Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota

At age three, moved with family to Chicago (date approximate)

After graduating from Northwestern, enlisted in the US Navy; military service ended after a shipboard accident left him with a neck injury

Professional stage debut in small role of national touring company of "The Doughgirls" in Chicago

Toured in play "Up in Mabel's Room"

Appeared in a USO tour of Italy in "Ten Little Indians" during WWII

Moved to NYC

Broadway debut in "Strange Fruit", directed by Jose Ferrer

Served as assistant stage manager and bit player in "Cyrano de Bergerac", directed by and starring Jose Ferrer

Breakthrough stage role in "Mister Roberts"; also understudied Henry Fonda in lead role

Replaced Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" on Broadway and later toured in the role opposite Judith Evelyn as Blanche

During 1950s, appeared frequently as guest performer on TV programs like "Kraft Television Theatre", "Goodyear Playhouse", "Studio One", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "Playhouse 90" and "The Loretta Young Show"

Feature film debut in "Teresa"

Put under contract by MGM

Appeared in the Western "The Naked Spur"

Returned to Broadway to star in "Picnic" by William Inge; acted opposite Janice Rule

Reportedly turned down opportunity to recreate stage role in film version of "Picnic" because he didn't want to sign long-term contract with Columbia Pictures

Portrayed Mike Hammer in "Kiss Me Deadly"

Starred in the pre-Broadway tour of "Top Man", co-starring Lee Remick; show opened in New Haven and closed in Philadelphia

Reunited with "Picnic" co-star Janice Rule in "A Woman's Devotion", helmed by actor Paul Henried

Once again appeared opposite Rule in the "Playhouse 90" production of "Four Women in Black"

Had pivotal role as one of three French soldiers sentenced to the firing squad in "Paths of Glory", directed by Stanley Kubrick

Was in Broadway production of "Cloud 7" opposite Martha Scott

Had lead role of a police detective in Hawaii in the syndicated TV series "Not for Hire"

Starred opposite Carroll Baker in "Something Wild"

Appeared on Broadway in Ionesco's "Rhinocerous"

Played featured role in the NYC premiere of Arthur Miller's play "After the Fall"; future wife Salome Jens co-starred

Final Broadway appearance, "Mrs. Dally" opposite Arlene Francis

Had co-starring turn in "The Dirty Dozen"

Played featured role in the NBC "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation "A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer"

Was featured in the ABC movie "Lost Flight"

Acted in "The Anderson Tapes"

Co-starred in the ABC movie "The Night Stalker"

Last stage appearances in the L.A. production of David Rabe's "Streamers"

Made last TV appearance in an episode of "The Eddie Capra Mysteries" (NBC)

Final film, "Without Warning"