American character actor, renowned for his captivating portrayals of villainous roles, was born in White Plains, New York to Herman E. and Franceska Lauter. Raised in Denver, Colorado, he spent his formative years developing his acting skills, which would later serve him well in his illustrious career.
Although it has been suggested that he made brief appearances in a couple of films during the 1930s, his real movie career didn't begin until 1946. He quickly became a staple in low-budget films, serials, and television programs throughout the 1950s, solidifying his status as a familiar face on the small and big screens.
Despite never quite achieving stardom, he did come close to realizing his dream when he landed one of the lead roles in the television series "Tales of the Texas Rangers" in 1955. The majority of his career was spent playing serviceable second leads or heavies, although he continued to make appearances in larger films as a bit player.
Born into an artistic family, he was the son of an artist and developed a passion for painting. Late in life, he devoted much of his energy to his own artistic pursuits, running an art gallery and honing his painting skills. His remarkable life came to a close in 1990, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile character actor.