Born on January 31, 1921, in Chicago, he was a prominent American actor known for his roles in science fiction and Western films during the 1950s. He debuted in "Fort Apache" (1948) and gained fame with films like "Sands of Iwo Jima" (1949) and "Tarantula" (1955). Before acting, he served as a U.S. Army Air Corps sergeant during World War II. He was briefly married to Shirley Temple. His career spanned several decades, and he became a beloved figure in cult cinema. He passed away on April 7, 2002.