American actor known as the peremptory police Captain Dobey in the hit television series Starsky and Hutch. He had a break out role in the film One Potato, Two Potato in 1964.
He had several smaller roles when he first started acting including roles in The Jackie Robinson Story, Carmen Jones, and Kismet.
In addition to acting, he was an impresario, ran a nightclub/art gallery, and also produced Rhythm and blues and gospel music.
He was born in the same city that he died in, Los Angeles, California.
He had a role in the Luis Bunuel directed film The Young One.