Prior to becoming an actor, he had studied for a priesthood in the Church of England.
He was at one time fencing master at the Actor's Studio in New York, training, among others, Rip Torn and Gene Wilder.
Auditioned for the role of Aristead on the Dan Curtis Production "Dark Shadows.".
He appeared in two films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Chinatown (1974) and Network (1976). Both are winners in the Best Original Screenplay category.
