Remembered best for his starring role as Christopher Hale in the 1960s NBC and ABC western series Wagon Train, this popular character actor also appeared in numerous feature films, including Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle.
Though born in Spokane, Washington, he grew up primarily in Eureka, Montana. After attending the University of Southern California (in Los Angeles), he began his career in entertainment as a voice actor on a radio program called Tarzan and The Diamond of Asher.
He shared the screen with Henry Fonda in the 1957 film The Tin Star.
His marriage to actress Jeanette Nolan resulted in a daughter named Holly and an actor son named Tim.
He appeared with screen legend James Stewart in two 1950s western films: The Far Country and Winchester '73.