Born in near poverty in northern Michigan

Moved to Chicago with his family at age 14 (date approximate)

Was working as a railroad hand by age 15 (date approximate)

Moved with his mother to Tucson, Arizona

Left Eastern Arizona College to serve in the US Navy

Worked as a cattle truck driver before deciding to continue his higher education

Moved to NYC with $75 in his pocket after after graduating from the University of Iowa

Began studying with Stella Adler and won a two-year scholarship

Worked with the Actors Studio for three years

Replaced Robert Duvall in Arthur Miller's "A View From the Bridge" on the New York stage

Replaced Duvall in the Arthur Penn-directed Broadway production of "Wait Until Dark" when the actor broke his hip; continued in the role for two years

Feature debut, "Stiletto", a gangster drama

Acted on stage with Al Pacino in "The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel" and "Jungle in the Cities"

Recreated his role from the Broadway production of "Wings" for PBS's "American Playhouse" presentation

Portrayed Dave Moss in the Broadway production of David Mamet's play, "Glengarry Glen Ross"

Played the recurring role of insurance investigator Norman Keyes, the nemesis of "Remington Steele", on the popular detective detective series

First played the role of Mr. Strickland in Robert Zemeckis' "Back to the Future"

Widely seen as Stinger, a tough Naval commander who chastises Tom Cruise in "Top Gun"

Debut as a TV series regular, "Mary", a failed sitcom vehicle for Mary Tyler Moore (eliminated after three months when the show's format and time slot changed)

Provided narration for several installments of "America Undercover" documentary specials on HBO

Reprised the role of Strickland for Zemeckis's "Back to the Future II"

Cast as a regular on the short-lived (two episodes) series, "Sunset Beat", about a special team of cops who pose as bikers

Portrayed Marshal Strickland in "Back to the Future III"

Cast as a regular on "The Hat Squad", an eccentric crime series from executive producer/creator Stephen J Cannell