ट्रिविया

Tended beehives at his Malibu ranch house in later years. He owned his own solar heater and earned the nickname "The Wizard" from neighborhood children. At age 90 he was breeding birds and won trophies from several Southern California competitions.

Was an excellent horseman and fencer which served him well in westerns and dashing adventures.

His austere, authoritative looks were perfect for playing presidents, which he did several times during his career.

Before he was able to make a full-time living as an actor he held a variety of other jobs, including logger, lineman, fruit picker, fisherman and clam digger.

Served in the US Coast Guard during World War II.

With friend Woodrow Chambliss, he helped found the Ojai Valley Players, a theatrical group in Ojai, California, where he lived after the war.

Graduated from Centralia Junior College in Washington State and the Cornish Drama School in Seattle.

Children: sons James and Robert; daughter Kathleen.

Mother was a schoolteacher.