Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the ruthless Machine Gun Kelly in "Ma Barker's Killer Brood" (1960). Born into a traditional working-class family, he began his career as a professional opera singer and leading man in stock companies. Upon being discovered by director Irving Rapper while performing at a private cocktail party, he was so impressed by his dark good looks, remarkable voice, and slim physique, that upon taking notice of his potential, he arranged for him to begin a career in the film industry beginning with him appearing under his supervision per a supporting role in "The Miracle" (1959). From there, he would go on to flourish as a notable character actor appearing in over 30 features; often typecast as husbands, fathers, relatives, henchman, gigolos, musicians, soldiers, sailors, guards, educators, cowboys, indigenous people, mythical or historical figures, sergeants, lieutenants, policemen, city slickers, landlords, neighbors, curmudgeons, eccentrics, and aristocrats. He appeared in such feature films as "Two for the Seesaw" (1962), "Island of Love" (1963), "Promises! Promises!" (1963), "Robinson Crusoe on Mars" (1964), "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965), "Beau Geste" (1966), "Hondo and the Apaches" (1967), "Super Seal" (1967), "The Story of Everything" (2006), and "Revamped" (2007). On television, he appeared in numerous guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "Cheyenne," "Gunsmoke," "Get Smart," "Time Tunnel," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "Batman," "Mannix," "Babylon 5," "Star Trek," and "Fatal Kiss." During his career, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, had been a member of the Hollywood Democratic Committee, was a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, was a vocal instructor for the Pasadena Playhouse, had been one of the founding members of the Canyon Theatre Guild, presided on his local charters of the American Red Cross and the Boys & Girls Clubs, sat on the board of directors for the Child Welfare League of America, was the celebrity spokesman for Penguin Books and Sears, recorded two solo albums, and he was married to business executive Christa Friedlander from 1961 to 1972 and financial agent Amelia Pryharsk from 1993 until his death (his first union ended in divorce and produced three children). Upon his 2007 retirement, he spent the remainder of his life being a regular attendee at autograph conventions, sang on cruise lines, and was involved in charitable and religious ventures until his death.