After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, he started acting on stage, eventually heading theatrical companies in different cities. In Hollywood from 1930, first as dialogue director than as director/producer of second features for Paramount (1931-1933), then Universal (1934-1935). His most highly regarded film is The Eagle and the Hawk (1933).
Although his obituary in the New York Times claims he was 53 when he died, the California death records list his birth year as 1880, making him 61.
Survived by his son, Arthur H. Walker.