Born in Winston-Salem, NC; educated at Elon College (NC, BA 1942). Studied voice at the Julliard School, served in the Army Air Force during World War II. Entered American film as an actor (WINGED VICTORY, 1944). After the war, he returned to New York City and in 1946 starred in his first major role as the villain Jigger in the Broadway production of Carousel, replacing the original actor and stage managing the production as well. For the next couple of years, he would continue to stage manage on Broadway. Throughout the 1950's Utt moved from Broadway and into the realm of producing television. Utt's first television engagements came when he was named associate stage manager for a few television shows, including Edward R. Murrow's "Studio One," which he also acted in, and "Person to Person." He later became producer of Ed Sullivan's first variety show, "Toast of the Town," and "The Dupont Show of the Month." Utt did not, however, abandon his theatrical roots when he got involved in TV; rather he assimilated the two, starring in the TV production of "Song for a Summer Night" in June of 1956. Soon after he landed a role on TV's "Thunder on Sycamore Street." In the early 1960's Utt became associate producer for the TV series "The Defenders" and "Coronet Blue." It wasn't until the late 1960's that Utt tackled the world of cinema. In 1968, Utt managed to get the job of production supervisor for a small film "Bye, Bye Braverman." He then moved into film production as a production supervisor, production manager and producer. Associate producer credits include THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES (1968), MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969), THE BOYS IN THE BAND and THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR (both 1970), THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971), GODSPELL (1973), ALL THAT JAZZ (1979), EYEWITNESS (1981), STILL OF THE NIGHT (1982) and POWER (1986). Producer credits include STAR 80 (1983), SOMETHING WILD (1986), MARRIED TO THE MOB (1988) and MIAMI BLUES (1990, co-producer). He was executive producer of PHILADELPHIA (1993).  Best Picture of the Year 1991: THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - Producer at Strong Heart/Demme (w. Edward Saxon & Ron Bozman) 1 nomination, 1 Award