Born and raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan

Was considered a "problem" child due to unruly behavior; enrolled at Public School 45 at suggestion of juvenile authorities

Became an amatuer boxer

Served apprenticeship with Eva Le Gallienne's Civic Repertory Theatre; adopted stage name of Jules Garfield

Made NYC stage debut in Clifford dets' "Waiting for Lefty"

Starred in Odets' "Awake and Sing" on New York stage

Firmed stage stardom by starring in "Having a Wonderful Time"

Left cast of "Having a Wonderful Time" to appear in Group Theater production of "Golden Boy"; although Clifford Odets had written the leading role with him in mind, director Harold Clurman cast Luther Adler as Joe Bonaparte; instead played supporting role of a cab driver; left production when Warner Bros. offered a contract

Signed by Warner Bros.; appeared as an extra in several films

First feature film as actor, "Four Daughters"; received Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor

Played George Leach in "The Sea Wolf"

Left Warner Bros.

Starred in original version of "The Postman Always Rings Twice"

Was producer Irene Mayer Selznick's first choice to play Stanley Kowalski in the Broadway premiere of "A Streetcar Named Desire"; lost role because he would only commit to a four-month run in the play and he demanded first refusal of the film version

Had signature role in "Body and Soul"; played Jewish American buddy of Gregory Peck in "Gentleman's Agreement"

Last film, "He Ran All the Way"

Starred as "Peer Gynt" in stage production directed by Lee Strasberg

Acted in stage revival of "Golden Boy"