In 1962, he directed nine performances of the play J.B. by Archibald Macleish, which was the first major stage role for John Cazale. The original 1959 production of the play was the debut stage role for Christopher Walken.
Attended the University of Mexico in Mexico City and graduated from Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. He was in an artillery combat unit of the U.S. Army in World War II.