Born in 1916 in New Jersey, he grew up in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Initially a sailor, he became a model and later an actor in the 1940s. Known for his tall stature and commanding presence, he starred in films like "The Asphalt Jungle" and "Dr. Strangelove." Despite a successful career, he often expressed disdain for Hollywood, preferring a life at sea. He wrote an autobiography and several novels. He passed away in 1986 in California.