King-sized American character who trained at AADA after serving with the
Air Force and has played everything from a vicious outlaw in Bad Company (1972), to Olson Johnson in Blazing Saddles (1974) to St. Nick
himself in Santa Claus (1985).
His wife told the L.A. Times that he considered his "crowning achievement" to be the role of Benajmin Franklin in the 1998 Broadway production of "1776" and in Washington, D.C. in 2003.
His early ambition was to attend the University of Virginia law school and go into politics.
Studied acting in New York on the G.I. Bill.
He grew up in Villamont, Virginia, where he often performed in community theater productions.
Alumnus of the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts), Class of 1958.