Biography

For many years he was the chief assistant to Orson Welles, whom he always regarded as a genius and to whom he was unfailingly loyal. After he had become a well-regarded film director in his own right, he would still frequently devote large sections of interviews to talking about Welles rather than about his own work, even when he had a new movie to promote. Many Welles scholars have made copious use of his encyclopedic knowledge of Welles's career.

During World War II he worked for the Operations Division of the Presentation Branch of the Office of Strategic Services and as head photographic officer for the Secretariat of the United Nations.

Taught directing at the University of Southern California film school.

Studied at the University of Denver but left before graduating to pursue an acting career in New York City.

Began as radio actor for Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre.