Mother worked as a dancer for the Paramount Theater circuit
Contracted polio while in high school, but made a full recovery
Developed a friendship with Jack Webb on the set of Halls of Montezuma, who would later cast him in one of his best known roles as Officer Pete Malloy in the television series Adam-12
Was drafted into the Army in 1952 during the Korean War
Co-hosted a radio show about fishing called Let's Talk HookUp