Introduced into the motion picture industry as a young man by his California neighbor, stunt pilot and actor
James W. Gavin, who suggested he would be ideal as a stunt performer doubling for children and actors with a smaller stature. First major film was
The Poseidon Adventure (1972), where he doubled for
Eric Shea. Went on to acting roles, beginning the following year with
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973).