Played the role of Festus on TV's Gunsmoke and also sang with Sons of the Pioneers prior to becoming an actor.
He and his family lived above the local jail due to his father being the sheriff.
He was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame.
He married and divorced Barbara Ford in 1952 and 1964, respectively, and later married Torrie Connelly in 1966.
He replaced Frank Sinatra in the band, Dorsey.
