An American actor born in New York City, on March 15, 1910. He was married to Edna Stewart, they had three children, and she remained with him until his death. He began his artistic career as a tap dancer in the Cotton Club, and presented comedies on Broadway and on the radio. He also spent many years at the vaudeville theater. His film debut was in Prosperity (1932). His important works include: It's Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Silver Streak (1976), Song of the South (1946), and Gildersleeve's Ghost (1944). He died in 2000 at the age of 90.