- Was the stuntman for Bill Elliott in Bullets for Bandits (1942), and performed one of the greatest stunts of all time in western films--underneath a team of hitched horses.
- Retired to Hawaii after his last film appearance in 1968 and learned to play the guitar and ukulele. Was living on his boat in Honolulu in 1973 when he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. He was rushed to a local hospital but died shortly after.
- Served in the US Army during World War II.
- Best known on-screen in the 1940s and '50s for playing western badmen.
- He and his father, John Merton, appeared together in six movies: Frontier Crusader (1940), White Eagle (1941), Gentle Annie (1944), Flame of the West (1945), Shadows on the Range (1946), and Jack Armstrong (1947).
- Son of John Merton.
- Uncle of Jim Sparks, Richard (Rick) Lane Sparks.
- Brother of Bob LaVarre.
- Nephew of André de la Varre.
- Cousin of André de la Varre Jr..
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