Born in New York City. The son of a hotel man, he began in show business as a child with a minstrel show. Later he was a song-and-dance man in vaudeville, appeared with Minsky's burlesque troupe, and also worked as a grocery clerk, golf caddy, and shoe salesman, among other things. He made his Broadway debut in 1937, playing a small part in Babes in Arms. Following a lead role in Stars in Your Eyes (1939), he was signed by MGM to a Hollywood contract. But it wasn't until he came back from WW II service, as a lieutenant, that he had starring roles, mostly with Fox, often in musicals about showbiz people (MOTHER WORE TIGHTS, 1947; GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY, 1948). He was nominated for a best actor Oscar® for WHEN MY BABY SMILES AT ME (1948). Other notable film credits cinclude MY BLUE HEAVEN (1950), I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE (1951), THE PRIDE OF ST. LOUIS (1952, as "Dizzy" Dean), THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS (1954), IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER (1955), MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS (1956), and PEPE (1960). From the late 50s he appeared mostly on the stage, in Las Vegas nightclubs, and on TV ("Four Just Men," "The Governor and J.J.," and "Faraday and Company").  Nominated for Actor 1948: WHEN MY BABY SMILES AT ME 1 nomination