Attended Columbia University, where he first met and befriended singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen
Was the father of Finnish film writer and director Dome Karukoski
Took acting classes while suffering from writer's block and first began appearing in off-Broadway plays
Worked as a magazine writer and editor, poet, and playwright before becoming an actor
Was a United Nations diplomat in Lebanon and speechwriter for U․S․ Congressman Robert Steele
Quote: "[on "Blue Velvet"] "I am proud to have been in it․ My biggest regret is that I lost at least a third of my role in the editing room, the whole central arc of my character's actions․""
Best known for playing John Williams in "Blue Velvet" and Police Commander Swanson in "Hill Street Blues․"