Attended The Haverford School, a standout in the Dramatics Club at this prestigious main line Pennsylvania prep school with classmate Bill Haskell, dad of L.A. actor-narrator Christopher. Graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1937.
He had three children: Lyle Jr., Frank and Paula.
He met his wife, radio and stage actress Mary Rolfe, while both studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. They appeared together in the Broadway play "Dance Night" in 1938 and married two years later.
In 1974, he moved to Paia, on the island of Maui, and retired from acting six years later.
Probably best remembered for his role playing Klaus, the jealous and mean-spirited elephant trainer in The Greatest Show on Earth (1952).
The son of Franklin Bettger, a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.