Saved by the Bell was one of the most iconic shows of the 1990s. Following the lives of students at California's Bayside High School, the series became a Saturday morning television cornerstone and a pop culture phenomenon during its four-season run between 1989 and 1993.
Its popularity was largely driven by its breakout cast, which included stars like Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Mario Lopez, famous for their roles as Zach Morris and A.C. Slater.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesAmong the show's most beloved characters was Max, the magician who ran the gang's favorite diner, played by Ed Alonzo. While audiences remember Max for his curly hair and signature glasses, Ed looked completely different in a recent social media post.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesDespite typically sporting thick-rimmed black glasses and a voluminous hairstyle, Ed opted for a casual look in a photo shared in May. In the Instagram selfie, taken outside Joe's Italian Ice in California, he is seen wearing a baseball cap and a blue and white T-shirt.
Ed Alonzo's magic career
Just like Max, Ed is a magician in real life. The 64-year-old comedian and actor has worked with a number of A-list stars. He has created magic routines and illusions for pop stars Britney Spears and Katy Perry, and was also one of the magicians working on Michael Jackson's This Is It concerts.
© Getty ImagesEd's passion for magic began at a young age. While in his teens, he became one of the youngest magicians ever to perform at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. He has also received the Stage Magician of the Year award twice, and was named Magician of the Year in 2010.
Ed's acting roles
Alongside his magic career, Ed has appeared in a number of hit television shows.
While audiences best know him for playing Max on Saved by the Bell, he has guest starred on comedy hits like Full House, Murphy Brown, How I Met Your Mother and Modern Family.
© NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesHe also reprised his role as Max in the Saved by the Bell reboot, which ran for two seasons on Peacock between 2020 and 2021.
In recent years, he has performed his magic show on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
