Born on November 11, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois, he was an American actor celebrated for his intense performances in film noir and westerns. After studying at Dartmouth College, he served in the Marines during WWII. His career took off with roles in "Crossfire" (1947) and "The Set-Up" (1949). Known for portraying complex, often morally ambiguous characters, he worked in films like "The Wild Bunch" (1969) and "The Dirty Dozen" (1967). He was also a dedicated humanitarian and civil rights advocate until his death in 1973.