For United Press syndication to daily newspapers in 1934, Wagner wrote "As Told To" multi-part autobiographies for Jean Harlow and Mae West.
Wagner sustained two broken ribs in a brawl with actor Vince Barnett in October 1936 during an event hosted by the Hollywood Photographers' Association at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Wagner was goading Barnett, who had a reputation as a practical joker, and Barnett lashed out with a punch to the face sending Wagner backwards over his chair and breaking two ribs.
Son of silent film director and writer Rob Wagner (II) and cousin of actor Henry Travers (I), actor Max Wagner (I), cinematographer Blake Wagner (I), screenwriter Jack Wagner (III) and cameraman Robert H. Wagner.