Educated at Washington State College. Debut on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse in the early 1940s. Subsequently joined Warner Brothers as a contract player for juvenile leads in action films. He used the pseudonym "Michael Ames"' until 1944, for his appearances in B-grade material. Cast as the lead in the
Tennessee Williams production of "Summer and Smoke"' at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway in October 1948. Had several successful years on stage, but, given his earlier build-up, his later screen career proved desultory.
