Round-faced American character actor, the son of a train conductor. On the New York stage from the early 1950's, he had previously formed and led several jazz bands and comedy trios, at one time performing in Manhattan nightclubs and Catskills resorts. For a while, he worked at CBS television as an usher. Later became a successful actor on stage and in TV dramas, sitcoms and commercials, interspersed with occasional films.