Max Everitt Rosenbloom (November 1, 1907[1] – March 6, 1976) was an American professional boxer, actor, and television personality. Nicknamed “Slapsie Maxie,” he was inducted into The Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1972,[2] the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, [3] the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1985, [4] and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. [5]
Life and career
Born in Leonard Bridge, Connecticut, Rosenbloom was nicknamed "Slapsie Maxie" by a journalist due to his open-gloved style of boxing.[6] As a professional boxer, Rosenbloom relied on hitting and moving to score points. He was very difficult to hit cleanly with a power punch and his fights often went the full number of required rounds. In his boxing career, he received thousands of punches to the head, which eventually led to the deterioration of his motor functions.[2]
In 1930, he won the New York light heavyweight title.[2] In 1932, he won the World Light Heavyweight Championship.[7] He held and defended the title until November 1934, when he lost it to Bob Olin.[8]
In 1937, he accepted a role in a Hollywood film. He became a character actor, portraying comical "big guys" in movies that included Each Dawn I Die,[9] and he then retired from boxing permanently in 1939.
He continued acting on radio, television, and in a number of films, usually playing comedy roles as a big, clumsy, punch-drunk—but lovable—character.[2] He appeared in a number of episodes (playing himself) of The Fred Allen Show—including a skit with Marlene Dietrich.
Rosenbloom played an important part in television's first 90-minute drama, Requiem for a Heavyweight, written by Rod Serling, and starring Jack Palance as a boxer at the end of his career. He portrayed a character whose life revolved around retelling old boxing stories night after night to other ex-boxers in a down-and-out bar. It is the fate that looms for Mountain McClintock, Palance's character, if he cannot adjust to a new life outside the ring.[10]
Slapsy Maxie's, Rosenbloom’s nightclub, is prominently featured in a 2013 crime film, Gangster Squad, which is set in 1949. The original club operated at 7165 Beverly Blvd in San Francisco. From 1943 to 1947 it was located at 5665 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. [11]
Death
Rosenbloom died of Paget's disease of bone on March 6, 1976 at the age of 68 in South Pasadena, California. [12]
He was interred in the Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.
Accolades
The Ring Boxing Hall of Fame (1972)[2]
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (1984) [13]
World Boxing Hall of Fame (1985)[14]
International Boxing Hall of Fame (1993) [15]
Selected Filmography
Kelly the Second (1936)
Muss 'em Up (1936)
Big City (1937)
Nothing Sacred (1937)
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938)
Naughty but Nice (1939)
20,000 Men a Year (1939)
Private Detective (1939)
Public Deb No. 1 (1940)
The Lady and the Lug (1940) (short subject)
To the Shores of Tripoli (1942)
Smart Alecks (1942)
Crazy Knights (1944)
Three of a Kind (1944)
Mr. Universe (1951)
Hollywood or Bust (1955)
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1956)
I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958)
References
1. According to Rosenbloom's headstone in the Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery, his birth date is November 1, 1907
2. "Former light-heavy champ Maxie Rosembloom is dead". Ellensburg Daily Record. United Press International. March 8, 1976.
3. "Elected Members". International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
4. "An Evening to Remember". The Sacramento Bee. November 3, 1985.
5. Jon Saraceno (January 14, 1993). "Six live to see own induction". USA Today.
6. Siegman, Joseph (2000). Jewish Sports Legends: The International Jewish Hall of Fame. Brassey's. p. 63. ISBN 1-57488-284-8.
7. Edward J. Neil (June 26, 1930). "Maxey [sic] Rosenbloom Wins Light Heavyweight Title". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
8. "Bob Olin Victor Over Champion: Decision Booed as Maxie Loses Crown". Pittsburg Press. November 17, 1934.
9. "Grim Prison Drama Stars Cagney And Raft". Portsmouth Times. August 14, 1939.
10. John Crosby (October 16, 1956). "John Crosby's Column: 90-Minute Drama Packs Punch". Toledo Blade.
11. Foster, Charles (2003). Once Upon a Time in Paradise: Canadians in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Dundurn p. 97. ISBN 978-1550024647
12. Blady, Ken (1988). The Jewish Boxers Hall of Fame. SP Books. p. 226. ISBN 0-933503-87-3.
13. "Elected Members". International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
14. "An Evening to Remember". The Sacramento Bee. November 3, 1985.
15. Jon Saraceno (January 14, 1993). "Six live to see own induction". USA Today.
