An American film and television actor, he was born on August 30, 1908, in Kankakee, Illinois. He gained fame in the 1930s and 1940s as a versatile leading man, starring in classics like "Double Indemnity" (1944) and "The Caine Mutiny" (1954). Known for his affable on-screen persona, he later became a beloved figure on television as the patriarch in "My Three Sons" (1960-1972). His career spanned nearly half a century, with over 100 film credits. He passed away on November 5, 1991, in Santa Monica, California.