Born in Ottawa, Kansas. Entered American film as a title writer at First National for ONE YEAR TO LIVE (1925). He continued to write titles through 1929's CHINA BOUND, and then began writing dialogue, stories and screenplays at MGM. Notable credits include THE HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF 1929 (1929), THE FLORADORA GIRL (1930), STEPPING OUT, FLYING HIGH, THE CUBAN LOVE SONG and THE CHRISTMAS PARTY (all 1931), WHAT! NO BEER? and THE CHIEF (both 1933), SAN FRANCISCO (1936) and his last film, SARATOGA (1937). He married actress Grace Hayes, and his step-son was actor Peter Lind Hayes.    Nominated for Writing (Original Story) 1936: SAN FRANCISCO 1 nomination