Biographie

As a child, his mother introduced him to movie stars like Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy so they could act as surrogate big brother figures to him. They often took him hunting and fishing.

Served as a gunnery officer in the United States Navy for more than three years during World War II.

He met the real-life Mrs. Eliot Ness when his biography was presented on This Is Your Life (1950) in 1960. He was clearly touched at her praise of his portrayal of her late husband.

World War II veteran who was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle Ribbon and Expert Pistol Ribbon.

Initially thought the television series Les incorruptibles (1959) would not work and only took this just to prove his point. Instead, the series became a success, and lasted four years.

If you're a star, you go through the front door carrying the roses, instead of through the back door carrying the garbage.

As a matter of national survival, we need to do the best we can to sponsor the good guys and to do something active about bringing down the bad guys.

I think there's a definite carry-over from Eliot Ness. Somebody once said, "You really think you're Eliot Ness." No, I don't think I'm Ness, but I sure as hell know I'm not Al Capone.

It's not what you are in Hollywood - it's what people think you are.

Well, I come from a military family. Whether it's the country or city, I never liked the bad guy. I never put my arms around John Gotti, Al Capone or Lucky Luciano. For me, very simply they were the bad guys. And when I did Les incorruptibles (1959), I told them going in, "If you try apologizing for any of these crumb bums, get someone else to play the part.".