A seemingly ubiquitous presence in films of the 1950s, this beefy
character actor drifted from one menial job to another before turning
to dramatics. He worked on the stage for several years before breaking
into movies in 1952. Typically played gruff characters -- sometimes
comic, sometimes menacing -- and essayed quite a few gangster roles as
well. He won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Animal in
Stalag 17 (1953), a role he had originated on Broadway. He also appeared in
Sailor Beware (1952),
Jumping Jacks (1952),
The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954),
The Seven Year Itch (1955),
The Man with the Golden Arm (1955),
Attack (1956),
Li'l Abner (1959) (as Romeo
Scragg),
The George Raft Story (1961),
Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962),
The Thrill of It All (1963),
The Family Jewels (1965),
Harlow (1965),
Frankie and Johnny (1966), and
Fort Utah (1967), to name a few, in addition to many TV shows in the 1960s and
1970s. He was incapacitated during the final years of his life, from a
paralytic stroke.
