Born on January 8, 1912, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he became a prominent actor and director, known for his commanding presence and versatility. He achieved fame with his Tony Award-winning performance in "Cyrano de Bergerac" and later won an Academy Award for the same role in the film adaptation. His distinguished career spanned stage and screen, with notable performances in films like "Moulin Rouge" and "Lawrence of Arabia." He also directed and appeared in numerous Broadway productions.