Maxwell George Schneider Bio
Maxwell George Schneider, known professionally as Max, is an American singer, actor, dancer, and model born on June 21, 1992, in Manhattan, New York. He first gained recognition as a teenager appearing on Broadway in the musical 13 and later became known to television audiences through Nickelodeon projects. Schneider transitioned into a successful music career under the mononym Max, achieving commercial success with his single Lights Down Low in 2016 and releasing multiple studio albums including Hell’s Kitchen Angel and Color Vision.
Schneider began his professional career at age 14 when he acquired his first agent, though he had been performing since the age of three. He established himself as a versatile entertainer across multiple mediums, from theater and television to music and modeling. His career trajectory has included working with major record labels, collaborating with prominent artists, and building a dedicated fanbase through his pop music releases.
Early Life and Background
Schneider was born in Manhattan, New York, and raised in Woodstock, New York, in the Catskill Mountains region. He was raised Jewish, with his father coming from a Jewish family and his mother converting to Judaism. The artistic and musical culture of Woodstock during his formative years contributed to his early exposure to performance arts.
He demonstrated an interest and aptitude for performance from an exceptionally young age, beginning to perform at just three years old. His parents supported his artistic pursuits, and by his early teens he was actively seeking professional representation. Schneider attended the YoungArts program and was recognized as the 2010 YoungArts Theater Winner, an achievement that helped validate his early talent and dedication to his craft.
During his teenage years, Schneider modeled for a major international Dolce & Gabbana campaign alongside Madonna, which provided him with early industry exposure and experience. His diverse talents across singing, acting, dancing, and modeling positioned him well for a multi-faceted entertainment career. He balanced his education with his professional commitments during these early years, setting the foundation for his future success.
Path to Acting
Schneider’s professional acting career began in earnest in 2008 when he was cast as a swing understudy in the Broadway musical 13, covering four different roles. This early Broadway experience gave him valuable theater training and exposure to the professional entertainment industry at age 16. The production, which featured a teenage cast, was an ideal launching pad for his career, allowing him to develop his skills in a high-profile New York theatrical setting.
In 2012, Schneider transitioned to television with a leading role as Zander in the Nickelodeon series How to Rock. That same year, he starred as Charlie Prince in the Nickelodeon original television film Rags, a modern retelling of the Cinderella story set in the music industry. These projects established him as a recognizable face in youth entertainment and showcased his singing abilities alongside his acting talents.
Following his Nickelodeon success, Schneider toured with Victoria Justice on her Make It In America Tour, further expanding his audience reach. He also began writing songs for other Disney Channel and Nickelodeon productions, including contributions to Shake It Up and additional songs for How to Rock. This combination of acting, performing, and songwriting demonstrated his versatility and helped him build relationships within the entertainment industry that would prove valuable for his future musical career.
Maxwell George Schneider Career
Early Career (2008-2015)
After his Broadway debut in 13, Schneider expanded his presence in the entertainment industry through modeling and television work. His early music efforts included releasing his debut extended play First Encounters in 2010, which introduced him as a solo recording artist. He developed a crowdfunding approach for his music, using Kickstarter to fund what became his 2015 album NWL, which had originally been planned as an EP titled The Nothing Without Love EP.
During this period, Schneider began collaborating with other artists, contributing to Hoodie Allen’s debut album People Keep Talking in 2014. His 2014 single Mug Shot marked the first release under his stage name Max, a change he made to create what he described as a vehicle focused more directly on the music itself. This transitional period established his artistic identity as he moved from child actor to adult recording artist.
Breakthrough (2016-2020)
In 2015, Schneider signed with DCD2 Records, founded by Fall Out Boy members Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his career. His first album under the label, Hell’s Kitchen Angel, was released in April 2016 and featured the breakthrough single Lights Down Low featuring Gnash. The song became a sleeper hit, eventually peaking within the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving triple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
The success of Lights Down Low brought Schneider mainstream recognition and established him as a rising pop artist. In June 2016, he was selected as Elvis Duran’s Artist of the Month and appeared on NBC’s Today show to perform his single Gibberish. That same month, he formed the soul group Witchita with Tim Armstrong, releasing their debut single Mrs Magoo via Hellcat Records. His growing profile led to collaborations with Noah Cyrus on the 2018 single Team and with Quinn XCII on Love Me Less in 2019.
Schneider’s momentum continued with his signing to Arista Records and the release of his third studio album Colour Vision in September 2020. The Love Me Less single achieved significant radio success, reaching the top 20 at Top 40 Radio and earning gold certification in both the United States and Canada. His expanding international reach included collaborations with Korean artists, including featuring on Agust D’s mixtape D-2 and later co-writing and co-producing I’ll Be There for BTS member Jin, released in October 2024.
Notable Works and Milestones
Schneider’s discography includes four studio albums, with Hell’s Kitchen Angel and Colour Vision representing his most commercially successful releases. His single Lights Down Low remains his signature hit, achieving multi-platinum status and introducing him to a wide audience. His ability to collaborate across genres and with artists from different countries has become a hallmark of his career, reflecting his approach of finding creative connections through musical partnerships.
Maxwell George Schneider Award Nominations
Maxwell George Schneider has received recognition from major industry awards bodies. In 2019, he was nominated for Best New Pop Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, placing him among the promising new talent in mainstream pop music that year. Billboard also recognized him as a number one Emerging Artist, highlighting his commercial potential and growing influence in the music industry.
Maxwell George Schneider Awards Won
Schneider’s commercial achievements have been recognized through industry certifications rather than traditional award trophies. His single Lights Down Low earned triple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America and double platinum certification in Canada. His 2019 single Love Me Less received gold certification from both the RIAA and Music Canada, demonstrating his sustained commercial success beyond his breakthrough hit.
Maxwell George Schneider Family
Schneider married Emily Cannon on April 1, 2016, in a courthouse ceremony. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Edie Celine, in December 2020. Schneider has spoken about how being an only child influenced his approach to collaboration, viewing musical partnerships as a way to connect with others and create work that would not have been possible in isolation.
Personal Life
Beyond his professional achievements, Schneider has faced and overcome health challenges, undergoing surgery in 2018 that required four months of vocal rest. This period significantly impacted his career timeline but ultimately did not derail his momentum. His personal journey reflects his dedication to his craft and his ability to persevere through professional setbacks. Schneider continues to balance his family life with his music career, maintaining an active presence in the entertainment industry while prioritizing his role as a husband and father.