Began his career as an actor, his best role was as Gail Russell's co-star in
The Bachelor's Daughters (1946). He later became a film editor, first at Republic Studios, then
for MGM.
Haffen was a film actor who went by the stage name of John Whitney in
the beginning of his Hollywood career. He later became a respected film
editor for both Republic Studios and MGM under his real name. He was
married to actress Marjorie Reynolds.