Began acting career on radio at the age of nine (date approximate)

Acted off-Broadway at age 20 in the play, "Bury the Dead"; studied acting with Uta Hagen and Herbert Berghof at their HB Studios (date approximate)

First taught acting to children at a community center in New York City's Lower East Side, the Henry Street Settlement, when he was in his early twenties

Broadway debut, "Saint Joan"; production starred Uta Hagen, with Hickey as an extra

Worked as assistant stage manager and actor in "Tovarich" on Broadway

Appeared on "Camera Three", "Philco Playhouse" and other live TV dramas in the 1950s

Film debut, "A Hatful of Rain"

Began teaching acting at the Herbert Berghof Studio in New York

First TV special, played the Artful Dodger in "Oliver Twist" ("Dupont Show of the Month")

Stage directing debut, "All You Need Is One Good Break" at the Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia NY

Joined American Shakespeare Festival Theatre in Stratford Connecticut for six seasons during the 1960s

Returned to feature films after a decade to act in Mel Brooks' fondly remembered satire, "The Producers"

Last film for six years, John Huston's "Wise Blood"

Acted in an off-Broadway revival of the Moliere play, "Don Juan", directed by Richard Foreman

Succeeded Philip Pleasants in the role of Ralph Waldo Emerson in the off-Broadway play, "Romance Language"

Returned to features to act a breakthrough role in another John Huston film, "Prizzi's Honor"; received an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actor

Began acting regularly on TV with a role in his first TV-movie, "Izzy and Moe"

Acted the role of Dr. Einstein on Broadway in the revival of the 1940s Joseph Kesselring farce, "Arsenic and Old Lace"

TV series debut as regular, "Baby Talk", an ABC sitcom in which he played the role of Fogarty

Played recurring role of Carlton Blanchard on the NBC sitcom, "Wings"

Final features, "Twisted" and "Mousehunt" (released posthumously)