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Born in San Diego, CA; educated at Villanova. He acted in stock, uncredited in films, and on TV ("The Untouchables" series) before making an auspicious principal debut in Robert Aldrich's WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962), for which he received an Oscar® nomination. Subsequent film credits include 4 FOR TEXAS (1963), ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS and HUSH... HUSH, SWEET CHARLOTTE (both 1964), THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD and YOUNG DILLINGER (both 1965), THE SILENCERS (1966), WHO'S MINDING THE MINT? (1967), TARGET HARRY and BIG DADDY (both 1969), MOTHER and BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES (both 1970), NORTHWEST OF SEOUL and THE WRATH OF GOD (both 1972), ARNOLD (1973), MOONCHILD (1974), THE CHINESE CAPER and THE EVIL (both 1978), and THE MAN WITH BOGART'S FACE (1980). He appeared extensively in television, guest starring in series and made-for-TV movies.
Weighing 300 pounds, he was cast mostly as a heavy in a variety of Hollywood and Italian productions. American TV audiences eagerly looked forward to his appearances on Johnny Carson's "Tonight" show in the 70s, where he would read his poetry -- usually about food.
1 nomination |
Nominated for Supporting Actor