Born in Detroit, Michigan. A former stage actor-director-producer, he wrote screenplays for many commercially successful Hollywood productions, alone or in collaboration, from the late 20s to the late 50s. Directed one routine film, HEAVENLY DAYS (1944). Some of his non-nominated writing credits include THE FOUR FEATHERS and THE VIRGINIAN (both 1929), HELL'S ANGELS and KISMET (both 1930), A BILL OF DIVORCEMENT (1932), THE BOWERY (1933), DAVID COPPERFIELD and WAY DOWN EAST (both 1935), THE SHOPWORN ANGEL (1938 - uncredited contributor to story), NEW WINE and THE CORSICAN BROTHERS (both 1941), THE HUMAN COMEDY (1943), THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY (1944), DAKOTA (1945), THE VIRGINIAN (1946), THE GIRL FROM MANHATTAN (1948), LONE STAR (1952), PASSION and CATTLE QUEEN OF MONTANA (both 1954) and THE BIG FISHERMAN (1959).  Nominated for Writing 1929-30: STREET OF CHANCE  Writing (Adaptation) 1930-31: CIMARRON 2 nominations, 1 Award