Max Thieriot was born in Los Altos Hills, California, the son of Bridgit and George Cameron Thieriot. He has a sister, Frances, and a brother, Aidan. Thieriot was raised in Occidental, California and lives in Manhattan Beach. He graduated in 2006 from El Molino High School.

Max was signed to an agent after being noticed in an improvisation class. He modeled for GAP and appeared in two short films before being cast in his first feature film role, in 2004's Catch That Kid, a comedic thriller aimed at teenage audiences. He was subsequently cast in 2005's The Pacifier, playing one of the family members protected by a Navy Seal played by Vin Diesel.

Thieriot appeared in The Astronaut Farmer, released on February 23, 2007, as well as in the feature film version of Nancy Drew, released on June 15, 2007. He also plays a younger version of Hayden Christensen's lead character in Jumper. The same year, Thieriot appeared in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. He has also recently been cast in Wes Craven's 25/8, replacing Dennis Hopper's son Henry Lee Hopper.

Max enjoys hunting, basketball, wrestling, surfing, and snowboarding in his spare time and lists Johnny Deppas his favorite actor.