calistoga in California's Napa Valley, where they managed the historic Palisades Market and later established the Carver-Sutro Winery, reflecting Anne's involvement in the local wine industry and her commitment to community initiatives, including support for UpValley Family Centers.[10][12] Max also has an older half-brother, Bayard Martensen, from his father's previous marriage to Phoebe Cutler.[8] Robert's academic and research career at institutions like Tulane University and the NIH influenced his own path, including work with his father at the NIH.[9]Education
Carver attended St. Paul's School, an independent boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire, graduating magna cum laude in 2007.[9][3] Following high school, he enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC), where he participated in the Thematic Option program, an interdisciplinary honors track allowing students to design customized academic paths across humanities and social sciences. Carver graduated from USC in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in English.[3][5] At USC, Carver balanced his academic pursuits with emerging acting commitments, including filming his role as Preston Scavo on Desperate Housewives while completing his degree.[13]Career
Early roles and breakthrough
Carver developed an early interest in performing arts, participating in school plays, amateur theatricals, and improvisational performances during his time at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Cinematic Arts, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a professional acting career. While shopping for shoes in Santa Monica with his twin brother Charlie, the siblings were scouted by a casting director, leading to an audition just two weeks later for the role of the grown-up Scavo twins on the ABC series Desperate Housewives.[3][9][9] This opportunity marked Carver's professional breakthrough, as he and his brother were cast as series regulars, with Max portraying Preston Scavo opposite Felicity Huffman and Teri Hatcher. Debuting in the sixth season premiere on September 27, 2009, following the show's five-year time jump, Carver appeared in 40 episodes across seasons 6 through 8, concluding in 2012. The role provided significant exposure, establishing the twins as a notable on-screen duo in primetime television.[14] Prior to and concurrent with Desperate Housewives, Carver secured smaller television guest roles that honed his skills. His on-screen debut came slightly earlier, as Eric, one of Dunder Mifflin's summer interns, in the season 6 premiere episode "Gossip" of The Office, which aired on September 17, 2009. He followed this with appearances as Brad in Good Luck Charlie (2010) and a minor role in Victorious (2012), alongside a part in the web series G.I.A. (2012). These early gigs, though brief, contributed to building his resume during the height of his Desperate Housewives tenure.[15][1]Television work
Following his breakout on Desperate Housewives, Carver took on guest-starring roles in several popular series. In 2009, he appeared as Eric in the NBC comedy The Office, contributing to the season's "Gossip" episode focused on workplace rumors.[16] The next year, he guest-starred as Brad in an episode of Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie, playing a friend of the Duncan family.[17] Additional one-off appearances included Evan Smith in Nickelodeon's Victorious (2012) and Thad in the sketch comedy NTSF:SD:SUV:: (2012), showcasing his versatility in comedic formats.[18] A significant step forward came in 2013 when Carver joined MTV's supernatural drama Teen Wolf as Aiden Steiner, one half of the antagonistic Alpha Twins alongside his brother Charlie as Ethan. He appeared in 24 episodes across seasons 3 and 4, from 2013 to 2014, with the characters integrating into the show's werewolf mythology and central conflicts. The role highlighted Carver's ability to handle action-oriented fantasy elements and sibling dynamics on screen.[19] Carver continued building his profile with a main role as Adam Frost in HBO's existential series The Leftovers. He featured in all 10 episodes of season 1 (2014), depicting a troubled young man grappling with loss in a post-apocalyptic world. This performance earned praise for its emotional depth amid the show's ensemble narrative.[20] In 2015, Carver guest-starred as Reggie in Fox's thriller The Following.[19] More recently, Carver recurred as Cody Whiting in Fox's procedural drama 9-1-1 in season 9 (2025), appearing in 2 episodes involving high-stakes emergency scenarios.[21] As of 2025, Carver has joined the cast of Peacock's mystery comedy The 'Burbs in a recurring role, contributing to an ensemble exploring suburban intrigue.[22] His television portfolio demonstrates a progression from family-oriented comedies to intense dramas and genre pieces, often leveraging his real-life twin connection for dual casting opportunities.[20]Film roles
Carver entered the film industry following his early television success, taking on supporting roles in independent dramas, comedies, and genre pieces that often highlighted his ability to portray youthful, relatable characters amid escalating conflicts. His film work, though not as extensive as his television output, includes a mix of ensemble casts and occasional creative involvement behind the camera.[1] In 2013, Carver appeared in the Lifetime thriller The Cheating Pact, playing Jordan Coleman, a cunning high school student who collaborates with friends to cheat on exams, only for the scheme to spiral into a frame-up for murder. The film, directed by Doug Campbell, explores themes of academic pressure and betrayal among teens.[23] His feature film debut came in 2014 with the sex comedy Mantervention, where he had a brief cameo as Lifeguard Joe, a flirtatious beach attendant advising the protagonist on romantic mishaps. Directed by Stuart Acher, the movie satirizes male intervention in relationships through a series of humorous interventions.[24] That same year, Carver expanded his involvement in Ask Me Anything, portraying Rory, the supportive yet oblivious boyfriend to a teen blogger whose anonymous posts unravel her life. The drama delves into digital privacy, identity, and adolescent vulnerability.[25] Carver reunited with his twin brother Charlie in 2017's Fist Fight, a raunchy high school comedy directed by Richie Keen, where he played Daniel, one of the students caught in the chaos as teachers Ice Cube and Charlie Day prepare to brawl after a misunderstanding. The ensemble film, also featuring Christina Hendricks and Tracy Morgan, amplifies workplace tensions in an educational setting through over-the-top antics. Also in 2017, he took on the role of Snug, a mechanical in the rude mechanicals troupe, in Casey Wilder Mott's modern Los Angeles-set adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The indie production blends contemporary urban life with the play's fairy-tale elements, starring Finn Wittrock and Paz de la Huerta, and emphasizes chaotic romance and class satire in a vibrant, music-infused environment.[26] In 2018's sci-fi thriller In the Cloud, directed by Jim Gillespie, Carver portrayed Caden, a young tech employee entangled in a company's experimental software that uploads human consciousness to a virtual realm, leading to ethical dilemmas and corporate intrigue. The film critiques surveillance capitalism and the blurring of reality and digital existence.[27] In the 2023 short film Spring Must Come, Carver played Andy, one of two young brothers traveling across California to spread their parents' ashes.[28] Carver's most prominent cinematic role arrived in 2022 with Matt Reeves' The Batman, where he played one of the identical twin henchmen (Twin #2) working for Oswald Cobblepot, the Penguin, serving as bouncers at the Iceberg Lounge during Batman's investigation. Co-starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, and Paul Dano, the noir-inspired reboot highlights Gotham's corruption through gritty detective work and high-stakes pursuits.[29][30]Filmography
Feature films
Max Carver has appeared in a variety of feature films, often in supporting roles that highlight his versatility in comedy, drama, and fantasy genres. His film debut came in 2014 with two independent dramas, followed by comedic and Shakespearean adaptations, and a recent high-profile superhero entry.[31]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Ask Me Anything | Rory | Psychological drama based on the novel Undiscovered Gyrl. |
| 2014 | Mantervention | Alex the Lifeguard | Romantic comedy. |
| 2017 | Fist Fight | Daniel | Comedy starring Ice Cube and Charlie Day. |
| 2017 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Snout | Modern adaptation of Shakespeare's play, directed by Casey Wilder Mott.[32] |
| 2018 | In the Cloud | Caden | Thriller about technology and identity. |
| 2022 | The Batman | The Twins | Superhero film directed by Matt Reeves, playing uncredited twin henchmen. |
Television series
Max Carver's television career spans a variety of genres, from family dramas and supernatural thrillers to comedies and animated series. He gained early recognition for his recurring role in a long-running prime-time soap, followed by guest appearances in popular sitcoms, and later took on more prominent parts in critically acclaimed HBO and MTV productions. His work often features him portraying young adults navigating complex family dynamics or supernatural elements, and he has continued to take on voice and recurring roles into the 2020s.| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2012 | Desperate Housewives | Preston Scavo | Recurring role; 40 episodes, twin brother to Charlie Carver's Porter Scavo. |
| 2009 | The Office | Eric | Guest role; 1 episode ("Gossip"). |
| 2010 | Good Luck Charlie | Brad | Guest role; 1 episode ("Double Whammy"). |
| 2012 | Victorious | Evan Smith | Guest role; 1 episode ("The Blonde Squad"). |
| 2012 | Best Friends Forever | Corey | Guest role; 1 episode ("Single and Lovin' It"). |
| 2012–2013 | The Lying Game | Thad Miracle | Recurring role; 2 episodes. |
| 2013–2015 | Teen Wolf | Aiden | Main role; 20 episodes, portraying one half of the Alpha twin werewolves alongside brother Charlie Carver. |
| 2014 | The Leftovers | Adam Frost | Recurring role; 10 episodes, as a troubled cult member. |
| 2018 | 9-1-1 | Cody Whiting | Guest role; 1 episode ("Karma's a Bitch"). |
| 2025 | 9-1-1 | Cody Whiting | Guest role; 2 episodes ("Spiraling", "The Sky Is Falling"). |
| 2025 | The 'Burbs | TBA | Recurring role in the upcoming Peacock black comedy series.[33] |
Other appearances
In addition to his prominent television series roles and feature films, Max Carver has made several guest appearances across various shows, often portraying young supporting characters that highlighted his early versatility as an actor. His television debut came in 2009 as Eric, one of the summer interns, in the season six premiere episode "Gossip" of the NBC sitcom The Office, marking his first onscreen role separate from his twin brother Charlie.[34] Carver continued with guest spots in family-oriented comedies, including the role of Brad in the 2010 episode "Double Whammy" of Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie, where he appeared as a classmate involved in a school talent show mishap.[35] In 2012, he played Evan Smith, a member of a cheerleading squad, in the Victorious episode "The Blonde Squad" on Nickelodeon, showcasing his comedic timing in a high school ensemble. That same year, he portrayed Corey in the short-lived NBC series Best Friends Forever, contributing to the show's portrayal of quirky friendships among young adults.[36] More recently, in 2018, Carver guest-starred as Cody Whiting, a firefighter trainee, in an episode of Fox's procedural drama 9-1-1.[37] Beyond scripted roles, Carver has appeared as himself in reality and companion programming. He served as a guest on MTV's Wolf Watch from 2013 to 2014, discussing episodes of Teen Wolf alongside fellow cast members and fans. Additionally, in 2016, he competed on the Food Network's Cupcake Wars, participating in a baking competition themed around celebrity challenges.[38] These appearances underscore his engagement with audiences outside traditional acting formats during the height of his Teen Wolf popularity.Personal life and activism
Family and relationships
Max Carver was born on August 1, 1988, in San Francisco, California, seven minutes after his identical twin brother, Charlie Carver.[39] His parents divorced shortly after the twins' birth, with the separation attributed to their father, Robert Martensen, coming out as gay—a fact the brothers learned around age 11.[40] Robert Martensen (1947–2013) was a physician, medical historian, and author who worked at the National Institutes of Health.[9][41] Carver's mother, Anne Carver, is a philanthropist and community activist who remarried Denis Sutro in 1992, after which the family relocated to Calistoga in California's Napa Valley.[3] Carver maintains a private personal life, with limited public information about his romantic relationships. He was in a relationship with actress Holland Roden, his co-star from Teen Wolf, from 2014 to 2016.[42]Advocacy efforts
Max Carver has been actively involved in advocacy for voting rights and democratic reforms, particularly through his partnership with RepresentUs, a nonpartisan organization combating political corruption. In 2021, he collaborated with the group to promote the For the People Act, a federal bill aimed at expanding voting access, ending gerrymandering, and strengthening election integrity; Carver urged supporters to contact undecided senators via targeted campaigns. He has spoken out against gerrymandering, describing it as a tactic that could suppress youth votes for up to a decade, and participated in RepresentUs events to highlight systemic threats to democracy. As a speaker at the 2025 American Democracy Summit organized by RepresentUs, Carver emphasized grassroots efforts to hold politicians accountable.[43][44][45] In the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Carver raised alarms about vigilante voter challenges, which he characterized as an organized assault on democracy, particularly targeting over 851,000 voters in states like Georgia. In an interview, he described these efforts as militarized and unaccountable, stressing the urgency of curing challenged ballots before deadlines and praising organizations such as the NAACP for aiding affected voters. Earlier, in 2016, Carver visited De Anza College in California alongside activist Kendrick Sampson to encourage student voter registration in support of Senator Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign, framing voting as essential for progressive change.[46][47] Carver has also advocated for LGBTQ+ rights, often alongside his identical twin brother, Charlie Carver, who is gay. In 2019, the brothers joined the Human Rights Campaign's "Americans for the Equality Act" initiative, a push for federal legislation to extend civil rights protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. They highlighted the injustice of unequal rights across states, noting in a public statement that despite sharing the exact same DNA, Charlie could face different legal protections than Max depending on location, and called for nationwide consistency.[48][49] Additionally, Carver has supported inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics. In 2019, he hosted a live stream event on March 8 to promote the #ChooseToInclude campaign, aimed at ending discrimination and fostering joyful communities. He co-hosted a subsequent stream-a-thon in July with other advocates and collaborated with high school students, including Diego Salazar, to showcase unified school programs that integrate students with and without disabilities.[50][51] In October 2025, he attended the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's 18th Annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show in Denver, which raised $2.6 million for research, medical care, and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome.[52]Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Desperate Housewives | Nominated[7] |
