Born on March 29, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia, he launched his career with a breakthrough role in "In the Heat of the Night" (1967). His portrayal of murder suspect Richard Hickock in "In Cold Blood" (1967) garnered critical acclaim. With a career spanning over five decades, he appeared in films such as "The Great Gatsby" (1974) and "Dead Man Walking" (1995). Known for his role as Hershel Greene on "The Walking Dead," he left a lasting impact on both film and television before passing away in 2018.