Actor, composer, songwriter, guitarist and author. He moved from
Broadway acting (1928-1932) into films, touring America with his wife
and daughter, and did some recordings. He was the executive producer at
the El Camino Playhouse in California. Joining ASCAP in 1953, his chief
musical collaborator was Perry Botkin. His popular-song compositions
include "Good Ship Lalapaloo" and "Two Shillelagh O'Sullivan".
Held the honorary rank of Commodore in the U.S. Coast Guard.
After he retired from the film industry, he became the executive director of the El Camino Playhouse in California, in which capacity he wrote, acted in and directed plays.
His favorite hobby was marlin fishing off the coast of southern California.
Buried at El Camino Memorial Park, La Jolla, California.