Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the staunch Lyman Mann in "Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round" (1966). Born William McVey, he was raised within a traditional working-class family. Following his public education at the Bay City High School, he began his career as a leading man in stock companies. Upon being introduced to director Robert Wise while attending a luncheon at the prestigious Sardi's Restaurant, he was so impressed by his slim physique, dark good looks, and distinctive 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 supporting role in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951). From there, he would go on to flourish as a notable character actor appearing in over 200 features; often typecast as husbands, fathers, relatives, wealthy bachelors, aristocrats, white-collared workers, doctors, educators, bankers, clergymen, policemen, detectives, reporters, bailiffs, guards, policemen, cowboys, sheriffs, sergeants, lieutenants, miliary men, authority figures, politicians, jurors, mayors, lawyers, district attorneys, landlords, neighbors, eccentrics, curmudgeons, technicians, druggists, servants, butlers, waiters, doormen, chauffeurs, con-artists, sugar daddies, historical or literary figures, salesmen, retail clerks, inspectors, managers, and patriarchs. He appeared in such feature films as "Washington Story" (1952), "From Here to Eternity" (1953), "The Caine Mutiny" (1954), "New York Confidential" (1955), "Friendly Persuasion" (1956), "Mister Cory" (1957), "Terror in Texas Town" (1958), "The Louisiana Hussy" (1959), "Young Jesse James" (1960), "That Touch of Mink" (1962), "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963), "Seven Days in May" (1964), "Banning" (1967), "Never a Dull Moment" (1968), "Hello, Dolly!" (1969), "The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler" (1971), and "The Strongest Man in the World" (1975). On television, he appeared in numerous guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "The Living Christ Series," "Rebound," "Gang Busters," "Four Star Playhouse," "The Colgate Comedy Hour," "Stories of the Century," "The Lone Ranger," "I Led 3 Lives," "The Man Behind the Badge," "Cavalcade of America," "Telephone Time," "Highway Patrol," "I Love Lucy," "Lux Video Theatre," "It's a Great Life," "You Are There," "Annie Oakley," "Broken Arrow," "Maverick," "Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal," "December Bride," "Navy Log," "State Trooper," "The Millionaire," "Buckskin," "Playhouse 90," "Gunsmoke," "Bourbon Street Beat," "Men Into Space," "This Man Dawson," "Perry Mason," "77 Sunset Strip," "Riverboat," "Peter Gunn," "The Tom Ewell Show," "Sea Hunt," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Tales of Wells Fargo," "Checkmate," "Saints and Sinners," "Dennis the Menace," "Dr. Kildare," "Hazel," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," "Wagon Train," "Channing," "Rawhide," "My Living Doll," "McHale's Navy," "The Virginian," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "Lassie," "Judd for the Defense," "Bonanza," "The Wild Wild West," "Death Valley Days," "Ironside," "All in the Family," "Eight is Enough," and "Highway to Heaven". During his career, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, had been a founding member of the AFTRA/SAG Credit Union, served as president of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, had been a theatrical instructor for the Pasadena Playhouse, served as a chairman for his local charters of the American Red Cross and the Boys & Girls Clubs, had been a member of the Hollywood Republican Committee, was a regular parishioner of the Episcopal church, was the celebrity spokesman for Arrow Clothing, and he was married to stage actress Lorriane Budge from 1937 to 1949, housewife Rita Stickelmaier from 1950 to 1970, and television personality Esther Geddes from 1971 until his death (his first and second union ended in divorce and his final union upon his death. He fathered one child from Budge and two from Stickelmaier). Upon his 1993 retirement, he spent the remainder of his life being a regular attendee at autograph conventions, and was involved in charitable and religious causes until his death.