Worked briefly as an apprentice with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad after graduating from high school (date approximate)

Enlisted in the US Marine Corps; served two years as a musician with the Marine Corps band at Quantico VA

Made professional stage debut with Moss Hart and Kitty Carlisle in "The Man Who Came to Dinner" at the Olney Theatre in Maryland

Joined the newly formed Arena Stage in Washington DC; acted in 18 productions in a two-year period

Worked with several off-Broadway theatres in New York, including the American Lyric Theatre and the Equity Library Theatre

Had two-year career slump; worked as a theatre usher, deliveryman, hotel room clerk and TV camera operator; career picked up with his role in "Twelfth Night" and "The Merchant of Venice" with New York's Shakespearewrights Company (date approximate)

Made Broadway debut in "Tonight in Samarkand"

Brought to Hollywood by Paramount Studios; made feature film debut with a sizable supporting role in "Desire Under the Elms"

Played stalwart Adam Cartwright on the TV Western series "Bonanza"

Played the title role in the CBS-TV series, "Trapper John M.D."

Hosted TV series, "FBI: The Untold Stories"