If you’ve spent any time watching prestige TV over the last decade, you’ve definitely seen Max Burkholder. You might not have known his name at first, but his face—and especially that specific, focused intensity he brings to his roles—is hard to forget. Most people still point at the screen and shout, "Hey, it’s Max from Parenthood!" Honestly, that makes sense. He spent years playing Max Braverman, a character that basically changed how neurodivergence was portrayed on primetime television.
But here’s the thing: Max Burkholder isn't just a child star who stayed in one lane. He’s transitioned into a full-blown leading man, most recently taking over for Mark Wahlberg in the Ted prequel series. Seeing him navigate a foul-mouthed teddy bear in the 90s is a far cry from the emotional family drama of the Bravermans. His filmography is actually a wild mix of raunchy comedy, high-concept horror, and a surprising amount of voice acting for iconic kids' shows.
The Parenthood Legacy and Max Braverman
We have to start with Parenthood. It’s the elephant in the room. For six seasons, Burkholder played Max Braverman, a kid navigating life with Asperger’s (now diagnosed as Autism Spectrum Disorder). This wasn't some caricature. It was raw. It was often frustrating for the audience. He wasn't always "likable" in the traditional TV sense, which is exactly why it worked.
Burkholder wasn't just reading lines. He worked closely with experts and doctors to make sure the stimming, the eye contact issues, and the meltdowns felt authentic. It’s rare to see a young actor carry that much weight without it feeling like "awards bait." Instead, it felt like a real kid trying to survive middle school. By the time the show ended in 2015, he had become a bit of an unofficial spokesperson for the community, even though he isn't on the spectrum himself.
Stepping Into John Bennett’s Shoes in Ted
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025. Max Burkholder is suddenly the lead in one of Peacock’s biggest hits. Playing a young John Bennett in the Ted TV series was a massive risk. Think about it: you’re stepping into a role made famous by Mark Wahlberg, acting opposite a CGI bear voiced by Seth MacFarlane.
💡 You might also like: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
It’s a 180-degree turn.
The show is set in 1993 Framingham, Massachusetts. Burkholder nails the accent without making it a parody. He plays John as a sweet, slightly dim-witted, but totally well-meaning teenager. Critics were actually shocked at how well he mimicked Wahlberg’s mannerisms while still making the character his own. Season 1 was a monster hit, and as we move through 2026, the buzz around Season 2 is everywhere. It’s confirmed they’re hitting John’s senior year of high school, and yes, there’s even a rumored Dungeons & Dragons episode featuring Brennan Lee Mulligan.
The Horror Pivot: The Purge
Before he was hanging out with talking bears, Burkholder took a detour into the world of dystopian horror. In 2013, he starred in the original The Purge as Charlie Sandin. He’s the catalyst for the entire plot. He’s the one who lets the "bloody stranger" into their high-tech fortress, which, let’s be real, made a lot of audiences scream at their TVs.
But look at the performance. He’s playing a kid with a moral compass in a world that has completely lost its mind. He holds his own against heavy hitters like Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey. Even though he’s mostly remembered for the "why did you open the door?!" memes, his performance grounded the movie. He appeared again in The First Purge via archival footage/flashbacks, keeping his tie to the franchise alive.
📖 Related: Album Hopes and Fears: Why We Obsess Over Music That Doesn't Exist Yet
A Secret Career in Voice Acting
You probably didn’t realize Max Burkholder was part of your childhood long before Parenthood. He’s a veteran of the recording booth. He was the voice of Roo in My Friends Tigger & Pooh for years. He also voiced Chomper in the Land Before Time TV series.
It’s a weird realization. The guy who is currently making weed jokes with a teddy bear on Peacock was once the voice of a tiny, friendly T-Rex.
He’s also a staple in the Seth MacFarlane universe. If you listen closely to Family Guy, American Dad!, or The Cleveland Show, you’ll hear him in dozens of guest spots. He’s played everyone from a "Kid Doctor" to a parody of Justin Bieber. This long-standing relationship with MacFarlane is clearly what led to him landing the lead in Ted.
Notable Movies and TV Shows (The Quick List)
- Ted (2024-Present): John Bennett (Lead role)
- Invincible (2021-Present): Voice of Matt
- Parenthood (2010–2015): Max Braverman (Series Regular)
- The Purge (2013): Charlie Sandin
- In Treatment (2008–2009): Max Weston
- The Land Before Time (2007–2008): Chomper (Voice)
- My Friends Tigger & Pooh (2007–2010): Roo (Voice)
- Daddy Day Care (2003): Max Ryerson (His big debut!)
From Daddy Day Care to Harvard
Max has been doing this since he was a literal toddler. His first big break was Daddy Day Care back in 2003. He was one of the kids in Eddie Murphy’s makeshift daycare. It’s wild to look back at that tiny kid and realize he’s had a more consistent career than 90% of adult actors in Hollywood.
👉 See also: The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads: Why This Live Album Still Beats the Studio Records
What’s even more impressive is that he didn't just disappear into the Hollywood machine. He actually took time to go to Harvard. He was involved in student theater there, even playing Dylan Klebold in a production of columbinus. That kind of training shows. There’s a theatricality to his work now—a sense of timing that you only get from doing stage work and intense character studies.
Why Max Burkholder is One to Watch
The reason Burkholder’s career works is variety. He can do the heartbreaking drama of a kid who feels like an outsider, and then immediately pivot to the "straight man" in a vulgar comedy. He doesn't seem interested in being a traditional heartthrob. He’s a character actor who just happens to be a lead.
As we see more of him in Ted Season 2 and beyond, it’s clear he’s looking for roles that challenge the "kid from Parenthood" label. He’s already proven he can handle horror, animation, and sitcom-style comedy.
If you want to see the full evolution of his career, your best bet is to start with a few key episodes of Parenthood (the Season 2 episode "Amazing Andy" is a standout) and then jump straight into the first season of Ted. The contrast is jarring in the best way possible.
What to do next:
To get the full picture of his range, watch the 2013 film The Purge to see his dramatic tension, then follow it up with the Ted series on Peacock to see his comedic timing. Keep an eye out for his voice work in Invincible, where he continues to pop up in guest roles as the show enters its later seasons.