Raised in Dorchester, Massachusetts

Professional stage debut in Bob Ott Musical Comedy Reperory Company in Boston

Appeared in "One Hour From Broadway" in Lukens, Pennsylvania

Toured in vaudeville

Acted onstage in "A Pair of Nifties" in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Broadway debut in "A Merry World"

Had stage success in "On Your Toes"

Put under contract at MGM; film acting debut as himself in "The Great Ziegfeld"

Played his signature role of the Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz"

Made one-shot appearance at RKO in "Four Jacks and a Jill"

Starred in "By Jupiter"

Toured in USO shows entertaining the troops

Had featured role in MGM's "The Harvey Girls", starring Judy Garland

Had one of his best stage roles in "Where's Charley?"; introduced signature song of "Once in Love in Amy"

Recreated stage role in the film version of "Where's Charley?"

Performed at the opening of the Hotel Sahara in Las Vegas

Starred in the ABC comedy series "Where's Raymond/The Ray Bolger Show" (ABC)

Hosted the variety series "Washington Square" (NBC)

Portrayed the Toymaker in "Babes in Toyland"

Returned to Broadway in "All American"

Made guest appearance on "The Judy Garland Show" (CBS)

Final stage role in "Come Summer"

Nominated in for an Emmy for his dramatic turn in the NBC TV-movie "The Entertainer"

Appeared in the NBC miniseries "Captains and the Kings"

Last TV-movie "Three on a Date" (ABC)

Final film, "The Runner Stumbles"

Underwent hip surgery

Narrated and co-hosted the compilation film "That's Dancing"