Got into show business on his musicianship, appearing on vaudeville and in stage musicals, and once even led his own band. He broke solidly into films after Mae West caught his act and put him in a couple of her vehicles -- She Done Him Wrong (1933) and My Little Chickadee (1940).
Provided sidekick comedy relief in scores of late 30s and 40s "B" westerns opposite sagebrush stars Tex Ritter and Johnny Mack Brown.