Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the level-headed Max Kellerman in "Dirty Dancing" (1987). Born Morris Weinstein, he was raised within a traditional working-class family. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, upon returning to civilian life following the end of the war, under the G.I. Bill, he attained his degree in theatrical arts from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, New York, he began his career as a leading man on the Broadway stage. While attending a luncheon at the prestigious Sardi's Restaurant, he was introduced to director Fielder Cook. Impressed by his average physique, dark good looks, and remarkable voice, 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 major role on an episode of "Lux Video Theatre". From there, he would go on to flourish as a notable character actor appearing in over 100 features; often typecast as husbands, fathers, relatives, boyfriends, blue-collared guys, doctors, politicians, lawyers, district attorneys, sugar daddies, judges, cowboys, policemen, bailiffs, deputies, sheriffs, detectives, reporters, athletes, retail clerks, doormen, managers, chauffeurs, curmudgeons, landlords, neighbors, eccentrics, scatterbrains, con-artists, sergeants, lieutenants, authority figures, historical or literary figures, and patriarchs. He appeared in such feature films as "Stage Struck" (1958), "Imitation of Life" (1959), "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" (1960), "The Honeymoon Machine" (1961), "It's Only Money" (1962), "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963), "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" (1964), "Mirage" (1965), "Wait Until Dark" (1967), "The Thomas Crowne Affair" (1968), "The April Fools' (1969), "A New Leaf" (1971), "Fuzz" (1972), "Marco" (1973), "The Ritz" (1976), "Cuba" (1979), "Can't Stop the Music" (1980), "The Four Seasons" (1981), "High Road to China" (1983), "The Longshot" (1986), "Rad" (1987), and "Short Circuit 2" (1988). On television, he appeared in various guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "Armstrong Circle Theatre," "Appointment with Adventure," "Perry Mason," "Peter Gunn," "Mike Hammer," "Rescue 8," "Rawhide," "Fibber McGee and Molly," "Playhouse 90," "The Real McCoys," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Markham," "Peter Loves Mary," "Harrigan and Son," "Shirley Temple's Storybook," "Route 66," "My Sister Eileen," "General Electric Theatre," "Dr. Kildare," "The Lawless Years," "The Twilight Zone," "Stoney Burke," "Gunsmoke," "Burke's Law," "Bewitched," "Laredo," "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre," "All in the Family," "Tales of the Unexpected," and "If Tomorrow Comes". 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 Temple Israel of Hollywood, had been the older brother of actor Anthony Spinelli, presided on his local charters of the American Red Cross and the Boys & Girls Clubs, had been a theatrical instructor for the Pasadena Playhouse, was one of the founding members of the Canyon Theatre Guild, had been the celebrity spokesman for Arnold's Breads, and he was married to character actress Marge Redmond from 1950 to 1980 and then to business executive Laurie Gilkes from 1993 until his death (his marriage to Redmon ended in divorce and he produced one child from his second marriage). Upon his 1988 retirement, he spent the remainder of his life being a regular attendee at autograph conventions, as well as being involved in charitable and religious causes until his death.