Actor. He is best remembered for his recurring portrayal of the stern General Winifeld Schaeffer on the television series "I Dream of Jeannie". Born into a prominent theatrical family, he began his career as a radio actor appearing as a leading man in such programs as "Archie Andrews," "Lone Journey," "It's Higgins, Sir," "Meet Me in St. Louis," and "Myrt and Marge." In 1933, he settled in Los Angeles, California, and per the help of director Lew Landers he began a newfound career in the film industry beginning with his appearance in "Enlighten Thy Daughter" (1934). From there he would go on to flourish as a prominent character actor appearing in over 160 features in a 35-year career; often typecast as husbands, fathers, uncles, wealthy bachelors, aristocrats, mechanics, technicians, adventures, foreigners, immigrants, retail clerks, businessmen, salesmen, educators, doctors, lawyers, politicians, eccentrics, villains, heroes, aviators, soldiers, blue-collared guys, historical figures, farmers, neighbors, landlords, sidekicks, scientists, waiters, clergymen, sheriffs, cowboys, guards, policemen, corporals, reporters, detectives, judges, photographers, butlers, and patriarchs. He appeared in such full-length motion pictures as "Without Orders" (1936), "Danger Patrol" (1937), "The Mad Miss Manton" (1938), "When Tomorrow Comes" (1939), "Love, Honor, and Oh Baby!" (1940), "Tight Springs" (1941), "Saboteur" (1942), "It Ain't Hay" (1943), "Backfire" (1950), "The Girl He Left Behind" (1956), "Spartacus" (1960), "Police Dog Story" (1961), "Quick, Let's Get Married" (1964), and "Chamber of Horrors" (1966). With the advent of television, he became a household name appearing in various guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "Hour Glass," "Stage 13," "The Silver Theatre," "The Clock," "Lights Out," "Tales of Tomorrow," "Hallmark Hall of Fame," "Treasury Men in Action," "The Philco Television Playhouse," "Ethel and Albert," "Inner Sanctum," "You Are There," "The Man Behind the Badge," "I Spy," "The Way of the World," "Crusader," "Medic," "Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal," "Lux Video Theatre," "Those Whiting Girls," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Official Detective," "Whirlybirds," "M Squad," "The Loretta Young Show," "Dennis the Menace," "Checkmate," "Lock Up," "The Roaring 20's," "Tales of Wells Fargo," "Perry Mason," "The Donna Reed Show," "Ripcord," "Zorro," "Lawman," "Hawaiian Eye," "Lawman," "Arrest and Trial," "The Dakotas," "Gunsmoke," "Run for your Life," "The Munsters," "Hazel," "Hank," "Batman," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Petticoat Junction," "Pistols 'n' Petticoats," "That Girl," "Iron Horse," "Green Acres," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," and "The Outcasts." During his career, he was a a founding member, and later president, of AFTRA, was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, was an uncle too the famed actresses Rita Hayworth and Ginger Rogers, was a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, was active with the Hollywood Democratic Committee, served as a chairman for his local charters of the American Red Cross and the March of Dimes, was a theatrical instructor for the Pasadena Playhouse, and he was married to actresses Florence McEnany and Jean Owens (his first marriage lasted from 1929 until a 1930 divorce and his second union began in 1931, produced one child, and ended upon his death). After returning home one evening following a successful audition for the role of Larry Renault in a local production of "Dinner at Eight", he died unexpectedly from complications of a heart attack.