Born in Norwood, OH. A one-time choirboy, he made his film debut in 1947 singing in the chorus of SONG OF LOVE (1947). He later attended a dance school in Hollywood and appeared as a dancer in such musical films as GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953), WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954), THE GIRL RUSH (1955), THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS (1954), BRIGADOON (1954), and MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS (1956). In 1957 he made his debut as a dramatic actor and in 1961 acted, danced, and sang as Bernardo in WEST SIDE STORY (1961), a performance that won him that year's best supporting actor Academy Award. His subsequent film roles, in the US and abroad, have been for the most part unrewarding.  Supporting Actor 1961: WEST SIDE STORY 1 nomination, 1 Award