Enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army on 9 January 1942 during World War II.
Ex-father-in-law of Deborah Hecht.
Father of actor Boris McGiver.
He was nominated for the 1974 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Guest Artist for his performance in "Da" at the Ivanhoe Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
His parents were Irish immigrants.
Initiated the "Do You Know Me" commercials for American Express
Was a teacher in the New York City public school system before becoming an actor. Left behind ten children at the time of his death.