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Jeff Maxwell's small role on M*A*S*H helped him achieve big things
"It just kind of grew," Maxwell said.
On the celebrity scale, Jeff Maxwell sat near the bottom. They couldn’t all be Alan Aldas. Everyone knew Alda’s name, but no one seemed to know who Jeff Maxwell was. However, during his time on M*A*S*H, his luck started to shift a bit.
Maxwell played the role of Pvt. Igor, the cook on M*A*S*H. Although he played an important role in the 4077th by feeding his fellow military members, his role on the series was less highlighted compared to other characters.
However, having a small part in a big show wasn’t so bad. In fact, according to a 1983 interview with the Jackson Hole News, Maxwell said he preferred it that way.
"My role was somewhat limited," Maxwell said. "That's the business of show biz. I'm not that crazy about the acting profession. I don't like to sit by the phone and wait for the agent to call. I've been focused on myself, I don't need to fall back on the glitz. I'm just a guy, it's just a job."
Maxwell's ego was as small as his role on M*A*S*H. He said he owed a lot to the series, especially for giving him a big paycheck, but he was glad he didn’t have to keep up with appearances like his co-stars Loretta Swit, Alda, Gary Burghoff, or other major M*A*S*H characters.
According to the interview, before M*A*S*H, Maxwell worked as a nightclub comedian, with no real interest in acting. However, when an opportunity like M*A*S*H comes around, you have to take a risk.
"It just kind of grew," Maxwell said.
His character didn’t even have a name for a while. He was a "nobody" both on screen and off, but that didn’t stop him from keeping going. Perhaps his major role change came off screen rather than on.
He had started producing a movie, budgeted at a million dollars, which he believed was a good investment because film was starting to explode.
"I went from television, a regular part, into producing a movie. I didn't even question it," Maxwell said. "I don't know how to do this; I want to do this. If it's a blockbuster, I'll be happy forever. If I get the movie to the screen, I'll be happy. I have residuals from M*A*S*H for the next 137 years. I don't have to worry about income... I'm looking for the big payoff."
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