Inside Max Thieriot’s Family Legacy: From Firefighting Hero to Publishing Heir
Thanks to the breakout success of SEAL Team and the fiery CBS drama Fire Country, Max Thieriot is enjoying a new level of fame. But long before he played Bode Donovan—a troubled inmate-turned-firefighter battling his past—Thieriot was already part of a prestigious legacy that ties him to one of California’s most iconic publishing dynasties.
Fire Country has captivated audiences with its gritty portrayal of wildfire crews and redemption arcs, earning a Season 2 renewal. Thieriot’s portrayal of Bode—sentenced for armed robbery and unexpectedly stationed in his hometown as part of an inmate firefighter program—has struck a chord with viewers. But as Max commands screens, many are curious: who are the parents behind this rising star?
Max Thieriot is the son of George Cameron Thieriot and Bridgit Ann Snyder. While they may not be household names, they belong to the de Young family—founders of the San Francisco Chronicle. Max’s great-great-grandfather, M.H. de Young, co-founded the paper, which remained in family hands for generations until Hearst acquired it in 2000 for a reported $660 million.
The Thieriot legacy doesn’t end with print. In 1988, Cameron and Bridgit purchased a vineyard property that’s now part of Max’s winery business, Senses Wines. The property, “B.A. Thieriot,” honors his mother’s name and produces highly rated vintages from Sonoma’s prestigious coast.
Raised in Occidental, California, Max grew up alongside older sister Frances “Frankie” and younger brother Aidan. Frankie now runs a luxury leather goods line, while Aidan is a fashion designer with his own brand, Amavi Amor.
Off-screen, Max’s life is rooted in family. He married high school sweetheart Lexi Murphy in 2013 after proposing in the Caribbean, and the two are now parents to sons Beaux and Maximus. Whether he’s rescuing lives on screen or making wine off it, Max Thieriot’s journey proves that some legacies burn even brighter with time.
