M Maximillian "Max" Schreck is most known for his title role in the film Nosferatu, the famous silent horror movie directed by F.W. Murnau. He was German actor who did much acting.

His actual date of birth is sometime in 1879, with the date being said to be September or June of that year. He received much of his training at the Staatstheater in Berlin. He made his stage debut in Meseritz and Speyer, before touring Germany for a couple years. he then joined Max Reinhardt's company of performers, many of whom made great contributions to the cinema.

He served in World War I from 1915-1918 and then went on to appear in Munich Kammerspiele from 1919 to 1922, including roles in expressionist pieces like Drums in the Night. He was hired in 1922 to fill the lead role in Nosferatu for Prana films (the movie is available for free on FMO for US users only). It was the company's only film as they declared bankruptcy shortly after due to a lawsuit from Brahm Stoker's widow for copyright infringement.His character of Count Orlok with his long fingernails and rodent like features is a long-lasting image. Nosferatu was his only notable foray into the horror genre but it is indeed his most defining role he is remembered by.

He went on to do other work, including another film with the director of Nosferatu, but nothing of much weight. He married Fanny Normann, who was often credited as Fanny Schreck. He had at least one brother who was the father of his niece Gisela. There is not much information about his family, due in part no doubt to the time, geological area, and the fact that it wasn't anticipated as being important. There is nothing about his wife, despite her acting roles.

His real character was a compliment to his on screen one of Nosferatu. He was often called very grave and liked to take long walks in dark forests. He was also described as having an off-beat sense of humor and talent for playing the grotesque, which suggest an understanding or empathy the average person may not have. The word schreck means "fright" in German coming from the middle high German word schrecken: to frighten, or terrify. Due to this odd coincidence it was often thought he wasn't really a person and many details of his life have been lost as a result. It was thought the name Max Schreck was a pseudonym made for his role in Nosferatu. The top person thought to be the real actor was Alfred Abel, however anyone with a bit of intelligence can see he obvious facial differences between the two men.

He continued to act until his death in 1936 of a heart attack, often working with Murnau although nothing comparable to Nosferatu. Many of these films are likewise not around any more although it is always hopeful one may be found in some vault, basement or attic in a condition good enough to be refreshed. Nosferatu lived only due to the fact that it was released before the lawsuit requiring all copies be destroyed was lost. Since the film had already been released worldwide many copies survived to allow us to see max in his glory as Count Orlok.