Born in New York City, he garnered rave reviews for his Broadway performance of the play A Hatful of Rain. When he reprised his role in the film version, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He followed that up with roles in several major films, including A Face in the Crowd, The Long Hot Summer, Period of Adjustment, The Pleasure Seekers and Rio Conchos.
In the late 1960s his film career began to fade, and he turned to television, starring in Valentine's Day, The Name of the Game and Matt Helm. When that career faded, his name faded as well.