Began performing as a child in school and local theater productions

Served in the US Air Force

Had featured role in the touring company of "The Music Man"

Toured in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"

Film debut in bit role in "Black Like Me"

NYC stage acting debut, "Harry, Noon and Night"

Toured in the stage musical "Mame"

Spent one season with the Center Stage in Baltimore, Maryland

Had featured role in "Rio Lobo"

Played the district attorney in the CBS pilot "Hawkins", starring James Stewart; reprised role on the series spin-off

TV series debut as regular, played Lt. Sam Church on the NBC detective series "Tenafly"

Portrayed policeman friend to Barry Newman's "Petrocelli" (NBC)

Co-starred in Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles"

Headed the family in the short-lived NBC summer sitcom "The Kallikaks"

Played title role in the short-lived NBC sitcom "Hizzoner"; also was series creator and co-executive producer

Played Branch Rickey in the short-lived Broadway musical "The First"

Co-starred with Dustin Hoffman in the Broadway revival of "Death of a Salesman"

Had title role in "Santa Claus: The Movie"

TV directorial debut, an episode of the NBC series "Our House"

Had recurring role as Grandpa Arnold on ABC's "The Wonder Years"; earned 1990 Emmy nomination

Co-starred in the above-average TV miniseries "In a Child's Name" (CBS)

Cast in title role of the Coen brothers "The Big Lebowski"

Succeeded Pat Hingle as Benjamin Franklin in the Broadway revival of "1776"

Played a Judge in the movie musical "The Producers," based on the stage musical by Mel Brooks and starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick