An American character actor known for his distinctive gravelly voice, he was born in 1908 in the Bronx, New York. He began his career in the 1930s, gaining recognition for his roles in films like "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town." His career was interrupted in the 1950s due to being blacklisted for alleged communist ties during the McCarthy era. He later revived his career in Europe and returned to the U.S. in the 1970s, gaining fame as Max on the TV series "Hart to Hart." He passed away in 1994.