Dropped out of college where he was a pre-med student and arrived in Hollywood in 1920 with aspirations to become an actor. Although he landed roles in several major silents (notably, in The Sheik (1921), and The Iron Horse (1924)) his acting career faded in the mid 1920's and he switched to screen writing and, briefly, even songwriting before becoming a director.
Father of Shy Waggner
Moved into directing in the late 1930's, mostly working in low budget westerns for Universal.
Wrote under the pseudonym, Joseph West.