Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the staunch Luke Pehelan in "The Devil's Brigade" (1968). After serving in the United States Army during World War II, upon returning to civilian life following the end of the war, he attained his degree in theatrical arts from the UCLA and began his career as a leading man on the stage in stock companies. Upon being introduced to director Robert Parrish during a luncheon at the prestigious Frank and Musso's Restaurant, he was so impressed by his dark good looks, slim physique, and booming voice, that he took notice of his potential and arranged for him to begin a career in the film industry beginning with him appearing under his supervision per a supporting role in "The Mob" (1951). From there, he would go on to flourish as a notable character actor appearing in over 100 features; often typecast as husbands, fathers, boyfriends, blue-collared guys, soldiers, sailors, authority figures, clergymen, cowboys, sheriffs, bailiffs, deputies, policemen, detectives, reporters, city slickers, eccentrics, landlords, neighbors, curmudgeons, gigolos, waiters, retail clerks, salesmen, doormen, bellhops, chauffeurs, historical or literary figures, indigenous people, foreigners, adventurers, managers, bankers, politicians, jurors, lawyers, district attorneys, and patriarchs. He appeared in such feature films as "On the Loose" (1951), "Sangaree" (1953), "Prince Valiant" (1954), "A Lawless Street" (1955), "The Creature Walks Among Us" (1956), "The Story of Mankind" (1957), "A Lust to Kill" (1958), "The Jayhawkers" (1959), "Guns of the Black Witch" (1961), "For Love or Money' (1962), "If He Hollars, Let Him Go!" (1968), "Blazing Saddles" (1974), and "The Great Gundown" (1977). On television, he appeared in numerous guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "The Lone Ranger," "Public Defender," "My Little Margie," "Cavalcade of America," "The Man Behind the Badge," "Warner Brothers Presents," "Crossroads," "Studio 57," "Cimarron City," "Maverick," "Tales of Wells Fargo," "Laramie," "Wagon Train," "Cheyenne," "Bus Stop," "Bonanza," "Rawhide," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Petticoat Junction," "Tarzan," "A Man Called Shenandoah," "Get Smart," "Death Valley Days," "The Lucy Show," "Kung Fu," "Gunsmoke," and "Fantasy Island". During his career, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, had been a cousin of actor Foster Brooks, was the official stand-in for actors Jack Elam and Clint Walker, had been a member of the Hollywood Democratic Committee, was a regular parishioner of the Unitarian Universalist church, presided as a chairman for his local charters of the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity, was the celebrity spokesman for Camel Cigarettes, and he was married to stewardess Betty Wright from 1947 to 1962 and character actress Alva Megowan from 1974 to 1981 (his first union ended in divorce and produced two children whereas his second union ended upon his death). Following his 1979 retirement, he spent the final years of his life managing his own restaurant, Megowan's Clubhouse, until his death.